Vein Therapy


Vein therapy removes unsightly veins or reduces their look. Sclerotherapy treats red, blue or purple veins by a solution injection to collapse and close off the vein blood supply. Varicose veins are caused by broken one-way valves that prevent blood from returning to the heart. The blood flows downward and the pressure backs up into veins beneath the skin surface. Varicose vein removal, AKA phlebectomy, relieves symptoms via surgery, wearing compression socks or lifestyle changes. Laser vein treatment uses a light beam to treat veins by causing them to shrink and close. The energy from the laser is absorbed by hemoglobin and heats up and closes without harming surrounding tissue.

Ideal candidates for vein therapy include patients with spider veins that want more aesthetically pleasing legs as well as people with a lot of back pressure causing unappealing vein patterns in the legs. In addition, men or women with a family history of web-like veins showing through the skin and patients who are troubled by bulging veins on their lower legs, thighs or face. Plus, anyone with veins that are too small to thread with a needle are ideal for a laser treatment.

The cost for vein therapy depends on the treatment performed, number of treatments needed, fees charged by the doctor or facility and if insurance covers any of the cost. The average cost of sclerotherapy for treating spider veins is about $250-$400 per treatment and it normally takes several sessions to treat all the veins. The cost of varicose vein removal might be covered by insurance since the condition is often a symptom of vein disease. Overall, the price of varicose vein removal is $1500-$5000.The cost of laser vein treatment is $1500-$3000 per treatment and multiple treatments might be necessary.

After sclerotherapy, the treatment area will be bruised with some cramping in the legs during the first 2 days. The area should be completely healed in 2 months. It cannot stop new veins from forming so patients may need periodic treatments to maintain the results. Varicose vein recovery requires patients to wear support stockings for 4 or 5 days to reduce bruising and soreness. Treated veins seldom return. After laser vein treatment, redness and bruising are common for 7 to 10 days. While laser vein treatment can remove prominent veins, it cannot stop new veins from forming so patients may need periodic treatments to maintain the results.

Laser Vein Treatment

Laser Vein Treatment

submitted on   Mon Aug, 10, 2015 by Pamela Carr, MD     
Laser vein treatment is a cosmetic procedure which uses a beam of light to treat swollen or bulging veins such as varicose veins or spider veins by causing them to shrink and close. Laser vein treatment involves using an Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet, or YAG laser, to target the hemoglobin which gives...