Overview

During this quick and painless procedure, laser light is used to penetrate the skin and reduce or eliminate the appearance of spider veins.

Calibrating the Laser

Before a laser treatment, the patient may be asked to come in for a calibration session. During the calibration, the doctor tests the laser at various settings on a small patch of skin. A few days later, the doctor examines the skin to study how it is healing and to determine which frequency is the best for the patient's skin type.

Procedure

Once the laser setting has been determined, the procedure can begin. The skin is cleansed, and the physician uses a handheld laser device to bombard the dilated veins with intense bursts of light. The laser causes the veins to coagulate and shrink.

End of Procedure and Aftercare

Once the procedure is complete, the skin is covered with an antibiotic. The veins will darken after the treatment, but will then gradually fade away as the skin heals during the next week to ten days. The skin may be tender for a few weeks after the procedure, and ice packs or and topical gels may be used to minimize discomfort as it heals.