Laser Vein Treatments with Harmony™
Laser Vein Removal
By the time we reach adulthood, most of us are familiar with the tiny spider like veins that can appear on the face and legs. Spider veins, or telangiectasias, are small veins that are blue, purple or red in color and reside close to the surface of the skin. There are many reasons as to why spider veins form—hormones, heredity, weight gain, trauma, certain medications and prolonged standing can all have an effect. And while these veins still remain connected to the deeper venous system, once they appear they serve no specific function or purpose. Because of this, many men and women search for ways to remove them. Knowing why your spider veins appear and finding the right treatment to remove them will help you to achieve a clearer, more uniform complexion that lasts. Our LightTouch Med Spa locations in Mississauga, Oakville, Waterloo, Milton, and Markham can help you treat your spider or varicose veins, and eliminate them painlessly.
As there are so many individuals that currently have spider veins (it is estimated that close to 50% of adult females suffer with some degree of spider veins) several different treatments have been developed to combat them. Spider veins are most commonly treated in one of two ways: IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments or laser vein removal treatments. In addition to these procedures there are also surgical vein procedures that can eliminate spider veins, however spider vein removal is secondary to the removal of larger varicose or feeder veins therefore these treatments would not be performed for spider veins alone.
Left untreated, varicose veins can lead to thrombophlebitis (clots in the veins), bleeding from veins, and chronic venous insufficiency. Chronic venous insufficiency can ultimately lead to leg ulceration.
Laser Vein Treatments
A large number of men and women all over the world suffer from disorders of the blood vessels of the legs. Because of the various diameters, depths and pressures found with these vessels, laser vein treatments often requires a combination of therapies. Our med spa is able to treat both superficial and deep tissue damage. Depending on the nature of the vessels, either the Nd:YAG or an AFT treatment will be used to produce the desired effect. In fact, using a combination of 1064-nm laser light in conjunction with various broadband AFT treatment parameters has, in many cases, been shown to be more effective than laser treatment alone.
Whereas classical IPL works for certain smaller leg veins, it is generally accepted that Nd:YAG technology is much more effective than IPL for the majority of deeper leg vein treatments.
How Does Laser Vein Removal Work?
Lasers emit high energy at a specific wavelength (or colour) in a single beam. Intense pulsed light (IPL) is broadband light and delivers hundreds of wavelengths (or colours) in a single discharge. Both lasers and IPL are able to specifically target blood (haemoglobin) in the skin without damaging surrounding tissues. The light energy is absorbed by blood inside the veins, heating up the vessel wall, which collapses and then dissolves. Whereas Nd:YAG lasers are able to deliver focused pulses of energy to individual larger blood vessels, IPL and pulsed dye lasers are more suitable for the red flares of vessels.
What Does the Treatment Feel Like?
The energy is delivered in very short flashes of light called pulses. As the laser light impacts onto the skin’s surface the sensation is similar to the snap of a thin rubber band. The procedure produces only mild discomfort and usually normal activities can be resumed immediately.
Is Laser Vein Treatment Safe?
There is no evidence whatsoever to suggest laser vein removal can lead to skin disorders or increase the risk of skin cancer. Our lasers are cleared by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and have full CSA clearance for Canada.
Are There Any Side Effects?
In rare cases redness and irritation of the treated area may occur (like sunburn). There is also a small risk of pigment change following treatment. A small minority of patients develop bruising and blistering. This settles within a few days.
How Many Treatments Are Needed?
A series of 2 to 4 treatments is recommended at monthly intervals for leg veins.
Need To Know More About Our Vascular Lasers?
Light Touch Med Spa offers 2 laser systems to ensure optimal removal of unwanted leg veins.
- Alma Harmony (1064/532 Nd:YAG laser 2mm + 6mm tip )
- Alma Harmony IPL (540-950 / 570-950)
ND Yag – (for deeper veins)- laser vein treatment heats up the vessels using a carefully controlled pulse of laser energy. This is precisely calculated and directed to the vessel being treated. It causes the blood inside the vessel to heat up (while not affecting the surrounding skin) and this causes the wall of the vessel to collapse, destroying the vessel. The destroyed vessel is reabsorbed naturally by your white blood cells.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) – (for spider veins) -Intense pulsed light or IPL treatments are designed to eliminate unwanted spider veins through the use of pulsed laser light. During the treatment, the laser light penetrates through the outer layers of skin and reaches the dermis below at several different wavelength depths. Once the veins are deprived of blood, they will shrivel up and be naturally absorbed and eradicated by the body.
What To Expect After the Laser Vein Removal Procedure:
The appearance of treated vessels will change shades, turning from blue and purple into light red, eventually disappearing in two to six weeks. Within a few hours following the procedure, bulging vessels or any inflammation will disappear.
Like many procedures involving heat, protection from the sun is highly recommended after a laser spider vein removal procedure at Light Touch Laser Clinic Clinic. Healing can be facilitated by wearing support hose. Medication containing aspirin should be avoided. An additional one to three laser spider vein removal treatments can be scheduled six weeks apart to treat new spider veins. Those with a tendency towards vascular problems will most likely require additional treatments.
For more information on Vein Treatments Mississauga, click the link!
Before and After Photo Gallery
*Results may vary from pictures as shown above*
*Results may vary from pictures as shown above*
*Results may vary from pictures as shown above*
*Results may vary from pictures as shown above*
