Laser treatment for facial spider veins before and after

Get your laser facial veins treatment at the Rocky Mountain Laser Center at Colorado Springs Dermatology Clinic, P.C. We offer Vbeam Perfecta, VascuLight, IPL/PhotoFacial technologies.

Laser Treatment for Facial Veins

Today’s advanced laser and light treatments offer fast, easy and effective ways of reducing or even eliminating facial spider veins (formally called telangiectasia). To treat veins, the targeted beam of laser light seeks the pigment in the blood, heating up and destroying the small vein. Because the laser is so precisely focused, it does not harm surrounding skin tissue. Within a period of four to six weeks, the damaged vein in reabsorbed by the body and disappears, leaving the complexion with a more youthful, even, healthy look. Because spider veins tend to be recurrent, additional procedures may be required over time.

Laser treatment for facial spider veins before and after

Who is a candidate for laser therapy?

Most people are able to undergo laser therapy for facial veins. However, people with diseases of the blood vessels or bleeding and/or scarring problems may not be good candidates. Prior to undergoing treatment, you will have a skin evaluation to determine the best type of laser to use and to ensure that your veins are not varicose veins. Although laser therapy is useful for spider veins, it is not used on varicose veins.

What kinds of medical lasers are used for spider veins?

Several different types of laser are used to treat facial spider veins. Intensive Pulsed Laser (IPL), Vbeam Perfecta®, VascuLight® and the Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL) are among the most popular systems for treating this condition.

How does the laser work?

The laser works by piercing the skin and penetrating the blood vessel, at which point the laser-generated heat coagulates the blood within the vein and causes it to collapse and seal over. Gradually, over a period of weeks, the vessel will disappear.

How do I prepare for the procedure?

Preparation for facial spider vein treatment is minimal. Avoid sun exposure, alcohol and anticoagulants like aspirin for at least a week before treatment. Creams, lotions and moisturizers should not be applied to the areas to be treated prior to your appointment.

What happens during treatment?

Normally, only very small superficial veins are treated and the entire process takes less than an hour. Although most patients report minimal discomfort, some patients may be more at ease if a topical anesthetic is applied prior to the procedure. To protect eyes from the intense laser beam, they will be covered by opaque protective goggles. The laser itself has a cooling system that reduces any burning sensation. Generally, patients report a mild tingling sensation as the laser files.

What can I expect after treatment?

After treatment, you may feel a slight bump underneath the treated area, which should disappear within a few hours. Skin may be temporarily redder and have a cat-scratch like appearance. Very occasionally, there may be slight bruising or crusting over. After therapy, the spider veins will gradually change in color and disappear, most within two to four weeks.

How many treatments will I need?

A series of two to six treatments spaced four to six weeks apart are normally needed. Additional treatments may be needed if new veins continue to appear.

Are there other facial vein treatments besides standard laser therapy?

Yes, IPL/PhotoFacial may also be used to reduce or eliminate facial spider veins. In Intensive Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment, pulses of filtered light target and reduce or erase broken veins on the skin’s surface without damage to surrounding tissue. IPL differs from standard laser treatment in that the device emits different wavelengths of light rather than the single wavelength of a laser. Consequently, IPL is able to treat combinations of skin issues rather than the single target of laser therapy. Treatment is fast, convenient and comfortable and offers rapid recovery. Mostly used to treat the face and neck, the procedure can be performed in as little as 30 minutes.

For patients with spider veins, wearing shorts, swimsuits, or other types of clothing that expose the unsightly veins can leave a person feeling dissatisfied with their overall appearance. Spider veins can be particularly debilitating for men and women who develop the condition on their faces, as they can be much harder to conceal in everyday life. Makeup is often not enough to cover facial spider veins.

Fortunately, revolutionary advances in cosmetic dermatology and med spa treatments now offer patients convenient, effective options for addressing and correcting spider veins on the face and body. The highly trained medical team at Spa 361 at the Dermatology and Skin Cancer Institute, which includes medical director Dr. Aradhna Saxena and board-certified dermatologist Dr. David Kasper, has treated numerous patients in the Greater Philadelphia area with laser therapy, dramatically reducing the appearance of spider veins. To determine if laser spider vein therapy may benefit you, it is important to first have a basic understanding of the condition, the treatment options available, the results you can expect, and what makes an ideal candidate.

