There are many different types of treatments out there for varicose veins. Some people opt for surgery, while others choose to go the natural route with home remedies. But there is another option that is becoming increasingly popular: laser treatment.
Interest in laser treatment for varicose veins is on the rise, and depending on the severity of the veins, amazing results can be achieved with this treatment. Laser treatments relieve pressure from the varicose vein, and lasers can be very effective in treating blood vessels that are resistant to sclerotherapy, typically veins smaller than 1-2 mm in diameter.
WHAT IS LASER VEIN TREATMENT?
Laser treatment for varicose veins is a minimally invasive procedure that uses high-intensity light to destroy the veiny tissue. It is a safe and effective alternative to traditional treatments like surgery or sclerotherapy (injections). Lasers have been used to treat varicose veins for many years, with great success.
HISTORY OF LASER VEIN TREATMENT
Laser treatment for varicose veins has been around for quite some time. In the early days of laser vein treatment, only surgical lasers were available. These were powerful enough to destroy the problem veins, but they were also very Invasive and had a high risk of side effects.
The first notable laser therapies were called pulsed dye lasers (PDLs) and were developed in the late 1980s. Over the past ten years, different versions that used longer wavelengths have vastly improved, delivering better results. The key to successful laser therapies is utilizing wavelengths that are better absorbed by the blood vessel.
With the advent of new technology, safer and more effective lasers are now available that can be used to treat varicose veins. These newer lasers, such as the Nd:YAG laser, are much less invasive and have a very low risk of side effects.
HOW DOES LASER TREATMENT WORK?
Laser treatment for varicose veins works by delivering high-intensity light to the problem area. This light is absorbed by the blood in the veins, which causes the vessels to heat up and collapse. Over time, the treated vein will fade away.
Laser treatment is a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed in a doctor’s office. The entire process usually takes less than an hour, and you can typically return to your normal activities immediately after the treatment. Laser treatment is a very effective way to destroy problem veins with minimal risk of side effects.
Doctors will choose the type of wavelength and duration by considering the size and type of vein to be treated; the deeper the vein, the longer the wavelength required to penetrate it. Most patients that receive laser treatments for varicose veins experience zero pain. Thus, no medication is required to take, and often the smaller veins are completely gone immediately, while larger ones take some time to disappear.
TYPES OF LASER TECHNIQUES
Laser Ablation
Simple laser treatments are done on the exterior of the skin to treat smaller varicose veins. A small hand-held device is used to direct the laser onto the skin. The heat from the laser will cause the vessel to collapse and eventually fade away.
Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT)
This type of laser treatment is used to treat larger varicose veins that are deeper below the skin’s surface. A thin fiber is inserted into the vein through a small incision in the skin. The laser is then used to heat up and destroy the vein from the inside. These laser treatments are far less painful than invasive surgeries such as vein stripping and have a much shorter recovery time.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF LASER TREATMENT?
There are many benefits of laser treatment for varicose veins over other treatment methods.
Minimally Invasive
First, it is a minimally invasive procedure with very little risk of side effects. Laser treatment can be done in a doctor’s office with no need for anesthesia. You can return to your normal activities immediately afterward. With other more invasive vein procedures, you may have stitches and need to wear compression dressings to keep bruising down.
Fast Recovery Time
There is no recovery downtime required after the procedure. You can return to your normal activities immediately. With new lasers, there is little to no damage to surrounding tissues, meaning less pain. With other procedures, such as vein ligation and stripping, recovery time can last 2-3 weeks.
Precise Treatment
Laser treatment is very precise. The doctor can target specific varicose veins while leaving the surrounding tissue unharmed. The laser beam that is emitted is very tiny and can be focused exactly on the vein itself.
Safe for all Skin Types
Due to technological advances, laser treatment can be used on all skin types. There is no risk of scarring or pigmentation changes. Laser treatment is also a safe and effective way to destroy problem veins.
Effective
Laser treatment is effective at destroying problem veins while leaving healthy tissue unharmed. It is a safe and effective way to get rid of varicose veins. Other vein procedures are much more invasive to get similar results. The high-intensity light from the laser penetrates deep into the skin, causing the blood vessels to collapse and disappear.
Quick Treatment
The treatment is relatively quick and easy, with most procedures taking less than an hour. Finally, laser treatment has a high success rate and can permanently remove veins.
SIDE EFFECTS OF LASER TREATMENT
Laser treatment is a minimally invasive procedure with very little risk of side effects. The most common side effect is temporary skin redness, which typically goes away within a few hours. There is no recovery downtime required after the procedure, and you can return to your normal activities immediately.
Get Laser Vein Removal in Belle Meade and Mt. Juliet, Tennessee
Laser therapy is a safe and time-proven method that improves the overall appearance of varicose veins and causes little if any discomfort with no downtime. There are many benefits to using laser treatments against varicose veins large and small when done by a certified surgeon. At The Vein Centre our board-certified surgeons have over 100 years of combined experience.