Vein Therapies

Dr. Lisa Airan offers laser vein treatments and sclerotherapy for spider vein removal at her New York City office.

How Laser Vein Treatments Are Performed

The light beam emitted from the laser targets the blood in the vein beneath the skin surface. When the energy is absorbed, it is converted to heat, which results in coagulation, or closure, of the blood vessel.

The laser treatment may feel like a mild sting for a fraction of a second. No anesthesia or pain medicine is required. The laser has a built-in cooling tip that not only helps to protect the skin but also helps to minimize the discomfort.

The average patient requires 1 to 2 treatments at monthly intervals. Sclerotherapy may be used in conjunction with laser treatments to treat patients with both large and small leg veins. Duration of treatment depends on the size of the treatment area and usually is under 10 minutes.

Laser Vein Treatment Recovery

You may have a little redness like a sunburn and mild swelling surrounding the veins treated. Avoid exercise and soaking in a bath for 48 hours after treatment. Compression stockings are worn for 7 days.

No natural tanning or self tanning lotions should be used for 2 weeks prior to your procedure.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a procedure that is the most effective way to eliminate unattractive leg veins. “Spider” veins, known medically as telangiectasia, are excessively dilated small blood vessels in the skin. No one knows exactly what causes them, but mechanical trauma, leg injuries, tight fitting clothes, obesity, long periods of standing or sitting as well as pregnancy, family history and hormones all seem to play a role. The spider veins range in color from red to blue depending on the size of the blood vessels (red=smallest; purple=medium; blue=largest).

How Sclerotherapy is Performed

The micro-injection sclerotherapy technique consists of instilling a concentrated chemical solution into these tiny blood vessels using needles so small that a magnifying glass is required. This solution irritates the inner lining of the blood vessels so that they stop carrying blood and the body slowly replaces them with scar tissue that is invisible on the surface of the skin.

Sclerotherapy Recovery

Postoperative discomfort is usually minimal. After a treatment, normal activities may be resumed in 2 days. You will always wear fitted support hose for 7 days after treatment sessions, and sometimes we will apply compression dressings.

To meet with us and learn more about laser vein treatment and spider vein removal at our New York City office, please request a consultation with Dr. Airan or call (212) 400-0999 to schedule your appointment.