These small vessels and the larger vessels known as reticular veins can be safely and permanently removed with lasers. These veins on the surface of the skin that usually occur on the face and legs do not pose any health risk but they are unsightly. They are not necessary, so getting rid of them is perfectly safe.

Spider veins, also known as “telangectasias” are capillaries which have been damaged and are now visible at the surface of the skin. These can appear red, blue or purple. Reticular veins, also known as “feeder veins” are the blue to green veins that can become enlarged, twisted and may protrude slightly. These are found on the legs and are especially visible behind the knees. These veins do not typically cause any pain or discomfort and are considered a cosmetic problem rather than a medical one.

What causes these vessels to become damaged? Within healthy veins and capillaries there are valves. The job of the valves is to ensure blood is flowing in one direction only. In damaged veins and capillaries, these valves have become weak and defective which allows blood to flow backward and pool inside the vessel. As this happens pressure builds, the vessel wall weakens and will eventually expand to compensate for the additional volume. As a result, the vein enlarges, bulges and twists. Depending on the size of the blood vessel and extent of swelling, the result is a spider, reticular, or varicose vein.

A number of factors contribute. Heredity is the main culprit and will cause someone to be more prone to developing this condition. Certain lifestyle factors can contribute to the problem: Use of harsh facial scrubs, microdermabrasions, high alcohol consumption, excessive body weight, pregnancy, hormonal changes, exposure to constant temperature extremes, sun exposure, wind burn, injuries/trauma, inflammatory conditions like acne and/or rosacea, improper cool down after cardiovascular exercise, and habitual crossing of the legs which can cause more damaged vessels on one leg than the other due to added pres-sure and strain on the veins.

How does Laser Vein Therapy work?

During a laser vein removal treatment a concentrated beam of light is directed precisely at the veins. The light penetrates into the vessel, coagulating the blood and subsequently shutting it down. The walls of the vein collapse, blood flow is stopped and over the next two to eight weeks the vein is re-absorbed back into the body via the lymphatic system. When the damaged vessels are closed off and re-absorbed, your body will simply reroute blood flow through other healthy vessels. After your course of treatment the vessels that have been treated will be gone forever. Unfortunately, because those being treated are prone to developing these broken vessels, new ones may appear down the road. Touch-up treatments may be needed as new vessels appear.

Unfortunately, laser vein therapy is not an option for varicose veins and veins larger then 3 mm in diameter. Varicose veins can be treated with a procedure known as Schlerotherapy which is not offered at Skinpossible. For people with spider veins on the face or legs or reticular veins 3 mm or smaller, treatment with lasers is a safer option. Laser vein treatments have become very popular because they are non-invasive and offer many advantages over sclerotherapy, including the price of the treatments and the quick recovery time. Sclerotherapy may take multiple treatments and needle injections are needed in each vein. Tiny/matted spider veins are often extremely difficult to treat this way and may be too small to even be injected at all. Treating spider and reticular veins with a laser may only require one treatment and needles are not used.

If you would like to investigate the numerous anti-aging options that are available, call and schedule a consultation.  Our style of consultation is relaxed and educational.  Our goal is to address your concerns in the order of your priorities and give you all of the information you need to make an informed decision.  This will help you choose the right treatment or combination of treatments to achieve the result you desire within the budget you have to invest.  Evening and Saturday appointments are available.  Consultations are free and so is parking.