WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING TREATMENT?

Treatment will take place in your practitioner’s office. You will wear safety eyewear to protect your eyes from the laser light. Your practitioner will guide the laser to the treatment areas with a small handpiece. Each laser pulse may be preceded and followed by a short pulse of cooling spray. A treatment could take as little as a few minutes to as long as an hour, depending on the area and condition being treated.

DOES IT HURT?

Some patients may feel a slight discomfort with each laser pulse, sometimes described as the snapping of a rubber band on the skin. This discomfort resolves in several seconds and is minimized by applying a cool compress intermittently during the treatment. For some patients, a topical anesthetic may be used prior to treatment. Be sure to discuss this with your practitioner.

HOW MANY TREATMENT SESSIONS WILL I NEED?

The number of sessions depends on the treatment you require and the condition of your individual vascular system. Many factors impact the efficacy of individual laser treatments, including the severity of the condition being treated.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR TREATMENT?

If you have had a history of perioral herpes prophylactic antiviral therapy may be prescribed. Your skin should be thoroughly cleaned and dried, removing any makeup, creams, oils, topical anesthetics or self tanning products before laser treatment. The intended treatment area should not be exposed to sunlight or tanning booth light for 14 days prior to treatment.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER TREATMENT?

A cool compress or gel pack may be applied for comfort following your treatment. Any redness or swelling should resolve within a few hours. The treated vessels do change color after treatment and this persists as the body breaks down the clotted blood and reabsorbs it. It may look like a bruise. This process takes at least eight weeks for most people and could require as many as 2-4 treatments.

WHAT PRECAUTIONS SHOULD I TAKE AFTER TREATMENT?

After laser treatment, prevent sun exposure by applying sunblock (SPF 30 or above). In the first fortyeight hours after treatment of leg spider veins, exercise, hot-tubs, or any activity that could overheat and vasodilate the leg vessels should be avoided. Your
practitioner may advise additional precautions.

ARE THERE SIDE EFFECTS?

Your risks are minimal. Side effects may include redness, swelling, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, blistering, and purpura (a laser bruise), in the treated area—these usually do not last more than a few days. Permanent side effects are rare. Be sure to discuss potential side effects with your provider.

ARE THESE TREATMENTS COVERED BY INSURANCE?

Most insurance companies do not offer reimbursement for cosmetic procedures. Consult your insurance carrier for conclusive information.