Assure 210 Laser
Nuova Pelle Cosmetic Clinic offers Laser Spider Vein Removal services in our friendly atmosphere. We use the Assure 210 laser for our procedures.
The Assure 210 laser’s biggest advantage is that it works well on all skin types, in particular even on tanned skin and darker skin. This is something other lasers cannot do.
Non invasive. No downtime. Excellent results.
Assure210 Laser produces a 1064nm wavelength beam, delivered. While the rest of the skin is almost completely transparent for this wavelength, it is comparatively absorbed in blood. Thus, the laser beam passes through the skin and penetrates the targeted vessel. The laser energy heats up and coagulates blood inside the vessel. Unsupported, vessel walls collapse and seal. These vessels later dissolve. The laser energy is delivered through a hand-held device.
Spider veins: Known medically as telangiectasias or sunburst varicosities, these tiny veins are connected to the larger venous system, but are not an essential part of it, so health risks are not a major factor in spider vein removal. These are small, red, blue, or purple blood vessels that lie close to the skin. Spider veins can appear in a spider-like shape with a group of veins radiating outward from a dark central point. They may also appear as tiny-branch like shapes, or appear as linear spider veins.
What causes varicose and spider veins?
No one knows the exact cause of spider and varicose veins, but there are several factors that cause a person to be more likely to develop them. Heredity, or being born with weak vein valves, is the greatest factor. Hormones also play a role. The hormonal changes that occur during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, as well as taking estrogen, progesterone, and birth control pills can cause a woman to develop varicose veins or spider veins. During pregnancy, besides the increases in hormone levels, there also is a great increase in the volume of blood in the body that can cause veins to enlarge. The enlarged uterus also puts more pressure on the veins. (Within 3 months after delivery, varicose veins usually improve. However, more abnormal veins are likely to develop and remain after additional pregnancies.)
Other factors that weaken vein valves and that may cause varicose or spider veins include aging, obesity, leg injury, and prolonged standing, such as for long hours on the job. Spider veins on the cheeks or nose of a fair-skinned person may occur from sun exposure.
Benefits of Spider Vein Removal
There are many reasons why a person would want to undergo spider vein removal. Even though reasons vary from person to person, the more common include:
- Enhancing appearance and self-confidence
- Improving upon appearance of the skin
- Wanting appearance of younger looking legs
- Remedying bothersome symptoms associated with spider veins.
Note: Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consider holding off on treatments for spider veins through injection sclerotherapy. That’s because spider veins caused by pregnancy will naturally disappear on their own a few months after the baby is born.
Laser treatment of spider veins
During laser treatment, the laser is applied to the skin over your spider veins. Laser energy causes your spider veins to coagulate and shrink. Laser therapy is most effective for small and medium size spider veins. Large spider veins respond poorly and are best treated with sclerotherapy.
Treatments are associated with mild discomfort, not unlike a small rubber band snapping against skin. Treatments usually do not require sedatives, pain medications, or injections of local anesthetic. Immediately following treatment, spider veins will be darker and more visible. Over two to six weeks, your spider veins usually fade. After each treatment, you will see a 70% to 80% improvement in the appearance of face spider veins and 30-40% improvement in leg spider veins. An average of three treatments will be required at three-month intervals. Combination therapy If you have small, medium, and large spider veins, you may benefit from both sclerotherapy and laser therapy.
You may wish to start with sclerotherapy, because sometimes all veins will be improved after injecting the larger ones. This may reduce the number of veins that need to be treated by laser, and minimize your overall cost.
Ideal candidate:
- In general, the best candidates for laser removal of spider veins:
- Are physically healthy
- Are psychologically stable
- Do not smoke
- Want to change their appearance
- Have superficial spider veins that will respond to laser treatment
- Have fair skin or the appropriate skin tone for the type of laser used
- Are not taking Accutane, nor have taken it for the previous 18 months
- Do not have unusual scar formations, such as keloids
- Are well informed about the procedure
- Hold realistic expectations about the outcome
Pre-treatment
- In order to achieve the best success, we advise the use of tight-fitting support hose (15 psi) for a week after your treatment. You should purchase these and bring them with you for your appointment.
For an example you could buy them at Shapings.com. Please bring a comfortable pair of shorts to wear during the procedure.
2.Avoid active tanning for one week prior to your treatment.
What can I expect during the Spider Vein Removal treatment?
Treatments are associated with mild discomfort, not unlike a small rubber band snapping against skin.
What can I expect after the Spider Vein Removal procedure?
You may experience some redness and swelling of the treated area, which should disappear within a few days. Generally, the veins will turn a purple color that resembles a small bruise, and then gradually fade within 5-10 days.
What are the possible side effects of Spider Vein Removal?
While side effects are uncommon, the skin over the treated vessel will appear red and swollen for a few hours after treatment. Bruising is the most common side effect. Because the laser generates heat within the vessel, there is a small risk of a water blister. Rarely this may result in a change in skin pigmentation at that site or scarring. Published studies state that the risk of scarring is less than 1%.
Can I be treated if I am tanned?
Forever Beauty Inc. uses the Assure210 Laser which is Health Canada cleared for all skin types, it has been proven to safely treat skin with various pigment density. Pigment in tanned skin patients is increased bringing its level to the same level as that of naturally dark skin. Assure210 combination of wavelength, pulse duration and cooling provides safety in the treatment of tanned skin.
How many treatments are required for Spider Vein Removal?
Depending on the severity of the veins you may require anywhere between one and three treatments approximately six weeks apart. The treatment is performed on the existing vessels, diminishing or completely eliminating their appearance. However, any new developing veins cannot be prevented. If your body tends to develop vascular problems you will most likely need to return for additional treatments.
What is the recovery period like? (How long will it take for my veins to disappear?)
Recovery times depend on the extent of the treatment and the individual’s capacity to heal. Some redness or purple discoloration may persist for several weeks, or longer. The redness will gradually lighten to a pink tone, and then to a lighter, more natural color.
After Care
You may continue with normal daily activities, however, you need:
- Avoid prolonged sun exposure or tanning for 5 to 7 days after your treatments.
- Avoid anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin or Advil for 5 to 7 days after your treatment. You may use Tylenol. Minimize or eliminate alcohol as well.
- Avoid vigorous exercise for 5 to 7 days. Also avoid Jacuzzis and hot baths. You may take a warm bath.
- Use support hose for a week (support hose should be at least 15 psi.)
- Redness normally occurs following a treatment. This will subside in 2 to 3 days. Hydrocortisone cream 1% (for example, Cortaid) can be applied to help with the redness.
Will my treated veins come back?
Once a vein is completely dead and reabsorbed, it should be gone. However, a person who has already made spider veins may have a tendency to make more in the future. Any newly developing vein can be quickly treated.