Laser vein treatment, also known as endovenous laser therapy (EVLT
Endovenous laser treatment
Endovenous laser treatment is a minimally invasive ultrasound-guided technique used for treating varicose veins using laser energy commonly performed by a phlebologist, interventional radiologist or vascular surgeon.
Varicose Veins
A condition in which the veins enlarge due to malfunction of their valves causing improper flow of blood, and pooling as a result.
When to choose sclerotherapy vs. laser vein therapy?
- Spider veins on the face (In the hands of a skilled physician, laser treatments are considered to be the optimal way of treating spider veins on the face.)
- People with a fear of needles
- People allergic to the chemical used in sclerotherapy
- Treatment of areas with patches made up of many tiny blood vessels (known as telangiectatic matting)
What to expect with endovenous laser treatment?
These symptoms may include:
- Bruising – Mild bruising or discoloration may occur around the leg area. The bruising and skin discoloration only last about three months. ...
- Pain – Patients may feel mild pain after the procedure. After treatment, the leg may feel tender where the local anesthesia was placed. ...
- Swelling – The leg or ankle may begin to swell following the procedure. ...
What are the risks of vein surgery?
- Allergic reactions
- Bleeding
- Infection of the incision
Is laser vein surgery safe?
Yes, it is safe to opt for laser surgery for varicose veins. Laser surgery is an advanced and simplified procedure that cures varicose veins in a minimally invasive manner. The chances of infections and other postoperative complications in laser surgery are almost nil.
Is laser vein surgery painful?
We like to think of the treatment as free of pain, but not necessarily free of discomfort. The anesthetic we use should take care of any pain during the procedure, although you could feel some minor tingling or stinging.
How long does it take to recover from laser vein surgery?
After endovenous laser treatment, you should expect to wear compression stockings for one week or more. You should avoid strenuous exercises involving the legs (like weight training) for two to three weeks.
How long does laser vein surgery last?
Topical Laser Treatment While smaller veins may only take 15 minutes to be treated, larger veins may take up to an hour to be treated.
Does laser treatment for varicose veins work?
Endovenous laser treatment. Endovenous laser treatment closes veins about 94 out of 100 times. It doesn't work about 6 out of 100 times. If endovenous laser treatment does not close a vein, you will need a second treatment.
How long wear compression stockings after laser vein surgery?
After stitching the cuts, your surgeon will place compression stockings in your legs together with bandages. Healing can take anywhere from two weeks up to a month. You'll be advised to wear your stockings for about two to six weeks.
What should I do after laser vein treatment?
What happens after endovenous laser varicose vein surgery?Put an ice pack over the area for 15 minutes at a time, to help reduce swelling.Check the incision sites every day. ... Keep the incision sites out of water for 48 hours. ... Wear compression stockings for a few days or weeks, if advised.More items...
How many laser treatments does it take to get rid of spider veins?
To get the best results, you may need 2 or 3 treatments. A dermatologist can perform these treatments during an office visit. No anesthesia is needed. Laser treatments: Dermatologists use lasers to treat spider veins and small varicose veins.
Is it worth getting varicose veins removed?
Surgery can very effectively relieve varicose vein symptoms: In more than 80% of people who have varicose vein surgery, it improves symptoms like pain, swelling and itching or makes them go away completely, and their legs look better afterwards.
How long will my leg hurt after vein surgery?
Your Recovery Your leg may feel stiff or sore for the first 1 to 2 weeks. Your doctor will give you pain medicine for this. You can expect your leg to be very bruised at first. This is a normal part of recovery and may last 2 to 3 weeks.
What happens to varicose veins after laser treatment?
Laser heat damages a vein, which makes scar tissue form. This scar tissue closes the vein. A closed vein loses its source of blood and dies. After a year or two, the vein is likely to disappear.
Is vein stripping painful?
Vein stripping usually takes about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. You may receive either: General anesthesia, in which you will be asleep and unable to feel pain. Spinal anesthesia, which will make the lower half of your body feel numb.
Can spider veins get worse after laser treatment?
The veins will look worse before they look better and this will take up to three months after the last treatment. Skin staining and matting are the most common post-treatment side effects.
What is laser vein treatment?
Laser vein treatment, also known as endovenous laser therapy (EVLT), uses the power of light energy to irritate the lining of a varicose vein. As with other treatments, this irritation causes the vein lining to swell and seal shut. Blood moves through nearby veins as the treated vein breaks apart and fades from view.
How long does laser vein treatment take?
Laser light emitted from the fiber irritates the vein lining as the vascular surgeon removes the fiber. The entire laser vein treatment takes less than an hour. There are no special preparations for this outpatient procedure and you will be able to get up and walk around immediately after the procedure.
How does a vein doctor treat varicose veins?
