Treatment FAQ

how safe is laser treatment for varicose veins

by Dayana Bogan Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Laser therapy is a safe and time-proven method that improves the overall appearance of varicose veins, and causes little, if any discomfort with no downtime. There are many benefits to using laser treatments against varicose veins large and small when done by a certified surgeon.Jun 2, 2022

Is laser varicose vein removal safe?

Laser treatment, specifically EVLA, is fundamentally very safe. There are risks with any medical procedure, and with EVLA bruising or a burn to the skin are possible, as well as complications leading to a blood clot or deep vein thrombosis.

What is the safest treatment for varicose veins?

VenaSeal. VenaSeal, one of the newest varicose vein removal treatments available, is a proprietary adhesive used to close troublesome superficial veins. It is an FDA-approved and medical grade product designed to be gentle, flexible, and harmless.

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

How Long Does it Take to Make Varicose Veins Disappear? You should start to notice a difference in the prominence of your varicose veins within one week of treatment, but full results could take weeks to months.

What are the side effects of laser treatment for varicose veins?

Some possible risks of laser varicose vein surgery include:Infection.Pain over the vein.Bleeding.Bruising.Nerve damage.Redness or swelling (inflammation) of the vein.Blood clots.Changes in skin color over the treated vein.More items...

What is the best treatment to remove varicose veins?

Laser treatment sends strong bursts of light onto the vein, which makes the vein slowly fade and disappear. No cuts or needles are used. Catheter-based procedures using radiofrequency or laser energy. This procedure is the preferred treatment for larger varicose veins.

Can you get rid of varicose veins without surgery?

Minimally invasive options exist, and most problem veins — from the tiniest spider veins to larger varicose veins — can be treated without surgery. Newer techniques include the use of heat, glue or a solution injected directly into the veins. Treatment for varicose veins should be personalized to the individual.

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.

Do veins grow back after removal?

Unfortunately when veins grow back again after trauma, they never have any valves in them. Therefore, when varicose veins are removed, the veins grow back again and there are no valves in them at all.

Does laser surgery on varicose veins hurt?

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.

Can laser vein removal cause clots?

In fact, endovenous laser treatment will actually improve venous health, but if left untreated, varicose veins are progressive and will only become worse. The most serious complication associated with endovenous laser ablation is deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in a deep vein).

What are the risks of removing varicose veins?

What Are The Risks Of Varicose Vein Surgery?allergic reaction to the numbing solution or local anesthetic that's used.infection at the or near the incision site.nerve injury that can cause long-term numbness near the treatment site.heavy bleeding.pronounced scars.blood clots.injury to the vein or surrounding tissues.

What happens if varicose veins are left untreated?

If left untreated, varicose veins usually result in excess blood leaking into the tissues of the leg. The patient will experience painful swelling and inflammation as parts of their skin become dark and discolored. This condition is known ashyperpigmentation.

Is Laser for Varicose Veins Safe?

Treatment for varicose veins has advanced since the days of surgical stripping. A procedure which required a hospital stay and lengthy recovery per...

How does laser treatment actually work?

A laser is a highly focused beam of light. When treating varicose veins, a laser is placed at the tip of the catheter and is inserted into the dama...

What type of laser treatment is available for varicose veins?

The most common laser treatment is Endovenous Laser Ablation Therapy (EVLA), here are a few of the key benefits: The treatment is the minimally inv...

Differences between EVLA and RFA?

Although the differences between the two procedures are minimal, a vascular specialist will need to decide which one will best treat your varicose...

How do I know if EVLA is right for me?

If you are dealing with painful varicose veins, cramping, swelling, or restless leg syndrome. Chances are EVLA is right for you. EVLA focuses on th...

Is laser treatment painful?

Before your procedure, a local anaesthetic will be applied on your leg. This is a really important part of the procedure. Using a pump or manual sy...

Is Laser for Varicose Veins Safe?

Laser treatment, specifically EVLA, is fundamentally very safe. There are risks with any medical procedure, and with EVLA bruising or a burn to the...

How to prepare for laser varicose vein treatment?

The vascular specialist who will carry out the procedure will likely discuss the following with you: You may be advised to stop taking blood-thinni...

What happens post-treatment?

Bruising is not uncommon after laser treatment, but an interesting symptom that you may suffer from is a feeling that you have a rope in your leg!...

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.

Laser Treatment for Varicose Veins: Remove Them!

Do you have big purple and blue veins bulging up on your legs? You’re not alone. Over 50% of Americans older than 50 have varicose veins somewhere on their bodies. So how do you get rid of these ugly monsters? Laser Vein Treatment!

Laser Vein Treatment 101

If you read our article Laser Vein Treatment for Spider Veins, then you can skip this part. That’s because the laser treatment basically works the same way for both varicose and spider veins. There are some differences, though, in things like recovery time and aftercare, so make sure to check those sections out.

Varicose Vein Laser Treatment Aftercare

Your veins need time to heal and remain closed. If you want to recover as quickly as possible, you need to follow your provider’s aftercare instructions as closely as possible.

Is Laser Treatment Good For Varicose Veins?

You decide. In our opinion, here at Denver Vein Centers, the answer to this question is a resounding yes. But we’re biased because we’ve had hundreds of clients walk out of our doors happy – free of varicose and spider veins. Contact us for a consultation today!

How to treat varicose veins?

