Spider veins are small, twisted blood vessels, purple or red in color, that may develop on the legs or face in a spiderweb pattern. Though they are typically harmless and painless, their appearance can negatively impact self-confidence and patients may need to schedule an appointment with a spider veins specialist in Las Vegas for treatment.
The first line of defense for spider veins once they appear is to wear compression stockings and make healthy lifestyle changes. If these non-invasive methods are ineffective and patients begin to experience pain, they may need to seek medical treatment. Spider veins can be treated with either endovenous laser ablation or sclerotherapy. If you’re searching for a spider veins specialist in Las Vegas, here’s what you need to know.
During endovenous laser ablation, the physician will apply focused light beams to close or shrink the affected veins without causing any damage to the skin or surrounding tissue. Within four to six weeks, the spider veins will no longer be visible underneath the skin.
During a laser treatment session, the patient will be asked to put on protective goggles to shield their eyes from the intense laser beams. The spider veins specialist will then apply a cooling gel to the treatment area before sending focused light energy targeting the spider veins.
Patients may sense mild pain and discomfort that feels like a rubber band snapping against their skin. Though laser treatment doesn’t impose any limitations on activities once the procedure is over, patients might experience some redness or inflammation, and will likely have to wear compression garments to ensure optimal results. Depending on the severity of the patient’s condition, they may need to undergo several sessions spaced four to six weeks apart.
Candidates for spider vein laser treatment should be non-smokers and generally in good health. Laser treatment is not recommended for patients who:
Endovenous laser ablation is an effective treatment for small, shallow, and sparse veins. Patients with deep and large veins will need to consider other forms of treatment since more energy is required to target veins that lie further than a few millimeters underneath the skin or are wider than a 30-gauge needle. This excess energy is difficult to concentrate and control, and can lead to unintended heating of the surrounding tissue, causing skin damage. Endovenous laser ablation is typically reserved for mild cases of spider veins.
Endovenous laser ablation is also an effective treatment for facial spider veins because it’s less traumatic to the surrounding skin and poses a lower risk of temporary hyperpigmentation.
Dr. Prem Kittusamy has helped treat many patients seeking treatment for spider veins. If you’re searching for a spider veins specialist in Las Vegas, contact the Las Vegas Vein & Skin Clinic to schedule an appointment and get the quality treatment you deserve.