I have undergone 5 Cool Glide laser light therapy treatments in my legs for spider veins but I've seen very little improvement. I notice at the back of my left knee the spider veins have gotten worse, and I can even see a large vein appearing. What should I do?
The role of laser/light therapy in managing spider veins is limited. In general, the veins are first treated through meticulous sclerotherapy. If smaller veins persist after injections, then laser and/or pulsed light may prove effective. Small veins are the most difficult to treat. It is extremely uncommon that laser is used as a first line treatment in a specialty vein practice. If you are not seeing results, it is not likely a Cool Glide problem, rather the treatment option being chosen for the task. I would recommend that you seek a second opinion if you are not seeing results. Seek a provider experienced in laser, pulsed light, and sclerotherapy to manage this condition.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Based on the information you have provided, you probably need sclerotherapy as well.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
I would ask you several questions. Have you had a thorough evaluation to see if there are any "feeding" reticular veins below the surface? If these are not treated, surface laser will not be effective. The evaluation could be with transillumination and/or ultrasound and is best done by an experienced surgeon. In some cases spider veins can get worse or spread because the feeder veins are pushing into other vessels or re-opening treated veins.
If you say you have large blue veins then you possibly need those injected (sclerotherapy) under transillumination (a light that shows us what is below the surface of the skin).
When you mention Cool Glide laser light therapy, I am not sure which modality you are using. Is your practitioner using Intense pulsed light? This won't be effective for spider veins. The settings for the 1064 YAG hand piece should be according to the color and size of the veins with the appropriate spot size. In our practice we use a combinations of topical laser first followed by the injection of the reticular feeding veins. We have found this to be the most effective. Sclerotherapy is still the gold standard for treating spider veins.All in all I would seek a second opinion from an experienced practice who specializes in vein treatment.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Transdermal LASER procedures often fail because there are veins under the surface of the skin which feed blood to the spider veins. Discuss foam sclerotherapy with your physician.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Have you had an ultrasound looking for venous insufficiency? In my experience, laser treatment for spider veins and other cosmetic veins has been very unrewarding both for me and for my patients. I use only injection sclerotherapy for treatment of spider, reticular and small varicose veins. Sounds to me like you have spent enough on the laser treatment option and should do some more research on other vein centers in your area.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
I have been disappointed with results of light (laser) treatment on leg veins. Sclerotherapy is still considered the gold standard.
Published on Jul 11, 2012