Question 1

What is ClearV laser vein treatment?

Accepted Answer

The ClearV laser, developed by Sciton, treats veins and other vascular concerns on the face and the body. It harnesses the power of light to target and destroy unwanted or abnormal blood vessels without harming the surrounding healthy skin.

A type of Neodymium YAG laser, commonly called an Nd:YAG, the ClearV can treat:

Broken capillaries
Spider veins
Vascular lesions, like port wine stains and hemangiomas
Veins around the eyes (aka periorbital veins)
Skin discoloration

The ClearV laser has a wavelength of 1064 nanometers, which targets the red pigment in blood vessels. The laser energy selectively, precisely reaches the deeper layers of the skin, to heat and destroy unwanted blood vessels or lesions. Over time, the damaged veins or lesions break apart and are naturally absorbed by the body.

The ClearV handpiece is unique because it’s designed to visualize below the skin using built-in yellow or orange light. According to the manufacturer, this “subsurface vein illumination” helps to illuminate blood vessels—including those that can’t even be seen on the skin yet—for more thorough and effective treatment.

RealSelf Tip: Make sure to find a provider who specializes in laser treatments, especially for treatments performed around the eye, where the safety of your vision has to be the top priority.

Question 2

What are the pros and cons of ClearV?

Accepted Answer

Pros

ClearV treats a wide range of vascular concerns.
It’s suitable for all skin types and tones, in the hands of an experienced provider.
Popular treatment areas include the face, neck, chest, and legs, but it can treat skin anywhere on the body.
It’s a quick treatment, taking just 30 minutes on average.
It typically requires no downtime, so you’ll be able to resume normal activities right away.
The ClearV laser is nonablative, meaning it leaves the surface of your skin intact while the laser heats the lower layer.
The device cools the skin during treatment, to minimize discomfort.

Cons

ClearV can’t treat varicose veins.
While the treatment is tolerable, you may feel a brief hot, stinging sensation (like the snap of a rubber band) as your skin absorbs the laser energy.
You may need a series of up to six treatments, a month apart, and results aren’t immediate.
Touch-up sessions may also be required to maintain your results over time.
As with other Nd:YAG lasers, ClearV treatment can have poor outcomes, including burns and scars, in the hands of an inexperienced provider.
Not all providers consider the Nd:YAG laser to be the best option to treat vascular issues. In many practices, the pulsed-dye laser is considered the gold standard for addressing these concerns. Others prefer sclerotherapy to treat spider veins. A vascular specialist can recommend the best treatment option for your specific concerns.

RealSelf Tip: Nd:YAG lasers like this one are considered “pigment-friendly,” so it can safely, effectively treat all skin types and tones—with longer wavelengths and pulse durations that lower the risk of skin damage. To be safe, a test spot should be performed for patients with olive, brown, or deep skin tones, to ensure they’re a good candidate.

Question 3

What happens during a ClearV treatment?

Accepted Answer

This in-office treatment can be performed by a physician or a technician under their supervision.

Here’s what to expect:

You’ll be asked to wear safety goggles or glasses to protect your eyes.
After your skin is cleansed, a gel will be applied to the treatment area to keep your skin cool and help the laser glide across it.
Your provider will adjust the settings on the laser, including the amount of energy it delivers (joules) and the amount of time the energy is delivered (pulse width).
The handpiece has an integrated spot size adjuster, so they’ll be able to easily select the right spot size for the treatment area.
They will then move the handpiece across your skin, delivering the laser energy.
You’ll feel a hot pinprick sensation throughout the treatment; it’s briefly uncomfortable, but anesthesia isn’t usually required.
Depending on the size of the area being treated, the procedure takes a few minutes to an hour.

When your treatment is over, your skin may feel warm or hot, and you may experience some slight swelling. Icing the area can help reduce any discomfort.

Question 4

How long does recovery take after a ClearV treatment?

Accepted Answer

You won’t need any time off work for recovery after a ClearV treatment, but you may want to take some social downtime while your skin heals.

For a day or two after treatment, it’s normal to experience:

A sunburn sensation and a “cat scratch” appearance
Slight bruising and some soreness

Compressing the treated area (particularly after spider vein treatment) and avoiding vigorous exercise for the first 48 hours post-treatment can help minimize these side effects.

Question 5

How soon will you see ClearV results?

Accepted Answer

Depending on your concern, it usually takes a series of up to six treatments to see optimal results. Treatments are typically scheduled 4-6 weeks apart.

If your skin looks worse before it gets better, don’t worry: treated vessels can be (or become) more visible—slightly red, purple, or bruised—than they were before treatment. This discoloration fades after a week or so, at which point the veins or lesions will become less noticeable.

CLEARV

Karyn Repinski

Karyn Repinski

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Karyn Repinski

Karyn Repinski

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