When small blood vessels under the surface of the skin are dilated or damaged, they can burst, resulting in spider veins. These webbed, branching clusters of veins are usually dark red, purple, or blue in color, making them difficult to conceal with makeup. Though they are generally painless and usually pose no health risk, spider veins can be detrimental to a person's self-confidence and can occasionally be accompanied by itching or a rash.

Who is at risk for spider veins?

Spider veins can affect anyone, but there are a number of factors that may make one person more likely to develop them than another. The most common risk factors for spider veins:

  • Genetics: If your mother, father, or another close relative had spider veins, you may be more likely to develop them.
  • Age: In general, older patients develop spider veins more often than younger men and women.
  • Pregnancy: Pregnant women experience a fluctuation in hormones that can lead to dilated or broken blood vessels, though they usually disappear after pregnancy.
  • Sun exposure: Patients who have had long-term or excessive sun exposure run a higher risk of developing different symptoms of skin damage, including spider veins.
  • Alcohol abuse: Excessive alcohol consumption can result in spider veins due to the vessel-dilating effects of alcohol.
  • Pressure: Intense pressure, including altitude or even a strong sneeze, can cause blood vessels to burst and spider veins to appear.

How can I get rid of my spider veins?

It is essential that patients seek treatment at the first sign of spider veins, as they tend to become worse over time. Getting rid of your spider veins in Lansdale, PA, has never been easier or more convenient. Spa 361 at the Dermatology and Skin Cancer Institute offers a variety of treatment options for spider veins. An excellent method for treating spider veins is laser therapy.

Which laser therapy works best for treating spider veins?

Spa 361 at the Dermatology and Skin Cancer Institute is committed to providing the most current and effective therapies available and offers a variety of laser spider vein treatments. Laser treatment for spider veins involves:

  • A noninvasive, focused, heat-based treatment that destroys the underlying spider veins with minimal damage to the surrounding skin, though some redness or hives may occur.

One of the most attractive benefits of laser treatment of spider veins is that it permanently destroys the vein, allowing patients to enjoy their new look for years to come. However, it is important to keep in mind that new spider veins can appear, which can be safely treated with a second or subsequent laser session. Your provider at Spa 361 at the Dermatology and Skin Cancer Institute will evaluate your case, discuss your goals, and recommend the most appropriate laser facial spider vein treatment for you.

How can I prevent spider veins?

While it may be impossible to prevent spider veins altogether, there are a number of things you can do to lessen your chances of developing them:

  • Avoid sun exposure
  • Exercise regularly
  • Wear loose, unrestrictive clothing
  • Reduce the amount of daily pressure on your legs
  • Maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle

How can I find out if laser spider vein removal is right for me?

The best way to determine if laser therapy may be effective in treating the spider veins on your face and body is to consult a qualified, experienced technician. Call Spa 361 at the Dermatology and Skin Cancer Institute in Greater Philadelphia, PA, to schedule your consultation and learn more about how laser spider vein treatment can enhance your look and boost your confidence.

How long does it take for facial veins to disappear after laser treatment?

Laser Treatment for Facial Veins Because the laser is so precisely focused, it does not harm surrounding skin tissue. Within a period of four to six weeks, the damaged vein in reabsorbed by the body and disappears, leaving the complexion with a more youthful, even, healthy look.

How many treatments does it take to get rid of spider veins on face?

Typically, we recommend one to two treatments. You may need four to six treatments to achieve your desired result. Although each person is different, the majority benefit from laser spider vein treatment and see results within four to eight weeks.

Do facial veins come back after laser treatment?

Laser removal, however, doesn't prevent our body from aging or forming new blood vessels. Over time, new spider veins can show up on different areas of your body or in the same place you were treated. The old spider veins will be gone, but know that it's possible for new ones to appear.

Do spider veins go away with laser?

Laser treatments: Dermatologists use lasers to treat spider veins and small varicose veins. During laser treatment, your dermatologist directs the laser light at the vein. Laser light can destroy the vein without damaging your skin. Small spider veins may disappear immediately after treatment.