Side Effects of Laser Spider Vein Treatment?

asked 1 year ago by aamom in Potomac, MD
Latest answer by Vivek Bansal, MD
Question viewed 912 times
Tags: olive skin, side effects, spider veins

I am anxious to get my spider veins zapped, and although it seems pretty safe I am concerned about the hyperpigmentation risk. The med spa I am considering keeps asking about my tanning history, which is making me a little concerned. I have light skin leaning just a tad toward olive, and aside from wearing shorts in the summer do not spend time sunning or tanning. Am I flirting with disaster?

8 answers to Side Effects of Laser Spider Vein Treatment?

Laser Vein Treatment for Olive to Dark Skin

Thank you for your question. It is true that is that not all lasers are safe for all skin types and misuse can result in permanent darkening (hyperpigmentation) or lightening (hypopigmentation) of the treated skin. These changes tend to affect darker skin to a greater degree, however there are lasers that are successful for darker skin types. In our San Francisco Bay Area practice we use an Nd:YAG laser that has been shown to be safe and effective on most skin types. The fact... more

Steven H. Williams, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Vein Treatment

If the veins are on the face, no worries. But if they are on the legs, pigmentation can be a risk for the first year, and if pigmentation occurs, then you will have to wait months to a year for that to fade, or treat with a tattoo laser and this will help reduce the color.

Vivek Bansal, MD
Danville Plastic Surgeon

Laser Hair Removal... Risk of Hyperpigmentation

Laser vein removal is common for treating unsightly spider veins on legs. Hyperpigmentation is a common side effect of all laser treatments whether it is on your legs, face, arms, etc. The med spa you are thinking of going to sounds like they just want you to be aware of the risks and to be cautious about tanning before or after the treatments. This is a reasonable precaution. Always make sure the provider whom is treating you has experience with the... more

Grant Stevens, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Side Effects of Laser Vein Treatments

Hi AAmom. It's likely that the facility considering this procedure for you is asking about your skin type and tanning habits because they are not using the correct technology. In the legs, the best laser for small spider veins (less than 1mm) is the long pulsed Nd:Yg laser (1064). Using this laser, even if you are olive skin toned, is not a problem. We use it for African Americans with spider veins and it is perfectly safe. It is likely this... more

Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Problems with Laser Vein Therapy

Make sure you go to a place where there is a physician who has extenssive experience with lazer therapy. Do not go to a place where there is just a tech doin the work. Burns are possible, changes in skin collor are possible as well.

Victoria Karlinsky, MD
Manhattan General Surgeon

Spider veins

Sclerotherapy remains the gold standard for leg veins. That is why there are many lasers for leg veins because some work others may be others do not. You laser treatment should be evaluated and DONE by the PHYSICIAN. not the nurse, technician etc.If your doctor does not or is not willing to give you the time to treat and explain the risks then find some one who does.

Samir Shureih, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Lasering leg veins generally has minimal risk of hyperpigmentation

I'm not sure what platform your physician uses for laser treatment of leg veins, but we have extensive experience with the Lumenis One and we just don't see hyperpigmentation. I'm not sure your ethnicity but you say you have light skin, slightly olive. That shouldn't be a problem. However, it's not a bad idea to get a test shot or two, wait a couple weeks or more, and see how you do. Also if you do get hyperpigmentation, it usually goes... more

Douglas J. Mackenzie, MD
Santa Barbara Plastic Surgeon

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