Leg Vein Removal with IPL or Laser Treatment
Thread veins (or telangiectasia) are small superficial red, purple or blue veins which may appear anywhere on the body, but most commonly on the face and legs. Thread veins occur when the vein dilates and become large enough to be visible through the skin. They are classified according to their appearance as linear, branching or spider telangiectasia. The short wavelength Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) system or laser treatment can be used to eliminate vascular lesions (leg veins).
How does IPL/laser treatment work for vein removal?
The laser light is absorbed by the blood inside the vein. This heats up the wall of the vein which collapses, and the vein then dissolves.
What is a treatment procedure?
A full medical history, including any medication (prescribed, herbal or homeopathic) that you are on, is taken by the doctor. Then a comprehensive treatment programme is written up for your exact needs. A test patch is needed 24 hours before a full treatment can be carried out. During the treatment the leg is prepared and then the applicator head is applied and moved across the area in steps to ensure full coverage. The applicator head is large therefore treatments can be carried out quickly.
How many IPL/laser treatments are needed?
A series of 3 to 6 IPL or laser treatments is recommended at monthly intervals for leg veins.
Are there any side effects to IPL/laser treatment?
Redness and swelling of the treated area may occur (like sunburn). Superficial blistering or crusting may rarely develop, this settles within a few days. There is also a very small risk of pigment change following treatment.
Does skin colour make any difference?
All skin types can be treated with IPL or laser treatment and skin colour makes little difference to the benefits of treatment.
What about little purple/red spots on the skin? What are these? How can you get rid of them?
These may be small knots of visible blood vessels, called Campbell de Morgan or cherry spots. They are common, benign and develop in adult life. If the spots are particularly bothersome, they can be made to shrivel up by using IPL or laser treatment. There is a slight risk that this will cause a pale mark or a little dent on the skin.
What do I need to do after my IPL/laser treatment?
- 1- 2 days after your skin treatment: You may wish to avoid vigorous exercise and swimming, as these may cause irritation. You may prefer not to use any make-up and avoid perfumed products. In case of any irritation, we recommend using a lotion containing Aloe-Vera.
- 1- 5 days after your skin treatment: You may find that hot baths, showers and saunas can cause irritation. You may wish to avoid contact sports while your skin is more sensitive. We advise you to avoid tanning for 5 days after treatment. When sunbathing we recommend a sunscreen with a UVA 5* rating and a UVB protection factor of SPF 30 or more.
Please check the IPL/laser price list for IPL and laser treatment costs.
Contact us for more information on using IPL/laser treatment for leg veins, or to book a consultation.