Spider Veins Treatment through Lasers: Pros and Cons
Like wrinkles, expression lines and sagginess of skin, the appearance of spider veins on legs is also an unwelcoming effect of aging. As you age, your circulatory system also begins to show visible signs of aging in the form of thick, swollen veins that appear as a spider web on lower limbs. The poor circulatory system is believed to be the prime cause of spider veins, but there are several other factors as well that predispose an individual to the appearance of spider veins, such as your heredity, obesity, hormonal changes, or professions that involve prolonged standings (teaching, nursing, hair styling, etc.).
Spider veins generally do not cause any serious complication and people mostly seek treatment for cosmetic reasons. But sometimes these twisted, swollen veins become painful and start developing complications like ulceration or Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), prompting the sufferer to seek an effective Spider Veins Treatment.
There are numerous treatment options available to help treat these purplish-blue web-like veins but the most effective of them all is through laser therapy. The procedure involves exposing the affected veins to high-intensity laser beams. Pigmented veins absorb energy from the laser light and heat up, which ultimately causes them to weaken and fade away over time.
Like any other medical procedure, Laser treatment for spider veins also has its own pros and cons. They are listed below:
Advantages of laser treatment for spider veins:
- Laser treatment for Spider veins is virtually non-invasive and does not involve even a single needle prick even
- It is a relatively painless procedure
- It is a quick procedure that generally takes 25 to minutes, but this may vary from person to person
- It has virtually zero downtime
- It is a lunch break session; you can literally come to the clinic during lunch hours, get the treatment and go back to work immediately after that
Disadvantages of laser treatment for spider veins
- It is quite expensive with the cost ranging from $300 to $450 per session
- Most patients experience redness and bruising around the treated area as a common side effect
- It can be painful and may cause blisters, but this is very rare and is often associated with the carelessness of the laser operator
- It may cause temporary skin discoloration
It is pertinent to mention here that the above-mentioned side effects associated with spider veins treatment through lasers are all temporary and can be avoided by choosing an experienced dermatologist or laser specialist. Overall, the advantages of laser treatment for spider veins are so lucrative that going for the procedure worth it.