Varicose Vein Treatments: What You Should Know About Laser Treatment
Varicose veins are veins that have become enlarged. For many people, they are simply a cosmetic concern, but for others, they can be uncomfortable and even painful. There are multiple treatment options for getting rid of varicose veins, with laser treatments being some of the most effective. Laser treatment typically has fewer risks and is not as uncomfortable as other treatments. Here is more information about laser treatment for your varicose veins.
Types of Laser Treatments
There are two types of laser treatments that can help with varicose veins: simple treatment and endovenous laser treatment. In both cases, a high beam of light, called a laser, helps to damage the vein and turn it into scar tissue. Once this happens, the vein closes and eventually dies off from lack of blood supply. With the simple laser treatment, the laser is only used on the surface of the skin. This is best for very small varicose veins, as well as spider veins, which are a milder version of varicose veins. You may need to have the laser treatment repeated a few times for it to be effective.
The other type of laser treatment is called endovenous treatment, which helps to get rid of larger varicose veins. The doctor starts with a catheter placed in the vein after numbing the area, then passing a laser fiber through this tube. They are able to see the vein on the screen of an ultrasound machine and use it to guide the laser to the right location. The laser works in the same way as the simple laser treatment, except it is going inside the skin.
The Typical Recovery Period
While you have an easier recovery with laser treatment than if you got vein stripping done, you will still have some mild soreness. You should be able to return to your normal activities within hours or days, depending on the type of laser treatment you received. If you got the simple treatment on the skin, you can go about your activities right away. With endovenous laser treatment, you might be a little more uncomfortable. You will be asked to wear compression stockings during the recovery period.
Potential Risks and Side Effects
There are minimal risks and side effects with laser treatment, but there are a few to be aware of. If you are getting the simple treatment, you have the risk of skin coloring changes and skin burns. For all types of laser treatment for varicose veins, you also run the risk of prickling, pain, nerve damage, or burning sensations after the procedure. For large and deep veins, you run the risk of blood clotting with the endovenous treatment.
For more information about the process and risks, contact a company like Elite Vein Centers.
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