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Swollen, twisted, and enlarged veins with a purple or bluish color sometimes form just under the skin. These are known as varicose veins and are caused by weakening of the valves and walls of the veins, resulting in the blood flowing backward. Spider veins are similar, but are smaller and closer to the skin’s surface. On the face, these visible vessels are often linked to sun damage or an underlying condition such as rosacea. Laser treatments are the most effective way of removing dilated or broken vessels. At Radiance Skin Therapy, we offer laser vein treatment for Madison-area women and men with our Aerolase 1064 YAG laser and Alma Harmony VascuPen, ideal for reducing facial spider veins and much more.
To explore options for laser vein treatment, contact Madison, WI's Radiance Skin Therapy & Laser Center. Call 608.240.0088 or fill out a contact form to request a consultation.
Each laser vein treatment involves a highly focused beam of light focused on the target area. The light energy damages visible veins by heating up pigmented cells in the blood, triggering the formation of scar tissue. Eventually, this scar tissue closes off the vein, which withers away after being cut off from the rest of the circulatory system. This does not impede circulation, as blood is simply routed through other, less-visible vessels to get where it needs to go.
Laser vein treatment is beneficial for several vascular skin problems, which are skin conditions that affect the blood vessels. These include superficial spider veins (known as blue or red telangiectasias), cherry angiomas, and redness due to rosacea. It can also treat capillary formation around the nose and small spider veins on the legs that may be resistant to sclerotherapy.
Patients often try laser vein treatment if IPL hasn’t been effective, as the laser has a wavelength of 1064 nm, enabling it to penetrate deeper layers of skin tissue. With any laser treatment, patients may experience some irritation and tenderness during the process, but the sessions are typically well tolerated, and we work to make them as comfortable as possible.
Neo Elite by Aerolase is a versatile 1064 nanometer Nd:YAG laser designed for patients of all ages and skin types. With FDA clearance for addressing 36 skin concerns, the device is used for tightening and overall skin rejuvenation—including targeting spider veins. The versatile, high-powered laser vein treatment has a short pulse duration, which enables it to provide beautiful results without the need for anesthetics, skin cooling, significant discomfort, or the risk of adverse effects associated with some previous generations of lasers. The Radiance Skin Therapy team has found this laser to be an advanced and highly effective option for patients seeking a solution to the problem of spider veins on the face and elsewhere.
Patients who are bothered by the cosmetic appearance or discomfort caused by abnormal veins may be good candidates for laser vein treatment, as long as they follow aftercare instructions and maintain realistic expectations. If other methods such as weight loss and exercise haven’t been helpful, it may be time to consider laser vein treatment. Ideal candidates are non-smokers, are in good health, and don’t have the tendency to form keloid scars. Patients who want to remove severe varicose veins may need to have a surgical procedure.
Once treated with the 1064 YAG laser or VascuPen, vascularity on the face and body can show a reduction or a total removal. Veins may fade away completely within a year or two after laser vein treatments.
Patients can return to many of their normal activities after laser vein treatment, though they may experience mild bruising that goes away within a week or two. However, you should avoid activities or environments that create heat in the skin such as hot tubs and saunas for a few days as the skin heals after each laser vein treatment. There may also be some swelling that persists for a few days.
A patient’s treated skin eventually looks more even, uniform, and youthful when the veins clear. Additional maintenance laser vein treatments may be required if new veins form over time. Patients may need three to four initial laser vein treatment sessions to get the best results.
Since your skin will be more sensitive to photodamage following a laser vein treatment session, we recommend that you avoid direct sun exposure for two weeks after, and wear sunscreen each day to protect your skin and sustain your results.
Along with laser vein treatments, Radiance Skin Therapy and Laser Center also offers photorejuvenation with intense pulsed light (IPL), which is a gentle, light-based treatment for reducing redness on the skin. IPL damages the walls of the dilated blood vessels, which are then re-absorbed into the skin. Non-ablative laser skin resurfacing is also an option for improving the general tone and texture of the skin.
Iris Dye-VL is a component of Alma Harmony that uses IPL to reduce vascular lesions and dyschromia. Non-ablative laser skin resurfacing with ClearSkin Pro laser by Alma® is also an option for improving the general tone and texture of the skin. CoolPeel is a CO2 fractionated ablative laser that improves skin texture, tone, pore size, and more.
If you're interested in learning about laser vein treatment, contact Madison, WI’s Radiance Skin Therapy & Laser Center today. Call 608.240.0088 or submit a contact form to schedule a consultation.
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