leg vein treatment silicon valley

Leg Vein Treatment is yet another example of how lasers have revolutionized medical procedures. Unsightly and uncomfortable veins in the legs can now be safely treated without invasive surgery and painful recoveries. Laser technology uses the power of light to remove dysfunctional veins in a fast, non-invasive procedure. There’s no reason to continue to suffer from this common affliction. 

Dr. Joshua Korman offers a wide range of laser services, and his prolific knowledge and experience with this innovative technology have made his Silicon Valley offices the premier choice for those looking to take advantage of the latest medical advances. Light-based therapies like laser and intense pulsed light treatments can effectively address a wide range of vascular concerns. This technology is continually improving, and our offices and staff have diligently followed its progress in order to offer our patients the very best results. Relief is in sight for those troubled by visible leg veins and the uncomfortable side effects that often accompany them. Schedule an appointment for a personal consultation and to learn more about the options available. Dr. Korman has offices located across Silicon Valley for ultimate convenience. Contact us via a convenient online form, or call our office in Carmel-By-the Sea at (831) 656-9331, our San Jose location at (408) 831-6229, or Mountain View office at (650) 254-1200.

About Visible Leg Veins 

Spider veins, reticular veins, and varicose veins can occur as the result of aging, genetics, pregnancy, or for those who find themselves standing for extended periods of time. All of these conditions impact circulation, which puts stress on the veins, and leads to venous insufficiency.

Blood moves oxygen through our bodies to nourish tissues. As deoxygenated blood makes its way back up to the heart from our legs, it’s fighting the pull of gravity. Veins are equipped with a series of valves that allow blood to move upward. However, when these valves fail due to any of the conditions listed above, the vein becomes comprised. It loses the ability to efficiently move blood, and a bottle-neck effect occurs. Blood pools in the strained veins, and they become enlarged and visible. 

Types of Common Leg Vein Concerns

Spider veins, or telangiectasia, is recognizable by the thin webs of tiny veins that frequently occur on the legs. These veins are under 1mm in size. Reticular veins, on the other hand (or leg!) are slightly larger (under 3mm in size), and can occur alongside spider veins. While many patients are most concerned about the cosmetic effect of these veins, other patients experience pain, itching, or burning in the area. Unfortunately, these veins are extremely common, and usually begin to appear between the ages of 30 and 50, becoming more prevalent with increasing age. (1)  Spider veins and reticular veins affect more than 80% of Americans. (2)

These small veins typically remain flat on the surface of the skin. Varicose veins, however, are larger, tortuous veins that protrude from the surface of the skin. These veins cause achy, tender sensations in the legs, and if left untreated, can lead to more serious medical conditions. 1 in 12 Americans suffer from varicose veins. (3)

Benefits of Laser Therapy for Leg Veins

  • Laser treatments allow patients a non-invasive option for removing leg veins. Previous vein remedies involved anesthesia, surgery, needles, and considerable recovery time. Surgeons were forced to remove entire lengths of veins, often without eliminating the chance of varicose veins recurring elsewhere in the leg. 
  • Lasers can now remove spider veins that were previously too small to treat. For larger webs of telangiectasia or reticular veins, one or more noninvasive laser sessions can replace a painful series of injections.
  • Lasers offer the ability to be customized to treat the specific size and depth of the vein. 
  • Noninvasive laser treatments allow patients to achieve smooth, healthy legs, and dramatically improve the appearance of their legs. Patients enjoy younger-looking legs and increased confidence.

Candidates

Candidates for laser leg vein treatment are concerned about the appearance and possible symptoms that their visible leg veins present. While lasers can be a successful way to remove certain kinds of veins in the legs, today’s medical advances offer a variety of approaches for treating telangiectasia, reticular, and varicose veins. The best way to determine the most efficient and effective solution for visible leg veins is to schedule a personal consultation at one of Dr. Korman’s offices. To learn more about the other laser services offered at our Mountainview, Carmel, and San Jose offices, follow Dr. Korman’s blog.

