Laser Vein Removal
Risks of Laser Vein Removal Treatment
What does Laser Vein Removal Involve?
For laser vein removal for varicose and spider veins a laser or light beam is pulsed onto the vein, heating the area and causing the vein to seal. The sealed veins are then absorbed into the body.
The key to successful laser vein removal is the amount of heat directed at the vein to seal it. If the laser does not produce enough concentrated heat to seal the vein, then the procedure will fail. Because of the amount of heat produced to seal the vein, several treatments are typically required to successfully eliminate the spider veins.
Alternatives to Laser Vein Removal
At Bella Medspa, we offer two alternative treatments for vein removal.
Sclerotherapy is one of the alternative methods. For this procedure, a sclerosing solution is injected into the vein, causing the vein to immediately shrink and collapse.
The VeinGogh Ohmic Thermolysis System is another non-invasive alternative to laser vein removal. The specialist inserts a procedure called Microburst Technology™ that includes inserting a probe into the vein and pulsing 4 MHz of electrical energy into the vein.
This energy will convert to heat and cause the blood to coagulate and the vessel wall to collapse. These concentrated bursts of energy do not necessitate the cooling gel that laser vein removal uses to avoid burning the surrounding tissue.
Laser Vein Removal - Some Side-effects
There are short-term side effects related to laser vein treatment, including:
- Reddening of the skin in the treated area
- Swelling around the treated area
- Increased or decreased pigmentation in the treated area
- Bruising
- Blistering (rare)
Most of these side effects diminish after a day or two, with bruising and blistering – which are rare – disappearing after a few weeks.
While the risks associated with laser vein treatment are minimal, there is potential for eye exposure during the process. A well-trained specialist will make sure the patient’s eyes are completely shielded to reduce this risk.
