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The removal of spider and small varicose veins by laser therapy is safe, effective and non-surgical. The laser is applied to the vein to be removed, delivering a series of light pulses to that vein. These pulses are able to target specific blood vessels without harming any surrounding tissue. The blood vessels in the spider veins are gently heated by the light pulses, which cause the blood to clot. This in turn causes the blood vessel to collapse and the blood becomes reabsorbed by the body as part of a natural healing process. The procedure takes just a few minutes and does not involve any incisions to the skin. It is non-invasive treatment and virtually pain free too. The procedure has been described as “a gentle burning sensation along the vein followed by a sharp pinch at the end” as the vein is sealed.

Questions:

What are Spider Veins?

Spider veins are small, dilated blood vessels with a bluish or red color located close to the surface of the skin. They are most commonly found on the legs and face, although they can appear anywhere on the body. In general they do not constitute a health hazard but they can cause a dull ache in the legs after long periods of standing.

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What are Varicose Veins?

Unlike spider veins, varicose veins can be harmful to the patient because they are sometimes associated with specific medical conditions such as Phlebitis (inflamed tender vein), Thrombosis (a blood clot in the vein) or Venous Stasis Ulcers (open sores from inadequate tissue oxygen and fluid retention).

These veins are actually an abnormally swollen or enlarged blood vessel caused by a weakened vein wall. The blood flows backward in the legs because of damaged or diseased valves in the veins. This can lead to pain and swelling in the leg.

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Who gets them and why?

The exact cause of spider and varicose veins is unknown. They are caused by excessive pressure on the legs or abdomen. They are more common in women, and seem to be hereditary. Some of the more common pressure inducers are pregnancy, obesity and standing for very long periods of time. Oral contraceptives can also lead to spider veins. Where pregnancy or contraceptives are the lead factor for spider veins, they tend to disappear without treatment within 6–9 months of either giving birth or discontinuing the contraceptives. A lack of physical activity could also lead to varicose or spider veins, because unconditioned muscles offer poor blood-pumping action. The risks increase with age.

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How many treatments will I need?

Most people notice significant improvement after 1-3 treatments. Some people may need further treatment, especially if new veins appear. Treatments can be repeated at 4-6 week intervals to allow for complete healing. If you have a tendency to develop spider veins you may need to have further treatment at a later date.

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How long does it take?

Depending on the size of the area to be treated the treatment usually takes about 15-30 minutes per session as the laser can treat large areas.

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Is it permanent?

Laser vein removal permanently removes the veins targeted at the time of treatment. However, there is no guarantee that you will not develop new spider or varicose veins in the future. This is especially true if there is a family history of spider or varicose veins, or if you become pregnant or take oral contraceptives.

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What are possible side effects?

Some people experience mild pigmentation changes after treatment, but these are temporary. Other patients suffer from slight swelling or redness in the treated areas, but again, this is temporary. Normal physical activity can be resumed after 24 hours in most cases, but care should be taken to avoid sun exposure and to wear a sunblock of 30SPF or higher. As with all information on this site you should always consult a medical professional.

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