No matter what procedure you choose, it can only treat existing varicose veins. New ones may develop, but you can take steps to limit them, including: 1 Watch your weight 2 Exercise regularly 3 Raise your feet when you sit 4 Don’t cross your legs when you sit 5 Don’t wear tight clothes

What is the best way to remove varicose veins?

You and your doctor may decide that the best plan is to remove your varicose veins. There are 2 procedures to do that: Ambulatory phlebectomy: This is the less complicated procedure, and it is used to remove varicose veins close to the surface of your skin.

How does endoscopic vein surgery work?

Endoscopic vein surgery: This procedure uses a small camera on a tiny tube. Your doctor threads it into your vein through a cut in your skin. They use a surgical device at the end of the tube to close your vein. You probably won’t need this procedure unless your varicose veins cause severe skin ulcers.

How to treat varicose veins during pregnancy?

Sclerotherapy. Varicose Veins During Pregnancy. The first line of treatment for your varicose veins -- those knotty, enlarged, and discolored veins caused by blood pooling in the legs -- usually involves lifestyle changes and compression stockings. But you might need a medical procedure. Your doctor may recommend this if your varicose veins cause: ...

What is the procedure to close a vein?

Microsclerotherapy: It’s similar to sclerotherapy but uses a smaller needle to treat smaller varicose veins. Laser therapy: Your doctor closes off the vein by zapping it with bursts of high-intensity light. They don’t need to make any cuts or use any needles in this procedure. It’s used mostly for smaller varicose veins.

What happens when a vein is closed?

When your doctor closes off a varicose vein, your blood flow simply shifts to other veins. After the vein is closed, it fades away. Several types of procedures can do this. They include: Sclerotherapy: Your doctor injects a solution into the vein that causes it to scar.

How long does it take for a vein to close?

You may need several treatments -- usually 4 to 6 weeks apart -- to completely close off a vein. You won’t need anything to numb you, and the only discomfort you’ll feel will be the sensation of small needle pricks from the injections. You’ll need to wear compression stockings for a few weeks after each procedure.

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 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.

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.

Is laser vein surgery dangerous?

All surgeries have some risks. Some possible risks of laser varicose vein surgery include: You may have other risks, depending on your general health. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about any concerns you have before your surgery.

Can you have more than one vein treated?

More than one vein can be treated during a session. Painless. This procedure is performed under local analgesia. Durable. The vein is unlikely to grow back or reopen with minimal chance of recurrence 1-2%. Safe. EVT has been used for varying types of medical procedures and is proven to be safe and effective.

Is EVT safe for veins?

Safe. EVT has been used for varying types of medical procedures and is proven to be safe and effective. Other forms of treatment for varicose veins such as VenaSeal, LASER and Ultrasound-guided Injection Sclerotherapy are also available depending on each individual suitability.

Laser Vein Treatment is Minimally Invasive

Unlike past ways of treating varicose veins, such as ligation and stripping, vein treatment that uses lasers doesn’t require general anesthesia. For very small veins a laser is used on top of the skin. Larger veins require a laser fiber to be inserted into the vein. Usually, local anesthesia and a mild sedative are combined for this procedure.

You May Have Some Vein Bruising

One of the side effects of this treatment is vein bruising, which you may notice in the hours and days after treatment. This is typically not a serious issue and will go away on its own. Your skin may appear discolored in the area around the treatment site, and there is also the possibility for skin burns in that location.

Working With Your Doctor is the Right Choice

You should always work closely with your doctor when having any medical procedure, and laser vein treatment is no exception. Most patients have some questions, and your doctor will have answers about the procedure and the healing time.

What is the treatment for varicose veins?

If you don't respond to self-care or compression stockings, or if your condition is more severe, your doctor may suggest one of these varicose vein treatments: Sclerotherapy. In this procedure, your doctor injects small- and medium-sized varicose veins with a solution or foam that scars and closes those veins.

How to prevent varicose veins from getting worse?

Self-care — such as exercising, losing weight, not wearing tight clothes, elevating your legs, and avoiding long periods of standing or sitting — can ease pain and prevent varicose veins from getting worse.

What is the procedure to remove varicose veins?

Endoscopic vein surgery. You might need this operation only in an advanced case involving leg ulcers if other techniques fail. Your surgeon uses a thin video camera inserted in your leg to visualize and close varicose veins and then removes the veins through small incisions.

What to do before a varicose vein appointment?

What you can do in the meantime. Even before your appointment, you can begin self-care. Try not to stand or sit in one position for a long time, elevate your legs when you're seated, and avoid uncomfortable footwear and tight socks or hosiery. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Varicose veins care at Mayo Clinic.

How to close spider veins?

Laser treatment. Doctors are using new technology in laser treatments to close off smaller varicose veins and spider veins. Laser treatment works by sending strong bursts of light onto the vein, which makes the vein slowly fade and disappear. No incisions or needles are used.

How to diagnose varicose veins?

Diagnosis. To diagnose varicose veins, your doctor will do a physical exam, including looking at your legs while you're standing to check for swelling. Your doctor may also ask you to describe any pain and aching in your legs. You also may need an ultrasound test to see if the valves in your veins are functioning normally or if there's any evidence ...

How to improve circulation in legs?

To improve the circulation in your legs, take several short breaks daily to elevate your legs above the level of your heart. For example, lie down with your legs resting on three or four pillows. Avoid long periods of sitting or standing. Make a point of changing your position frequently to encourage blood flow.

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