Varicose veins or spider veins (small unsightly red or blue blood vessels) usually appear in the legs and are often inherited. They are caused by damaged veins, are bluish or swollen and are an indication of venous insufficiency. Laser treatment is now an effective method to remove spider veins. It is used in addition to sclerosis and venous surgery. The laser heats the vein, coagulating and destroying it. After treatment you will be able to reveal the natural beauty of your legs.

Laser treatment is performed after a venous assessment. Spider veins may be isolated or associated with deep venous insufficiency that must be treated beforehand. A Doppler ultrasound will be prescribed for screening purposes.

The laser beam is directed along the spider vein. A session can last 20 to 30 minutes if the area to treat is extensive. One of the main advantages of laser treatment is that it treats a maximum number of spider veins in one session. We will use different types of lasers depending on the diameter and colour of the veins (YAG, KTP or Multiplex dual wavelength). Very often only one session is necessary for each area.

There must be no traces of tanning before a laser session.

Laser treatment causes a prickling sensation which is limited by a cooling system. However, treatment in some areas, like the ankles, can be painful. For these areas an anaesthetic cream will be prescribed.

After treatment you must avoid the sun until the skin appears normal again. This may take three weeks to three months depending on your skin type and the treatment used.

Depending on the type of laser used you may see some swelling along the vein or very thin scabs or bruising immediately after treatment. These will disappear within a few days but may leave temporary pigmentation which will fade after several weeks if treatment was extensive. This is a normal reaction to the breaking of the vessels.

The treatment is permanent. However, as venous insufficiency is a progressive disease, other vessels may appear and thus require further treatment.

The laser’s heat can be absorbed by tanned skin leading to the risk of long-lasting hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation. You must therefore always avoid tanning before treatment.

From €120 incl. VAT.