Laser treatment for spider veins is a minimally invasive procedure that involves dissolving the targeted vessels with a targeted beam of light. Following the procedure, it may be several weeks before you see results.
Laser treatment is one of the most common ways to treat spider veins, also called telangiectasias. While spider veins aren’t typically a medical concern, some people may want to remove them for aesthetic reasons.
Following a session of laser treatment, spider veins gradually break down over the course of several weeks. Depending on the size and location of your spider veins, you may need additional sessions to fully remove them.
Here’s what else to know about the healing journey ahead.
The two main types of laser treatment include:
- Surface laser therapy: This approach is more commonly used to treat larger spider veins and varicose veins. It involves directing a beam of light into the targeted veins, which heats them up and eventually breaks them down.
- Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT): This method involves making a small incision in the skin, allowing a laser probe to be inserted directly into the vein.
While intense pulsed light therapy isn’t technically a type of laser treatment, it is similar. Instead of a focused beam of light, it involves directing intense pulsed light into the veins from outside the skin.
Many people notice their spider veins are significantly less visible following one session of laser treatment. But to fully remove spider veins, you’ll likely need multiple sessions.
The number of sessions you may need can vary widely based on the size, quantity, and location of the veins you want to remove. Most people can expect to need from 1 to 6 sessions to achieve their desired results.
For smaller spider veins, some results may be immediate. But it may take larger veins several weeks to disintegrate, break down, and fade.
Again, you also may need several sessions before the vein disappears altogether.
After treatment, the area may appear bruised, red, and swollen for up to several hours. You’ll also likely experience a stinging feeling, almost like a sunburn. A cool pack can be used during this time to soothe any irritation.
Afterward, you will be able to resume day-to-day tasks as usual. The veins will continue to break down over the course of the next several weeks. To promote healing, wear SPF and keep the treatment area out of the sun as much as possible.
Technically, laser treatment results are permanent. As long as the origin vein, along with any attached veins, was successfully removed, then it can’t come back.
However, it’s still possible for new spider veins to emerge over time. Staying active and elevating your legs regularly can help prevent new spider veins from forming.
After laser treatment to remove spider veins, your skin may appear red and bruised for up to several hours. You might notice results for small spider veins, but larger ones will become less visible over the course of several weeks. Keep in mind that you may need multiple sessions to remove spider veins completely.