Spider veins are smaller, thread-like veins that occur near the surface of the skin and often appear on the legs or face. They can appear as red, purplish, or blue veins and often look like tree branches or spider webs with jagged edges that grow outward. 

Spider veins can cover a small area and avoid notice, or they can cover a larger area and become quite unsightly. It is also possible that they may enlarge over time. Some estimate that over half of all adult females will develop spider veins.

Spider veins, or telangiectasias (tel-AN-juh-ek-TA-ze-uhs), are often related to (and may appear in combination with) varicose veins and can derive from the same underlying causes. They occur in the capillaries closest to the surface of the skin, which are fed by veins called reticular veins (also known as ‘feeder veins’).

The most common cause of spider veins is a genetic predisposition. They occur more frequently in women (for instance, in and around a pregnancy). They also may be the result of a traumatic injury. Spider veins on the face may be related to excessive sun exposure.

Laser Vein Treatment is used for the face and body to treat a broad range of visible blood vessels from tiny spider veins or “telangiectasias,” to deep blue reticular veins quickly, safely and effectively in all skin types. Patients with port wine stains and other vascular lesions respond well to Coolglide Vein Therapy usually with just one treatment.

The G-Max Pro by the Syneron-Candela system delivers pulses of light energy, which cause the blood within the vein to coagulate, eventually destroying the vessel, which is later absorbed by your body. Blood flow will then be redirected to veins deeper below your skin’s surface, just where it should be. Patients normally resume routine activities immediately. However, it is recommended that you avoid vigorous activities such as strenuous exercise for the first 24 hours after treatment.

• The desired degree of blood vessel reduction
• Hormonal status
• The area being treated
• Medications (prednisone can increase superficial blood vessel growth)

Typically, one or three treatments are needed for significant improvement of spider veins. Treatment can be done every 6 weeks on the face, and every 2 – 3 months on the legs. Red dots on the body usually only require one or two treatments.

Some people start with the area that troubles them the most, and then when they can see the results they often return to have other areas treated.

Additional “touchup” treatments on small troublesome areas can be arranged at a relatively low cost. There is no safety limit on the number of treatments a person can have. People who have been partially treated with other types of blood vessel-removing laser and / or injection sclerotherapy might, in some cases, need a smaller number of the G-Max Pro laser treatments.

The unique design of the G-Max Pro laser and the long wavelength allows treatment of people with all skin colors.

A smaller number of treatments are needed when the skin is light colored. We do not treat patients with fresh sunburn.

Other than your regular skin care routine, there is no standard preparation for this procedure. There are no restrictions on what you may eat or drink prior to your appointment. Many people like to take 2 – 3 Advil (200 mg tablets) to prevent or reduce discomfort.

Please shave the areas to be treated before you come in for treatment. Excess dark hair above the surface of the skin absorbs and wastes laser energy, and reduces the amount of energy that reaches the undesired blood vessels. Excess hair above the surface of the skin also increases the chance of burning or irritating the skin.

When you come for treatment, it is important not to wear any makeup over the area being treated because makeup can absorb laser energy. This could interfere with treatment, or even cause overheating of the skin surface and blistering. Makeup can be re-applied immediately after Cutera G-Max Pro laser treatment.

After all of your last-minute questions have been answered and paperwork handled, the areas you wish to have treated will be cleansed and pre-treatment photos may be taken. Everyone in the treatment room must wear protective goggles when the laser is turned on. The length of the procedure itself can range from a few minutes for a few spider veins, to an hour or more for very extensive blood vessels on the thighs and lower legs.

The laser emits only light. You may feel a tingling or snapping sensation like a rubber band. There is no bleeding and no open wound is created.

Some people find the first laser treatment more uncomfortable than subsequent treatments.

Maybe this is because there are more blood vessels which are destroyed during the first treatment, and perhaps also because some people are more apprehensive during the first treatment because they are not sure of what to expect.

While some areas of the body like the nose are more sensitive than others, many patients report little or no discomfort. If there is unusual discomfort, please let us know so that we can apply more cooling or adjust the settings on the laser.

Most people find it helpful to simply take two or three Advil (200 mg tablets), 2 hours before coming in for treatment.

Redness often has faded greatly by the next day. It would not be uncommon for the skin to be slightly drier that evening and to require more moisturizing cream.

The treated blood vessels, in particular on the legs, may appear slightly more obvious or a bit darker for the next week or two, but this is seldom a major cosmetic problem. Occasionally on the legs, less frequently on the face, there can be isolated superficial bruising which generally is a nuisance and resolves within a week or two on the face, or several weeks on the legs without needing any treatment.

After the blood vessels are treated with laser energy, they sometimes swell up slightly, and the body moves in to begin the job of removing the treated vessels.

Sometimes, portions of the vessels will seal off immediately, and a bit of blood stays behind in the treated vessels, causing temporary red or purple coloration. If this happens, the blood in the vessels is usually reabsorbed along with the vessels themselves by the body over a period of several weeks to a couple of months on the legs, without needing any additional treatment.

Because the G-Max Pro laser machine can produce a longer, gentler pulse, there is much less chance of bruising compared to treatment with first and second-generation lasers. Patients who have previously been treated with dye lasers are always impressed by the fact that they look good immediately after G-Max Pro treatment, with little or no discoloration of the skin.

Since the laser does not burn or cut the skin in any way, no bandages are necessary. You can return to work the same day and resume all your regular activities. To reduce the chance of uneven tanning in the treated area, you should minimize sun exposure and tanning for a week or two after treatments.

Consultations about the Candela G-Max Pro laser removal of blood vessels can usually be arranged within one week simply by calling 702-228-5171.

Treatment can sometimes be done on the same day as the consultation, or within a couple of weeks.

Redness often has faded within a day or two. It would not be uncommon for the skin to be slightly drier that evening and to require more of your favorite moisturizer. The treated blood vessels may appear slightly more obvious for the next week or two, but this is seldom a cosmetic problem.

Try to avoid tanning for two weeks after treatment, because occasionally the tan could be somewhat irregular (lighter and / or darker in the treated areas). If you plan to be exposed to the sun, use SPF 25 or higher sunblock.

You do not need to purchase support stockings or special creams, and there is no special routine for you to follow.

Blistering or scaling after laser removal of blood vessels is very rare, but usually resolves over a few days or a week with a bit of Polysporin several times a day. Please call us if this happens, or if you have any other problems or questions.

Treatment is not recommended during pregnancy or while the mother is breastfeeding.

We cannot treat your predisposition to develop varicose or spider veins, so new veins may reappear in the same area or in other areas within the next few years. Usually, a touch-up treatment to remove new veins will be needed every 1 – 3 years.

Spider, reticular veins and telangiectasias are considered cosmetic problems and are not covered by most of the medical insurances.

Heredity, or genetic predisposition to weak vein walls and vein valves, is the main reason why varicose and spider veins develop. This means that there is a 60 – 80% chance that someone in your family already has vein problems.

There are also contributing factors that can accelerate the progression of the disease, including pregnancy, birth control pills, lack of exercise, prolonged sitting or standing, and even obesity. The aging process increases the likelihood of varicose and spider veins.