Does Laser Light Therapy treat all varicose veins?

I have spider veins and more visible thicker veins that are not bumpy but painful nonetheless...my doctor suggested laser therapy and said it would treat both.From what I have read, laser treats spider veins only...is this true?

Answers from doctors (7)


The Vein & Aesthetic Center of Boston

Published on Dec 17, 2017

The general feeling is that sclerotherapy is better than laser when treating spider and reticular (feeder) veins. Sclerotherapy is less painful, more cost effective, and leads to a better cosmetic result. Health insurance does not cover the treatment of spider veins (even if there are symptoms) and therefore it is an out of pocket expense.

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Answered by The Vein & Aesthetic Center of Boston

The general feeling is that sclerotherapy is better than laser when treating spider and reticular (feeder) veins. Sclerotherapy is less painful, more cost effective, and leads to a better cosmetic result. Health insurance does not cover the treatment of spider veins (even if there are symptoms) and therefore it is an out of pocket expense.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Dec 15, 2017

I'd recommend you get an opinion from a board certified vascular trained surgeon who specializes in treating varicose and spider veins. Firstly it should include an ultrasound examination to rule our possible underling vein reflux as you have symptoms. If this is present it is advisable to treat this prior to treating surface cosmetic spider veins. This is minimally invasive and an office based procedure usually covered by insurance. The cosmetic spider and larger reticular veins you describe are best treated with injections (sclerotherapy). This is still the gold standard for treating these veins. However, very fine red/blue veins can be treated with topical laser (usually 1064 yag). Treating the larger "feeder" reticular veins with laser is very painful and limited.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

I'd recommend you get an opinion from a board certified vascular trained surgeon who specializes in treating varicose and spider veins. Firstly it should include an ultrasound examination to rule our possible underling vein reflux as you have symptoms. If this is present it is advisable to treat this prior to treating surface cosmetic spider veins. This is minimally invasive and an office based procedure usually covered by insurance. The cosmetic spider and larger reticular veins you describe are best treated with injections (sclerotherapy). This is still the gold standard for treating these veins. However, very fine red/blue veins can be treated with topical laser (usually 1064 yag). Treating the larger "feeder" reticular veins with laser is very painful and limited.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Jun 09, 2010

Cutaneous laser can treat spider veins. It depends on the size. The laser is best for the tiny red veins. The larger blue veins are better treated with sclerotherapy.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

Cutaneous laser can treat spider veins. It depends on the size. The laser is best for the tiny red veins. The larger blue veins are better treated with sclerotherapy.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialty Medical Clinic, Inc.

Published on May 17, 2010

There are two types laser therapy when it comes to leg veins problems. External laser, which is delivered in the same manner that laser hair removal is done. External lasers, for leg veins have not have great success rate. Golden standard treatment for superficial unsightly reticular and spider veins is sclerotherapy, provided it is done by an expert. The second type of laser usage is endovenous laser treatment /ablation of large varicose vein, which is done by inserting and placing a laser delivering fiber-optic inside the varicose veins and then destroying the varicose vein by delivering the high temperature to the inner lying of the targeted varicose vein. This effective treatment has been named EVLT or ELVeS and generally can be called EVL. Endouveous laser ablation has been FDA approved only for treatment of one type of varicose vein which is the Greater/Long
Saphenous Vein Varicosity. This treatment is safer when it is used for the thigh segment of greater saphenous varicosity. Lower and side branches can be treated by hook-phlebectomy, or even better done recently using foam-sclerotherapy. Some doctors use EVLT for treatment of short saphenous varicosity (the superficial vein behind
the calf, while this treatment is not FDA-approved for short saphenous treatment. Foam sclerotherapy is a great choice for treatment of short saphenous varicosity, when done done by an expert.

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Answered by Vein Specialty Medical Clinic, Inc.

There are two types laser therapy when it comes to leg veins problems. External laser, which is delivered in the same manner that laser hair removal is done. External lasers, for leg veins have not have great success rate. Golden standard treatment for superficial unsightly reticular and spider veins is sclerotherapy, provided it is done by an expert. The second type of laser usage is endovenous laser treatment /ablation of large varicose vein, which is done by inserting and placing a laser delivering fiber-optic inside the varicose veins and then destroying the varicose vein by delivering the high temperature to the inner lying of the targeted varicose vein. This effective treatment has been named EVLT or ELVeS and generally can be called EVL. Endouveous laser ablation has been FDA approved only for treatment of one type of varicose vein which is the Greater/Long
Saphenous Vein Varicosity. This treatment is safer when it is used for the thigh segment of greater saphenous varicosity. Lower and side branches can be treated by hook-phlebectomy, or even better done recently using foam-sclerotherapy. Some doctors use EVLT for treatment of short saphenous varicosity (the superficial vein behind
the calf, while this treatment is not FDA-approved for short saphenous treatment. Foam sclerotherapy is a great choice for treatment of short saphenous varicosity, when done done by an expert.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Heart and Vein Center

Published on May 17, 2010

For the treatment of spider veins "Vein wave" laser can be used, however to treat only the "very small spiders". For the "large spider", that we often refer as telangiectasias and/or reticular veins, sclerotherapy injections with Sotradecol it is still the best treatment.

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Answered by Heart and Vein Center

For the treatment of spider veins "Vein wave" laser can be used, however to treat only the "very small spiders". For the "large spider", that we often refer as telangiectasias and/or reticular veins, sclerotherapy injections with Sotradecol it is still the best treatment.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Angelo N. Makris MD

Published on May 17, 2010

Laser light therapy is predominantly for spider veins.

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Answered by Angelo N. Makris MD

Laser light therapy is predominantly for spider veins.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


VeinCare Centers of Tennessee

Published on May 17, 2010

Most varicose veins over 2 to 3 mm in diameter are better treated with Scelerotherapy.

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Answered by VeinCare Centers of Tennessee

Most varicose veins over 2 to 3 mm in diameter are better treated with Scelerotherapy.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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