Is Laser Treatment the Best Option for Your Vein Disease?
As a vein specialist, one of the most common questions I hear during initial consultations is, "Is laser treatment right for me?" It's a great question, and the answer isn't always a simple yes or no.
Let's break down the two main types of laser therapy used for chronic venous insufficiency and when each might be a good fit.
Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT): For Larger Veins
EVLT (Endovenous Laser Treatment) is a medical procedure primarily used for larger, "trunk" superficial veins like the Great Saphenous Vein (running along the inner thigh to the foot) and the Small Saphenous Vein (on the back of the lower leg).
Here's how it works: A thin catheter is inserted into the affected vein under ultrasound guidance. Laser energy is then delivered through the catheter, generating heat that essentially cauterizes the vein from the inside. This heat causes the vein to close off and eventually be reabsorbed by your body over time. Think of it as safely sealing off the problematic vein.
EVLT is typically covered by medical insurance, similar to Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA). While both procedures are very effective and quite similar, EVLT typically reaches higher temperatures than RFA. It's worth noting that EVLT carries a slightly higher, though still small, risk of nerve damage and deep vein thrombosis compared to RFA.
Cosmetic Laser Sclerotherapy: For Spider Veins
The other type of laser therapy you might hear about is cosmetic laser sclerotherapy, which is specifically designed for spider veins and is not typically covered by medical insurance. With this treatment, concentrated laser energy is directly applied to the spider veins. The heat damages the vein walls and coagulates the trapped blood, causing the veins to fade over time.
However, it's important to understand the distinctions between laser treatment and injection cosmetic sclerotherapy for spider veins. Injection sclerotherapy involves injecting a special solution (sclerosing agent) directly into the spider veins, which then travels through connected branches to treat a larger area. Laser treatment, on the other hand, treats very short segments of veins at a time.
In my experience, cosmetic laser spider vein treatment generally takes longer, can be more uncomfortable, and often requires more sessions compared to injection cosmetic sclerotherapy. I typically recommend cosmetic laser therapy for very fine spider veins that are too small to be effectively treated with a needle during sclerotherapy.
Ultimately, I find that laser cosmetic therapy is an excellent choice for those stubborn, residual fine spider veins that remain after most of the larger spider veins have been successfully treated with several sessions of cosmetic sclerotherapy.
