SPIDER VEIN REMOVAL

Spider Vein Removal Via Our Advanced Laser Treatments

 

Stop trying to hide those unsightly veins, there is a fast solution

 

Our advanced spider vein laser treatment will erase those annoying spider veins on your legs or body and give you back the confidence to wear that mini skirt! We also offer facial spider vein removal treatments which are very popular and so much more convenient than spending time and effort masking facial veins with makeup every day.

 

PURPOSE

REMOVAL OF SPIDER VEINS

SUITABILITY

FEMALE & MALE

PAIN

●●○○○

TIME

30 MINUTES (Preparation required)

PREPARATION

Some spider veins are treated with laser (spider veins aka broken capillaries on the face are always treated with laser, spider veins on the legs will either have to be injected or lasered). Our The Doctor will advise the best treatment method at the consultation.

 

For laser:
  • Avoid direct sun exposure 2 weeks before & after
  • Avoid vitamin A & prescription skincare for 1 week
  • No products on skin for appointment (i.e. makeup, artificial tan, moisturiser)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What Are Those Annoying Spider Veins?

Spider Vein Removal is best understood by first knowing what spider veins really are. Spider veins, a type of vascular lesion, are abnormal veins that are like varicose veins but occur closer to the skin’s surface and smaller in size and appearance. They are usually blue/red and appear most commonly on the face or legs. Spider veins look like branches of a tree or spiders’ webs and can cover a large or small area of skin.

What Causes Spider Veins?

How veins function – a quick anatomy lesson
Veins transport deoxygenated blood back to the heart. In the legs, the superficial veins (veins just below the skin’s surface) collect blood which is then delivered to other, deeper veins within the calf muscle. The normal functioning of the calf muscle helps to pump blood back to the heart, against the force of gravity. Valves inside the veins stop the blood from traveling back down the leg.

However, if the valves become weak and can’t close properly, blood collects in the superficial veins. As time goes by, these veins become ‘varicose’ – they distend (swell) with blood. Varicose veins are characterised by a twisted, knobbly and bluish-purple appearance, and can be painful. For more information on varicose veins plus how About Face Brisbane can get rid of them, visit our varicose veins treatment page.

Spider veins
Spider veins are like Varicose veins – they form in the same way – but they are smaller and closer to the skin’s surface. Most of the time, spider veins don’t pose a health risk, except for rare cases when they are associated with:

  • the formation of ulcers as a result of the vein not draining properly
  • bleeding of the thin, easily injured skin over the spider vein
  • formation of blood clots in the vein (thrombosis)
  • vein inflammation, called phlebitis, caused by clotted blood in the vein.

Spider veins are usually blue or red, and sometimes have an appearance similar to a tree branch or spider web – this is why their common name is spider veins. The most common places they occur on the body are the face and legs. Spider veins may affect a large or small area of skin.

How Does Laser Spider Vein Removal Work?

About Face Brisbane uses the latest and most effective spider vein removal technique: spider vein laser treatment. Our Cosmetic Physicians have performed spider vein laser treatments with a flawless safety record and an excellent success rate.

The laser energy from our Dynamis Long Pulse Nd:YAG or Diolite KTP laser is absorbed by the pigment in the blood (oxyhemoglobin) contained within the spider veins. As the energy is absorbed, the area of skin above and around the spider veins will become temporarily white in colour. After a few minutes, the spider veins won’t be visible anymore, which indicates the desired effect has been achieved. This makes the process very controlled and safe.

Selective Photothermolysis is the name of the method used for spider vein removal. This process is the conversion of light energy to heat energy, with the heat affecting the target spider veins but not damaging the tissue surrounding them. This selective heating up of the spider veins causes them to disintegrate and shrink, allowing them to be absorbed safely into the body.

How Can I Prevent Spider Veins From Forming?

Unfortunately, as there are lots of genetic and environmental factors that cause spider veins, there isn’t much that can be done to prevent them. There is nothing medically that you can do or take in order to stop spider veins from forming. There are a few things that might help:

  • Wearing support (compression) stockings (medical grade)
  • Minimising the amount of time you spend wearing high heels
  • Exercising regularly to improve blood circulation.

Can Laser Be Used To Get Rid Of Spider Veins?

In some cases, About Face Brisbane can treat spider veins with laser therapy, but Dr Campey would need to take a look at your veins during a free consultation to confirm this.

Does Spider Vein Laser Treatments Hurt?

The treatment is not painful, but you may feel a little heat sensation in areas. Again, this is very much an individual response as everyone has different pain thresholds. We do everything to make sure your treatment is comfortable for you.

What Are The Side Effects Of Laser Treatment?

In the weeks following treatment, the treated veins may appear slightly darker. This is a normal process of the vein coagulation and will fade over a period of weeks.

How Many Treatments Will I Need To Get Rid Of My Spider Veins?

The number of treatments required will vary from person to person. This can range from 1 to 3 sessions.

What Other Vascular Lesions Besides Spider Veins Can You Treat With Laser?

Laser treatment is now standard practice for treating vascular lesions (disorders of the blood vessels). About Face Brisbane regularly uses laser therapy to remove:

  • Veins of all sizes, except most varicose veins (sclerotherapy is usually the best option to remove varicose veins)
  • Broken capillaries, including on the face
  • Vascular birthmarks (port wine stains)
  • Cherry angiomas
  • Campbell de Morgan spots
  • Haemangiomas