Laser vein removal is a safe and effective way to remove unsightly veins without the use of surgery. The procedure uses laser energy to destroy the blood vessels that feed abnormally-positioned veins. This causes them to shrink and fade from view. Laser vein removal can be performed on any part of your body, including your legs, arms and face.
Laser vein removal is not painful. In fact, most patients report that they feel nothing more than a mild warmth during treatment. If you have sensitive skin or are especially prone to bruising, your doctor may apply a topical anesthetic cream before beginning treatment.
During treatment, your doctor will direct a laser beam at the target vein. Once the blood vessel has been destroyed by this heat energy, it will begin to break down over time naturally while still remaining intact enough for it not to burst open during this process which would cause bleeding from within instead; this results in less post-treatment pain compared to traditional methods where stitches are used (which also require more follow-up visits). After treatment is complete, there may be some redness or slight bruising around where treated area such as behind knees or inner thighs due to bleeding into surrounding tissue after vessel constriction occurs over time.
Have you avoided a trip to see a vein specialist because you’re afraid of an invasive, painful varicose vein removal procedure? Allow us to put your fears to rest. While vein stripping used to be the most common treatment option used for patients with varicose veins, your options have increased and improved dramatically in recent years. Learn about the new varicose vein ‘walk in, walk out’ treatment options available in our Middle Georgia Vein Specialists of the South vein clinics.
What happens during laser vein treatment?
We understand that you may be nervous before undergoing varicose vein laser treatment or removal surgery, but knowing what happens from start to finish usually puts our patients’ minds at ease. So here’s what you can expect:
- We will start by using a Doppler ultrasound device to map your vein. Knowing exactly what we’re working with eliminates any trial-and-error and makes the laser treatment process quick and effective.
- Next, we’ll apply a local anesthetic to numb the area we’re working on to make sure you are comfortable throughout the procedure.
- A thin laser fiber is inserted through a tiny entry point into your vein. We deliver a pulse of laser energy to seal the vein and cut off its blood supply.
- The fiber is removed and a small bandage is put in place––no stitches are needed.
That’s it! Treatment is usually done in under 2 hours.
Where do you perform laser vein treatment?
There’s no hospital stay needed. We perform all laser vein treatments right in our clinic at CORE Medical & Wellness.
Is laser treatment really pain-free?
When it comes to medical treatments, we often hope for a pain-free experience. However, it’s important to understand that while the treatment may be free of pain, it may still come with some discomfort. In the case of the procedure mentioned, the anesthetic used should effectively manage any pain during the process. Patients may still feel some minor tingling or stinging sensations, but these should be manageable.After the procedure is completed, patients may experience some soreness and bruising for up to five days. This is a normal part of the healing process and should not cause alarm. Over-the-counter pain relievers are typically sufficient to alleviate any discomfort and help take the edge off during this time.It’s important for patients to be aware of these potential side effects and to communicate any concerns they may have with their healthcare provider. Understanding what to expect during and after a procedure can help patients feel more prepared and confident in their treatment plan.
What kind of aftercare is needed?
As mentioned above, in the week or so following the procedure, you’ll want to avoid strenuous exercise. Instead, walk a few times a day for 10 to 20 minute stretches. Long periods of standing, sitting, or lying down are discouraged. When you can, keep your legs elevated. If your legs are feeling swollen or sore, ice packs applied for no longer than 15 minutes at a time can help.
Wearing compression stockings will help keep veins compressed post-treatment to stop swelling and prevent the formation of blood clots. Depending on the severity of your varicose veins, we may ask you to wear these stockings for a few weeks after your procedure.
Are there possible complications from laser vein treatment?
As with any laser treatment, there’s a risk of burns, scars, and infection. Our clinic adheres to the best practices outlined by the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery to minimize risk to our patients. Most complications of varicose vein removal surgery are minor, including temporary nerve damage and skin discoloration.
Serious complications are rare. If you have signs of infection, including redness or warmth, a sudden increase in swelling, or uncontrollable pain, call us right away.