Spider vein treatment

The laser flashes feel like being zapped by an elastic band. If necessary a numbing cream can be used one hour before. Spider veins may only need a few flashes, but Port Wine Stains will need many.

Immediately afterwards the skin will be bruised with some surrounding redness and swelling. The bruises go a deep purple colour. The treated area will feel warm for a while afterwards. It is unusual for blisters to form, but some crusts or scabs may form. These appearances last a week to ten days.

A small patch of thread veins in the centre of this picture were treated 8 weeks earlier. Circular areas of clearance can be seen surrounded by untreated thread veins.

Now the whole cheek has been treated except for the previously treated test patch. This dramatic bruising lasts about a week.

Usually a few test shots will be done first. This is to assess the correct power level. If the results are good then at your next visit larger areas can be treated. Broken veins generally need two or three treatments, with eight weeks between them. Port Wine Stains need more treatments, usually over a couple of years.

For many people there is also a considerable emotional burden from looking different. We are all sensitive to what other people think of us and sometimes learning how to cope with this can be more useful than the laser treatment. Please ask the doctor for more details.

Pigment changes are the commonest unwanted effect.

A light brown stain may remain after the bruising has cleared. This takes months to fade. Darker skin types contain pigment that blocks the laser light. This makes the treatment less effective, and the laser can make the skin darker.

The laser can also remove the brown pigment from the skin and leave a white mark. It is important to never have treatment when you have a tan. Scarring is a potential problem but is very rare. If it does occur it is usually in the form of some change in texture of the skin, which may return to normal in time. In some individuals a thick (keloid) scar can develop.

Laser light can bring out cold sores. If you are taking anticoagulant tablets such as Warfarin extra care is needed, make sure the Doctor knows.

A sun tan blocks the laser light so avoid the sun, or use a strong sun block (SPF 20 or more) before and during the course of treatment. Keep the area to be treated as pale as possible.

Avoid prolonged wetting of the treated area. A quick shower will not cause problems, but do not let the area get soggy.

Try to wait 2 or 3 days before applying any makeup. Apply gently by dabbing, avoid rubbing, and once applied leave the makeup on rather than remove it.

Be gentle with the treated area until it has settled down so as to minimise the risk of scars. It should not need a dressing as long as you can resist picking and scratching.

If redness increases around the bruises, especially if accompanied by crusting or weeping contact the clinic, or your own doctor, as it may be infected.