Laser Therapy – Spider Veins & Vascular Birthmarks

Laser vein therapy is a treatment that reduces the appearance of visible spider veins and vascular birthmarks with gentle laser technology. These veins and birthmarks can appear in multiple areas, and they often leave patients displeased with their appearance. With controlled, minimally invasive laser energy, we can diminish the appearance of these concerns to help you achieve a more even skin tone and long-lasting results.

At La Jolla Plastic Surgery and Dermatology™, our team prides itself on beingthe only practice in the country under the co-direction of botha triple-board plastic surgeon and a board-certified dermatologist. Dr. Richard Chaffoo is America’s first triple board-certified hair transplant plastic surgeon and hair restoration specialist. Having attained certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery, American Board of Otolaryngology, and American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dr. Chaffoo brings over 30 years of experience to his practice alongside his co-director and partner, Susan Stuart, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist with over 20 years of experience. She is nationally recognized, having received numerous awards throughout her career, and was named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor. Her work is also featured in publications, including InStyle and Cosmopolitan. She specializes in non-surgical treatments and sees all of our female patients.

To schedule your laser vein therapy treatment with Dr. Stuart, please fill in our contact form or call the office to schedule at one of our locations:

About Laser Therapy for Spider Veins and Vascular Birthmarks

Laser vein therapy is a medical treatment that uses laser energy to reduce the appearance of visible veins. This treatment is minimally invasive and can be used to treat multiple vein-related conditions, offering a versatile option that does not require extensive downtime. Laser vein therapy can address broken capillaries, spider veins, and vascular birthmarks (such as port-wine stains).

Spider veins often appear as thin purple or red lines on the face, body, or legs; they form when small blood vessels near the skin’s surface weaken and expand. ⁽¹⁾ They are also linked to hormonal shifts, weight fluctuations, and pregnancy. ⁽²⁾ With gentle laser therapy treatments, we can address them to improve your quality of life.

Benefits of Laser Therapy for Spider Veins and Vascular Birthmarks

There are numerous benefits to receiving laser vein therapy. Laser vein therapy is especially beneficial for addressing the following:

After the treatment, patients can enjoy a more even skin tone. Laser vein therapy also offers a high degree of precision, allowing our expert team to target specific veins without damaging the delicate tissue surrounding them. Dr. Stuart will customize each laser treatment to help maximize each potential benefit, improving each individual’s self-esteem and overall quality of life.

Ideal Candidates

Ideal candidates for laser vein therapy typically want to address visible spider veins on the face, legs, or body. Individuals with vascular birthmarks or port-wine stains may also benefit greatly from this treatment. If you are in good overall health and want to reduce the appearance of visible veins with a non-surgical, minimally invasive therapy, laser vein therapy can help.

However, if you have an underlying medical condition that could affect your ability to heal, we can discuss an alternative treatment to help you address your aesthetic goals.

Contact us online to learn how laser vein therapy can improve your appearance. A member of our team will respond as soon as possible.

Consultation

First, you must schedule a personal consultation with the team at La Jolla Plastic Surgery & Dermatology™. The consultation will help our team get to know you better. During the appointment, Dr. Stuart will discuss your concerns and treatment goals. She will review your medical history and perform a physical examination to determine the best treatment options for you. Dr. Stuart will then craft a treatment plan and provide instructions to help you prepare. Some patients may need multiple sessions to achieve their desired results. She can also discuss additional treatments, depending on your aesthetic goals.

Schedule your consultation today by submitting our online contact form or calling any of our offices:

Preparation

Each patient will receive personalized preparation instructions during their consultation with Dr. Stuart. The preparation process will depend on your treatment plan, and she will tailor your instructions based on your lifestyle. Before your treatment, you must avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements, alcohol consumption, and excessive sun exposure. If you smoke, you must be prepared to quit several weeks before the procedure and refrain from using nicotine or tobacco products until cleared by Dr. Stuart.

Treatment Process

The treatment begins with local anesthesia to help you feel more relaxed. Dr. Stuart will use a handheld device to administer controlled laser energy and reduce the appearance of specific veins beneath the skin. The laser emits pulses of light that your veins absorb, resulting in a process called selective photothermolysis. The energy creates heat, which alters the structure of the vein’s wall. This closes the veins and minimizes their appearance. ⁽³⁾ Over time, the body will eventually reabsorb the vein. This treatment typically lasts between 15-45 minutes.

After Your Treatment

Afterward, you may experience redness, swelling, or light bruising in the treatment area, but this gradually resolves within the following days. You can alleviate any discomfort with over-the-counter medications and/or cold compresses. To minimize the risk of skin damage, you must avoid excessive sun exposure. Most patients can return to work within the same day or the next 1-2 days.

Results

The full effects of laser vein therapy can be seen a few weeks to months after the initial appointment, depending on the size and depth of the veins. Patients will notice the treated veins fading in color before they are absorbed by the body, leaving even-toned skin. The results are long-lasting, as treated veins do not return. However, new veins may eventually appear in the surrounding areas.

Corresponding Procedures

Many procedures can be performed alongside laser vein therapy. For patients experiencing skin damage and uneven pigmentation, Dr. Stuart can resurface the skin with a Fraxel re:store® DUAL laser treatment. This popular and effective laser treatment can help reduce sun damage, abnormal pigmentation, and visible signs of aging, such as wrinkles and fine lines. It stimulates collagen production, leading to an improvement in skin texture and tone.

Read our blog to learn more about the different procedures that Dr. Stuart can perform in addition to laser vein therapy.

Cost of Laser Therapy for Spider Veins and Vascular Birthmarks in La Jolla

The cost of laser therapy for spider veins and vascular birthmarks depends on your personalized treatment plan and whether you need a series of treatments to achieve your goals. After your consultation, you will receive a price quote.

At La Jolla Plastic Surgery & Dermatology™, we are proud to offer various financing options to help our patientsbreak up the cost of their procedure.

Schedule a consultation to learn more about how laser vein therapy can improve your appearance. Contact our office or call your closest La Jolla Plastic Surgery & Dermatology™ office to get started:

FAQ

References

1. Sandean DP, Winters R. Spider Veins. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563218/
2. Spider Vein Treatment. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/spider-vein-treatment
3. Huang Y, Wu Z, Lui H, Zhao J, Xie S, Zeng H. Precise closure of single blood vessels via multiphoton absorption–based photothermolysis. Science Advances. 2019;5(5). doi:https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aan9388