Laser Treatment for Veins and Vascular Conditions

Vascular laser treatment is not suitable for everyone. You should not have this treatment if you have any of the following conditions:

• Have an active infection at the site of treatment
• Have active cold sores at the time of treatment
• Have excessively tanned skin from the sun
• Have an impaired immune system due to immunosuppressive diseases or medications
• Are taking strong blood-thinning medications
• Have metal or other implants in the treatment area
• Have a disease which may be stimulated by light, such as Epilepsy, Porphyria and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Our laser practitioners will perform an initial consultation to assess your suitability for laser treatment. You may be able to have treatment on the same day; however, in some cases, you may need to wait a week or two to prepare your skin before treatment.

During treatment, you will be reclined or lying down and wearing protective eye shields. Your practitioner will set laser parameters according to your specific skin type and the skin condition being treated and will talk you through the process.

The heat from the laser pulses may be slightly uncomfortable during and immediately following treatment; however, discomfort is significantly reduced using our specialised cooling device.

You should avoid skin irritation or intentional tanning. It is recommended that you avoid the sun for 4-6 weeks before treatment. Tanning creams and spray tans should also be avoided.

Treatment of tanned skin may cause blistering or pigmentation changes, so we cannot treat you while you have a tan. Vitamin A creams and serums should be discontinued 1 week before treatment.

If you are on any medications, please inform your practitioner. Non–special blood thinners may be stopped 1-2 weeks before treatment to minimise the risk of bruising.

Vascular laser treatment can take anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour, depending on the number of vessels and areas being treated. Depending on the size and number of veins, 2-6 treatments will be needed.

The treatments are usually performed 2-6 weeks apart, depending on the vessels being treated. Those with a tendency toward vascular problems will most likely require additional treatments.

Straight after treatment, you will feel warmth in the skin, which may be red for a few hours. In some cases, redness may persist for 24-48 hours.

Soon after the procedure, you may feel a slight bump on the skin; it should disappear within hours after treatment.

Leg veins or larger vessels may appear bruised or darker red following treatment, and this discolouration will fade over the next few weeks.

After laser therapy, it is strongly recommended that you avoid the sun completely to reduce hyperpigmentation. You must wear sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30+. We recommend Medik8 sunscreens, which are available in our clinic.

If you are experiencing discomfort, ice may be applied to the treated area. For 48 hours after treatment, avoid strenuous exercise or excessively hot showers. Depending on the specific vessels being treated, your practitioner may recommend a longer period.

If leg veins have been treated, healing and comfort can be improved by wearing compression stockings and elevating your legs when possible. For those being treated for general redness or rosacea, we highly recommend the Medik8 anti-redness ‘Calmwise’ range of products for ongoing skin maintenance.

The side effects of vascular lasers are usually mild and generally resolve completely. However, in rare cases, more serious complications can occur.

Short-term side effects, such as redness, mild burning, temporary bruising, swelling and temporary skin discolouration, are possible. These effects typically subside within days to weeks following treatment.

In very rare cases, blistering, scarring and permanent discolouration may occur. Changes in pigmentation (lightening and darkening) are more common in olive or darker complexions or those who are tanned.

Following appropriate before- and aftercare instructions and using cooling devices during treatment to enhance comfort and safety can minimise risks.

This is an excellent question that we receive frequently about cosmetic treatments. It’s important to understand that nothing is permanent in cosmetic medicine because our face and body continue to age regardless of the treatments we undergo to improve or enhance our appearance.

When we laser veins, we trace them with intense but precisely directed thermal light from the laser. This causes the blood within the damaged vein to coagulate, and the vessel wall to collapse and seal permanently. Our advanced laser technology selectively targets only the unwanted vessels without damaging the surrounding skin tissue.

Once the laser has treated that section of the vein, our body sends specialised cleanup cells called macrophages to break down and remove the debris. This natural healing process typically takes several weeks to complete, and sometimes a second or third treatment may be needed to eliminate stubborn vessels thoroughly.

Once treated vessels are destroyed, they are permanently gone. However, like other signs of ageing, new veins and capillaries may develop over time as our vascular system ages or experiences increased pressure from factors such as standing, pregnancy, or genetics. These age-related changes can cause vessel walls to become more fragile and prone to damage in other areas.

Therefore, whilst laser treatment permanently eliminates treated vessels, some individuals may benefit from annual maintenance appointments to address any new vessels that develop. It’s worth noting that not everyone requires repeat treatments, and many clients enjoy long-lasting results from their initial treatment series.