Had ELT Vein Treatment and Now Experiencing Brown Spot. How Can I Help Get Rid of This?

When the saphenous vein is treated with an EVLT, it becomes very swollen and hard and there is bruising of the tissue around the vein immediately after.  In most cases, the saphenous vein is located at least 2 cm under the skin.  As long as there is a 2 cm "cushion" of fat between the vein and the skin, patients are never aware of the hard cord that their vein turns in to.  In some patients, the vein resides right under the surface of the skin.  In these situations, patients will be much more aware of the healing process that the vein is undergoing.  When the vein is right under the skin, you can actually feel the thickened, hard vein through the skin with you fingers.  You can also sometimes have bruising of the skin because the vein is up against it.  These things typically will resolve with time and it is important to be patient with it.  

Sometimes after ablation, especially if the vein is very close to the skin, the vein may be visible as a brownish discoloration and may feel hard and lumpy.  This is because of trapped blood within the vein.  If the pain and discoloration isn't much, it should go away on its own with a little time. If the pain and discoloration is more obvious, then it may help to drain some of the trapped blood to expedite healing. 

Thank you for your question. The brown discoloration and hardness indicate the treatment worked, and is now healing.  You should see your provider for an evaluation. Sometimes, this area can be punctured to release the pressure and firmness from coagulated blood and speed healing. If the browning persists, greater than 6 months, a tattoo laser may be an option. be certain to be under the supervision of a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon with expertise in cosmetic procedures for the most effective and safe treatments. I hope this helps.

With closure of the saphenous vein a small amount of blood gets trapped in the shutdown vein.  This will produce the hard "knobby" areas along the tract of the treated vein.  As the blood concentrates a depositing of hemosiderin will give a dark "bruise" like appearance under the skin. Generally this will take months to resolve. However, one should get evaluated by the treated physician to determine if any further treatments are necessary.  Sometime aspiration or sucking out the "dried out" blood can improve its appearance.  

After an EVLT procedure the area that was lasered may turn dark or brown especially if the vein is close to the skin.  The vein is closed with a very hot laser that heats the vein lining and blood.  Blood has an iron pigment in it called hemosiderin.  When the blood stagnates or sticks in the vein that is closing down and the vein is close to the skin, then it can look dark or brown under the person's skin.  We try to reassure the patient this will go away with time, warm packs and massage.  Sometimes, we do recommend numbing an area and using a needle to make a hole in the vein and removing some of this old blood.  This will lighten the area some as well if more immediate results are wanted or needed.