If you've decided to get treatment for your varicose veins because you don't like the way your legs look or because your veins are painful, then you may want to consider having laser surgery. A laser can be used to zap tiny surface veins and it can also be used to eradicate deeper, bulging veins. Here's how laser treatments work.

Laser Treatments For Spider Veins

Spider veins are near the surface of your skin. They are fairly small and tend to form patterns that look like spider webs. While they don't usually pose a health risk, you may find their appearance embarrassing. Your doctor may be able to remove these veins, as well as small, deeper varicose veins by using a laser light on the surface of your skin. Your doctor moves the laser across your leg or calf and zaps the veins, which causes them to shrivel and fade away. You may need a combination of surface laser treatments and endovenous treatments to completely clear your problem. You might need to undergo a series of surface laser treatments spaced a few weeks apart to achieve the best results.

Endovenous Laser Surgery For Varicose Veins

If your varicose veins are deep, surface laser treatments won't work because the laser won't be able to reach them. To treat these deep veins that also tend to be larger and bulging, your doctor has to insert a laser fiber into the vein itself. Unlike traditional varicose vein surgery that strips the veins and requires general anesthesia, laser surgery is done using a local anesthetic only. The procedure is usually done in a doctor's office and you're able to get up and walk right away.

To perform endovenous laser surgery, your doctor makes an incision on your leg and passes a catheter through it and into the vein to be treated. A laser fiber is then inserted through the catheter. The laser heats the vein and causes damage that leads to scarring and closure of the vein. Your vein won't disappear right away. Instead, your body will slowly absorb it over the months following the procedure. Your blood circulation won't be affected since blood will continue flowing through nearby veins.

Recovery from laser varicose vein treatments is usually quick and uneventful. You may need to wear compression stockings for a few weeks and be careful about lifting heavy objects and doing strenuous exercise, but you should be able to walk and resume most of your usual activities right away. Laser surgery is an effective treatment for varicose veins, and it is a fairly quick procedure that has a rapid recovery time. It is an option to consider when you're bothered by varicose veins, but the first step is to have an evaluation by your doctor to see if you're a good match for the procedure. Your doctor takes into account the size and location of your veins as well as your general health when deciding on the best way to treat your condition.