Haut- und Laserzentrum in Munich

 

SPIDER VEINS, VARICOSE VEINS

LASER TREATMENT

The Neodym YAG laser is used for the treatment of blue spider veins and the KPT laser for the treatment of red ones.

 

Spider veins are small dilated blood vessels near to the surface of the skin. Their wheel and spoke shape resembles a spider, hence the name. Spider veins can be red or blue. The laser light penetrates through the surrounding tissue without damaging it, only taking effect within the vein. The blood flow is blocked at this point and the veins are transformed into connective tissue and broken down by the body. This is why a brown to grey shadow can initially occur after the treatment. However, it disappears again after a few days or weeks.

 

The treatment should only be performed on untanned skin. One week before treatment, the patient shouldn't take any blood-thinning medication such as Heparin or Aspirin. Talk to your physician if you are on this kind of medication. Avoid direct exposure to the sun (and solarium use) after treatment for around 14 days. If exposure to the sun is unavoidable, make sure you at least protect the treated area with a high factor sun screen. The treated areas should not be exposed to high heat - e.g. sauna heat - for up to around 4 weeks after the laser treatment.

 

Lasers can also be used to treat many other conditions, such as couperosis on the face. The treatment is generally performed in several sessions. Depending on the position and size of the area to be treated, compression tights or compression dressings can improve the result.