Broken and enlarged veins and capillaries tend to be very visible for patients with light skin tones and are more of an appearance concern rather than a medical problem. They are very common. If you suffer from problems related to varicose and spider veins, you are not alone. It is estimated that more than 80 million Americans suffer from some form of venous disorder.
Candela Vbeam Laser Treatment in Orange County uses a laser to deliver pulses of light energy which causes the blood within the vein to coagulate, eventually destroying the vessels.
What are the causes of facial and varicose veins?
Many factors contribute to the development of facial veins and leg veins:
- Age
- Heredity
- Pathological conditions
- Sun damage
- Occupations that require long periods of standing
- Pregnancy
- Rosacea
What type of laser works to reduce vein appearance?
Vbeam and other vascular lasers are used to treat vessels from tiny spider veins and superficial face veins to deeper blue leg veins on men and women of all skin tones. Depending on the size and depth of the vein, Dr. Sikorski will determine which lasers will be effective. For larger veins on the face, the Gentle Max 1064 wavelength is more effective. For smaller vessels, the Vbeam is more suitable.
How does a laser treat broken and enlarged veins?
The laser delivers pulses of light energy which are drawn to the color in the blood vessels (hemoglobin). This absorption of energy turns into heat which causes the blood within the vein to coagulate, eventually destroying the vessel which is later reabsorbed by your body. Blood flow is then redirected to veins deeper below your skin’s surface where they are not visible or not as visible.
A successful vascular treatment is dependent upon comprehensive history including presenting complaints, active symptoms, history of vascular disease, and general health and occupation history.
Varicose vein treatment in Laguna Niguel may require a combination of Laser based technology and sclerotherapy to adequately address your needs. Any successful vascular treatment is dependent on the treatment provider being able to successfully locate facial veins, legs veins and any reticular feeder veins that are often associated with the superficial telangiectasias.
What types of veins can be treated?
Veins can be treated from all parts of the body. Small, facial veins (telangiectasias), blood blisters (hemangiomas), and spider veins and smaller blue leg veins can be treated quickly with excellent results. For facial veins and Rosacea also see IPL.
How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments necessary depends on the number, color, and size of the vessels being treated.
Do the treatments hurt?
Although many patients report little or no discomfort, some may experience a mild stinging sensation when the laser pulse is delivered. The cooling sprays before and directly after each laser pulse help soothe the skin during treatment.
What happens after the treatment?
After the treatment there may be some redness or bruising. The larger veins may have a tan or brownish pigment which may persist for a few weeks or months following the treatment. Dr. Sikorski may advise you to wear support hose for a short period after the treatment.
When can I resume normal activities?
Although we encourage you to resume normal activities almost immediately, we do ask that you refrain from vigorous activities for at least 24 hrs. You should also avoid hot baths and hot tubs for at least 1 week.
How does Laser Vein Treatments compare to Sclerotherapy?
Dr. Sikorski can help advise you on the ideal course of action depending on the medical evaluation. Laser is completely noninvasive, whereas Sclerotherapy is based on injecting a solution into the vein which causes it to close. Prominent veins in the legs will generally require Sclerotherapy. We do not do Sclerotherapy on facial veins, as they are treated with lasers.
What is a potential problem with untreated varicose veins?
There are several adverse consequences of untreated varicose veins, and their severity will vary from person to person depending on the circumstances. Many residents who don’t treat their varicose veins will experience continued symptoms of pain, fatigue and swelling of the legs or ankles.
Related Procedures:
- IPL Photofacial for Pigmentation and Facial Redness
- Brown Spots and Melasma
- Skin creams
- Sclerotherapy for Injection-based Treatment of Veins on the legs
Conditions & Treatments
Veins and arteries are both part of the circulatory system, but their function is quite different. “Poor circulation” is a nonspecific term which often refers to arterial blockages. Arteries bring oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the extremities and are often thought of resembling a tube or hose. On the other hand, veins have one-way valves and channel oxygen-depleted blood back toward the heart. If the valves of the veins don’t function well, blood doesn’t flow efficiently. The veins become enlarged because they are congested with blood. These enlarged veins are commonly called spider veins or varicose veins. Spider veins are small red, blue or purple veins on the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are larger distended veins that are located somewhat deeper than spider veins.
Pain in the legs is frequently related to abnormal leg veins. Symptoms, often made worse by prolonged standing, include feelings of fatigue, heaviness, aching, burning, throbbing, itching, cramping, and restlessness of the legs. Leg swelling can occur. Severe varicose veins can compromise the nutrition of the skin and lead to eczema, inflammation or even ulceration of the lower leg.
Vein disorders are not always visible and techniques to diagnose them are important to determine the cause and severity of the problem. A physical exam is used in the diagnosis of vein disorders in conjunction with an ultrasound.
Your Consultation for Vbeam Laser Treatment in Orange County
You’ll enjoy a relaxing visit to our office where you can ask questions, meet our staff, take a tour of our office and surgical suite and view additional photo results of our patients.
Your consultation assessment is with a Natural Image OC provider. Fees and procedure preparations are discussed with our patient care coordinator, who will detail the experience with you.
We look forward to meeting with you and helping you find the simplest solution to achieve the goals you desire. Call our office or use our online form for a Vbeam laser consultation in Orange County with Dr. Sikorski.