Nobody likes dealing with spider or varicose veins. Not only are these veins cosmetically bothersome, but they can also become very painful. Many people end up seeking treatment for these veins, whether they have had them for a short time or have been dealing with them for years. Fortunately, several modern-day treatments are excellent at handling these veins. One such form of treatment is laser treatment.
There are technically two forms of laser treatment for spider veins and varicose veins: simple laser treatment and endovenous laser treatment. Both are great forms of treatment, but they are used in different scenarios. We will break down both of them below to see which one may be a better fit for your particular case.
Simple laser treatment is typically used to treat small varicose and spider veins. It uses a laser on the outside of your skin to hit veins that are right below the surface. There will typically be multiple sessions of simple laser treatment, with one session every 6 to 12 weeks. Sometimes, before simple laser treatment is used, another form of treatment may have to be used to handle the larger vein that fills these smaller veins.
Endovenous laser treatment is used to handle larger varicose veins that simple laser treatment cannot treat. In this procedure, your doctor will use a local anesthetic and make a hole to insert a catheter into the vein. Using an ultrasound, the doctor will guide the catheter through the vein and use heat to seal it. This is considered a conservative treatment, so you can get the procedure and be home on the same day.
As with virtually any procedure, there can be potential risks involved with laser therapy. These can include:
Going to an experienced laser practitioner and following the proper home recovery steps can minimize these risks. At-home recovery may include steps like icing the area, inspecting the incision to make sure there is no infection, wearing a compression sock or stocking, and not standing, sitting, or lying down for long periods. When you do sit or lie down, keep the leg elevated to help blood flow. You may face additional risks if you have other conditions, so be sure to consult your doctor regarding the safety of laser treatment for you.
It is always best to consult with your doctor about the best treatment option for you. The good thing is that whatever your situation is with spider or varicose veins, laser treatment is often able to address it. And if the case is a bit more severe, other types of treatment can handle it.
Here at BASS Vein Center, we understand that spider and varicose veins can be a nuisance, and in some cases, incredibly painful. We offer multiple types of treatment to address all cases. Give us a call today so that we can craft the ideal treatment plan to take care of your vein problems.
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