Understanding the Virtues of Vein Removal

A popular aesthetic treatment, laser vein removal often proves effective in helping eliminate or minimize the appearance of unsightly veins beneath the surface of your skin. Depending on the type, such as spider or varicose, laser vein therapy can yield lasting results without damaging any of the surrounding skin. 

If you avoid certain outfits or find yourself dressing to cover the unwanted appearance of veins anywhere on your body, we encourage you to learn about the virtues of vein removal, including some commonly asked questions about the procedure. 

The source of the problem.  

When we talk about visible veins, often in the legs, for example, we’re referring to spider veins or varicose veins. In either case, these are damaged veins that have weakened and appear to bulge beneath the surface of the skin because of too much pressure within their walls. 

While both are damaged veins, the primary difference between spider veins and varicose veins is that spider veins appear more threadlike with varicose veins looking more ropelike. Those who suffer from either or both will likely report aesthetic concerns, worrying about how their legs look when exposed. This is an important consideration, certainly. Appearance matters and how we present ourselves can be a source of confidence or concern. 

However, although spider veins are often painless and really are a cosmetic nuisance, varicose veins can present with serious discomfort, including an aching, heavy feeling, and even result in significant swelling. In some cases, more serious complications like bleeding or ulcers may also occur. 

In these cases, whether purely cosmetic or medically necessary, vein removal is often a viable solution.

The solution.

Vein removal treatments are relatively quick, taking anywhere between 15-30 minutes per session. The efficacy, as always, depends on the severity of the situation and how many veins actually require treatment. In many cases, however, patients report improvement in just 1-3 treatments, spaced at 8-week intervals.

Generally, our patients do not complain of pain. Occasionally, we do hear that the laser pulse causes a mild stinging sensation but, all in all, this is experienced by most people as a painless procedure. 

Perhaps even more encouraging, patients needn’t worry about downtime. In fact, we encourage patients who have had laser vein therapy to get back to their normal activities ASAP, with the exception of vigorous exercise or any hot tub exposure, at least for 24 hours after the procedure. As with most cosmetic procedures, we do advise our patients to stay out of the sun and, when exposed to the sun, use adequate (minimum SPF 30) sun protection. 

“Abington Aesthetic is the best! The staff is always friendly and professional. Everyone makes you feel at ease. Dr. Zelinger is extremely knowledgeable and you can tell he genuinely cares about his clients. He actually told me to wait as long as possible between my laser treatments because that’s what’s best for my skin; whereas, someone else in his position might be more concerned with making money. If you are looking for laser treatments, you won’t find anyone better or more qualified!” — Chanel C. 

When it comes to scheduling your procedure, we encourage you to book a consultation with Dr. Zelinger so that we can collaborate on the best course of action for your specific needs. 

Book online now or give us a call at 215-607-6207.