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Assessment
A physician examines the pattern and asks about symptoms. This determines whether laser is appropriate or whether a vascular referral comes first.
Laser treatment for visible facial and leg veins. The assessment establishes which veins respond to laser and which need a vascular referral.
Some leg veins are a cosmetic matter and some are a circulatory one. Telling them apart is the first thing that should happen.
Vascular lasers close small visible veins by heating the vessel until it collapses and is absorbed by the body. On the face this works extremely well for the broken capillaries around the nose and cheeks. On the legs it suits fine surface vessels.
Larger leg veins, and any vein associated with aching, swelling or skin change, may indicate underlying venous insufficiency. That is a vascular problem rather than a cosmetic one, and treating the surface without addressing it produces disappointing and short lived results. We assess for that and refer where it is warranted.
What it treats
And a few things they do not. If your concern is not here, the consultation is where we work out what would actually help.
Laser and EnergyBroken vessels around the nose and cheeks, which respond very well and often in a single session.
Fine surface vessels, treatable when the underlying circulation is normal.
Small raised red spots that clear readily.
A common and easily treated pattern.
Residual vessels, assessed individually.
How it works
Four steps, in this order. Nothing is treated until it has been assessed, and nothing is repeated until it has been reviewed.
A physician examines the pattern and asks about symptoms. This determines whether laser is appropriate or whether a vascular referral comes first.
Results
Redness along the treated vessels, sometimes with bruising, particularly on the legs. Compression may be advised for leg treatment.
Bruising fades. Treated vessels may look darker before they disappear, which is normal.
The body absorbs the closed vessels gradually. This is the slowest visible result of any laser we offer.
New vessels can form over time, particularly on the face with rosacea. Occasional maintenance is common.
Before and after
Photographs of our own patients in Mississauga, unretouched and shown in the same light. Results differ between patients and none of these is a promise of your own outcome.
View the gallery
Vascular lesion on the lip
Vascular lesion at the lip border
When we say no
We do not treat in these situations, and we will say so in the consultation, which you are not charged for.
Questions
Treated vessels do not return, but new ones can form, particularly where there is an underlying circulatory cause. That is why the initial assessment matters.
Facial vessels often clear in one or two. Leg vessels typically need two to four and are slower to respond.
A brief snap per pulse with cooling. Legs are more uncomfortable than the face but still well tolerated.
Frequently on the legs, less often on the face. It resolves within a week or so.
If you have aching, swelling, skin changes or prominent bulging veins, yes, and we will tell you that rather than treat the surface.
Two to eight weeks. Vessels clear as the body absorbs them, which is a gradual process.
Related treatments
Laser Hair RemovalMedical grade laser, with settings chosen for your skin type rather than a single setting used on everybody.
CO2 Laser ResurfacingThe most powerful resurfacing we offer, and the one with real downtime.
Laser GenesisA gentle, cumulative laser for redness, texture and pore appearance.
Pulse Dye LaserA targeted vascular laser for visible vessels, rosacea and birthmarks.
Alexandrite LaserA 755 nm wavelength, well suited to hair reduction on lighter skin and to certain pigmented lesions.
UltherapyFocused ultrasound that lifts from beneath the skin rather than resurfacing it.Mississauga, Ontario
A physician led plan for your skin. Know what you are treating before you treat it, with straight answers about what will work, what will not, and what can wait.
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