Vein surgeons perform laser vein therapy for varicose veins. During the procedure, a vein doctor will insert a tiny laser fiber into the diseased vein, and then activate the laser as he or she pulls the fiber out of the affected vein. Laser light emitted from the fiber irritates the vein lining as the vascular surgeon removes the fiber.
How does the circulatory system compensate for a missing vein?
Your circulatory system compensates for the missing vein by routing blood flow to other healthy veins nearby.
Does laser vein treatment help with spider veins?
Laser vein treatment causes very little discomfort. While laser vein treatment effectively reduces the appearance of existing varicose veins, it does not prevent new varicose veins from developing. For more information on reducing your risk of developing more varicose veins, talk with your vein doctor. If you have varicose veins or spider veins, ...
How Does Laser Vein Treatment Work?
There have been significant innovations with cosmetic lasers including advanced machines that:
Why Are Some Veins Problematic?
Veins carry blood from your heart to different parts of your body. They are designed to only have blood flowing in one direction. When the valves that control blood flow do not work properly, blood is allowed to flow back into the vessels. This is described as venous insufficiency.
Laser Vein Therapy Offers New Solutions to Common Problems
Spider veins can affect 50% of the adult population and varicose veins affect 3 in 10 people. These unsightly veins can impact your confidence. Talk to our expert team at the New England Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center in Weymouth, MA to learn how we can help you deal with your problem veins.
What exactly are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are knotty, discolored, and twisting veins people often notice on their legs. They are usually caused by blood pooling in the legs. They appear when the valves in your veins weaken and allow the blood to collect in one place. Once the blood gets collected in a vein, it becomes enlarged and swollen and turns blue or dark purple.
What is laser vein treatment?
One of the most common procedures that prove to be very efficient against varicose veins is laser vein treatment. The science behind the procedure is quite simple. Dermatologists direct the laser light at the vein. The heat from the laser damages the vein walls and seals the vein. Thus, the vein gets closed and loses its source of blood.
What to expect during the procedure?
The simplicity of the procedure is part of what makes it so appealing. The whole process happens on the surface of the skin. The patient will be provided with eye protection against the laser and the area will be cleaned and prepared for the laser. The heat energy from the laser may create some discomfort as it’s applied along the target veins.
Are there any side effects of laser vein treatment?
Laser treatment is considered to be safe for most patients. However, it is recommended to always discuss this option with your doctor and see what type of varicose vein treatment is best suited according to your needs and medical history.
How long do the effects of laser vein treatment last?
Most patients need at least two or three treatment sessions, and the full effects are visible in about eight weeks. Small spider veins usually disappear immediately after the treatment, while larger varicose veins will darken and need 1 to 3 months to disappear.
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A closer look at endovenous laser therapy
Endovenous laser therapy is one of the most popular methods used for treating varicose and spider veins. Endovenous laser therapy uses laser light to heat and shrink spider and varicose veins. The therapy also closes off the faulty vein so that blood does not flow through it, preventing the vein from swelling again.
How endovenous laser therapy works
The procedure is typically performed by a vascular surgeon or vein specialist. The procedure does not require you to be sedated, but the specialist might administer a topical pain killer to numb the area.
Risks of complications of endovenous laser therapy
The risks and complications range from minor to serious, although the serious complications are not as common.
How long does it take for a laser vein to shrink?
The vein will close up and should eventually shrink. The procedure usually takes less than an hour.
What is the procedure to reduce varicose veins?
Endovenous laser varicose vein surgery is a procedure that uses heat from a laser to reduce varicose veins. Varicose veins are swollen, bulging veins that often happen on the thighs or calves. A laser is a device that sends a thin beam of radiation in the form of light. Laser surgery closes and shrinks the varicose vein ...
What to wear after laser varicose vein surgery?
Bring loose-fitting clothing to wear right after your surgery. Generally, endovenous laser varicose vein surgery follows this process: You’ll change into a hospital gown and lie down on an exam table. The table may be tilted in different positions during the procedure.
Why do I need endovenous laser surgery?
Why might I need endovenous laser varicose vein surgery? Your healthcare provider may suggest laser surgery if your varicose veins are sore, or red and swollen (inflamed). Laser surgery may also be recommended if the skin over your varicose veins is irritated.
Why do you wear glasses during a laser vein surgery?
You may be given special goggles or eyeglasses to wear during the surgery. This is to protect your eyes from the laser light. Your healthcare provider will numb the area where the tube or catheter will be put into your vein.
How does a Doppler ultrasound work?
This process uses sound waves to make an image of the vein on a computer screen. Your healthcare provider will make a small cut or incision in your skin and insert the catheter.
Can you stop taking aspirin before a clot?
Let your healthcare provider know if you are taking any blood-thinning medicines, aspirin, ibuprofen, or other medicines that affect blood clotting. You may need to stop taking these medicines before the procedure.
