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!
Many people choose to have varicose veins removed for cosmetic reasons. If you have large ropy blue veins tracing up and down your legs, then that may be why you’re here – because you’re tired of looking at them. Tired of trying to hide them when your hemline rises above your ankles.
But varicose veins can also
- be painful,
- cause a variety of other discomforts, and
- signal an underlying condition that’s a major health risk, like clots.
The good news is that specialists can detect underlying conditions quickly, and once these are ruled out or treated, the specialist can easily remove varicose veins using minimally invasive techniques like laser 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.
Laser vein treatment isn’t as scary as it sounds. Today’s lasers are precise and highly efficient. They can also be downsized into tiny focused light beams. When these tiny, super-hot beams focus on diseased veins, they damage the vein. That doesn’t sound good, does it?
But think about what happens next in the natural healing process, scarring. When scar tissue forms, it plugs the diseased veins up. Since blood can no longer get into the vein, the vein dies and eventually disappears.
Right now, you may be asking yourself, “Is laser treatment safe for varicose veins?”
The answer is yes! Endovenous laser treatment is a safe and effective way to remove varicose veins.
Endovenous basically means “inside the vein.” Endovenous Laser treatment removes larger varicose veins in the legs from the inside out.
First, the vein specialist makes a small incision near the damaged vein. Then they insert a catheter (thin tube) into the incision and pass a laser fiber through that tube and into the vein.
Your vein specialist knows where the laser fiber is because they use duplex ultrasound to “see inside your body.” Once the fiber has arrived at the target area, your vein specialist blasts the diseased vein with laser light.
Don’t worry. Local anesthesia or a light sedative is all you need for laser vein treatment. Endovenous laser treatment is also remarkable because it’s less painful and invasive than vein ligation and stripping and the recovery time is shorter.
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.
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. And you’ll have a follow-up visit where your doctor will take a look at the vein using a duplex ultrasound to make sure that the vein has closed.
Let’s use the last half of the article to answer the most frequently asked questions about vein laser treatment that we offer here at Denver Vein Medical Centers.
How Successful is Laser Vein Treatment?
The success rates for laser vein treatments for varicose veins are incredibly close to 100%, regardless of your age.
How Long Does Varicose Vein Laser Removal Take?
The procedure usually takes less than an hour.
What is the Laser Surgery Recovery Time?
Your vein specialist will encourage you to walk for 30-60 minutes right after the procedure. You will need to have a ride home after your appointment. You may see some bruising on your leg, but this should go away in about two weeks.
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.
You may benefit from or require additional types of procedures like sclerotherapy, depending on the severity of the varicose veins and how much cosmetic improvement you desire.
Do Varicose Veins Come Back After Treatment?
Typically once the vein is gone, it stays gone. Remember how the laser treatment works? The laser beam damages the vein, scar tissue blocks off blood supply, and the vein evaporates – it’s gone. In rare instances, however, there may be a recurrence of varicose veins if you are highly prone to them.
How Much Does Vein Laser Treatment for Varicose Veins Cost?
The average cost of laser vein treatment varies according to your specific situation and the type of treatment you receive. Many factors can affect the final price of treatment. The best way to find out how much laser vein removal will cost and how much your insurance will cover is to consult with a vein specialist.
What are the Risks and Side Effects Associated With Laser Vein Treatment?
Every procedure has risks and side effects. Possible risks and side effects for laser vein removal are
- Skin burns
- Changes in skin pigmentation
- Prickling, burning, or pain from nerve damage (although this happens less often than it does with vein stripping surgery)
- Small or large blood clots (this is also less likely to happen than it does after vein stripping surgery).
Choosing a highly qualified provider who has extensive experience with using lasers for vein laser treatment decreases your risk of side effects significantly.
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!