Personal Consultation

During a personal consultation, Dr. Korman takes time with each patient to listen to their aesthetic concerns and discuss desired outcomes. For patients who are troubled by visible leg veins, Dr. Korman will examine the area, and review the patient’s medical history to eliminate the possibility of other health conditions and underlying causes. If laser treatments prove to be a viable way to treat the offending leg veins, Dr. Korman will devise a personalized treatment plan, and review the details with the patient. Not all veins can be treated with lasers, and those that can require more than one session to be eliminated completely. 

Laser Leg Vein Treatment Procedure

Lasers are able to penetrate the skin and target the vein by a process called selective photothermolysis. The laser energy is absorbed by the dark pigment in the hemoglobin of the pooling blood. This creates a thermal effect that eventually causes the vein to shut down while leaving the lighter, healthy skin around the vein undamaged. (4) 

Patients receive a topical anesthetic to numb the area. Once it has taken effect, the laser technician adjusts the wavelength and pulse of the laser so that it can reach the correct depth to treat the veins. A laser handpiece is held over the treatment area, and intermittent pulses of laser energy are applied. Many patients compare laser treatment to the sensation to the snapping of a rubber band on their skin, but find the experience tolerable.

Once the vein has been treated sufficiently blood is diverted to other healthy veins, and the section of closed-off vein is re-absorbed back into the body and eventually vanishes from sight. 

Recovery and Results

Patients may experience skin some irritation, bruising, and swelling in the treatment area, but these side effects are usually minimal. The appearance of the treated vein will slowly fade over the course of the next few weeks until the vein has disappeared. A recent study of reticular veins treated with lasers found that the majority of vessels measuring 1 to 3 mm in diameter cleared over 75% with only one treatment. (5)  In another study, 72% of patients who underwent laser treatment reported being extremely satisfied with their results. (6)   

How Much Does Leg Vein Treatment Cost in Silicon Valley?

The cost of laser leg vein treatment will depend on the size and number of veins to be treated, and the number of sessions needed to fully eliminate the problematic vein or veins. As always, an accurate cost estimate will be provided after consultation. Financing options may be available for patients that qualify. We also offer specials that are not to be missed!

FAQ

How do lasers treat leg veins?

Leg veins become visible because of pooling blood that is unable to circulate properly. Laser energy targets the blood’s dark pigmented hemoglobin in the deficient vein. This creates a thermal effect that causes the vein to be sealed off and destroyed. Blood is then diverted to other healthier veins, and the destroyed section of the vein is slowly reabsorbed back into the body and vanishes from sight.  

References

  1. Nakano, L. C., Cacione, D. G., Baptista‐Silva, J. C., & Flumignan, R. L. (2017). Treatment for telangiectasias and reticular veins. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2017(7). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012723Meesters, A. A., Pitassi, 
  2. L. H. U., Campos, V., Wolkerstorfer, A., & Dierickx, C. C. (2014). Transcutaneous laser treatment of leg veins. Lasers in Medical Science, 29(2), 481–492. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-013-1483-2
  3. Almeida, J. I., & Raines, J. K. (2006). Radiofrequency Ablation and Laser Ablation in the Treatment of Varicose Veins. Annals of Vascular Surgery, 20(4), 547–552. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10016-006-9098-8
  4. Ozyurt, K., Colgecen, E., Baykan, H., Ozturk, P., & Ozkose, M. (2012). Treatment of Superficial Cutaneous Vascular Lesions: Experience with the Long-Pulsed 1064 nm Nd:YAG Laser. The Scientific World Journal, 2012, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1100/2012/197139
  5. Omura, N. E., Dover, J. S., Arndt, K. A., & Kauvar, A. N. B. (2003). Treatment of reticular leg veins with a 1064 nm long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 48(1), 76–81. https://doi.org/10.1067/mjd.2003.38
  6. Fodor, L., Ramon, Y., Fodor, A., Carmi, N., Peled, I. J., & Ullmann, Y. (2006). A side-by-side prospective study of intense pulsed light and Nd:YAG laser treatment for vascular lesions. Annals of Plastic Surgery, 56(2), 164–170. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.sap.0000196579.14954.d6