How soon after sclerotherapy for spider veins can you safely treat those same areas with a laser?

I've had four sclerotherapy treatments for clusters of spider veins that have not improved. I was wondering if laser therapy would be more beneficial, but I did not want to go too soon after my last sclerotherapy session.

Answers from doctors (7)


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Jan 10, 2012

If your spider veins haven't improved after sclerotherapy, it is unlikely that you will see much in the way of results from laser alone.

If your Sclerotherapist treated the underlying "feeder" or reticular veins using trans-illumiation to see them, you should have seen more results. Left untreated your surface spider veins will most likely re-open or not resolve.

In our practice we may start with some topical laser and follow it, immediately, with sclerotherapy. In a series of treatments (3 - 5) we usually have very good results. We would also recommend you have an ultrasound examination to see if there isn't anything deeper causing this resistance to treatment. This is just a quick scan and is usually complimentary by most vein specialists.

Norman N. Bein MD FACS RVT

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

If your spider veins haven't improved after sclerotherapy, it is unlikely that you will see much in the way of results from laser alone.

If your Sclerotherapist treated the underlying "feeder" or reticular veins using trans-illumiation to see them, you should have seen more results. Left untreated your surface spider veins will most likely re-open or not resolve.

In our practice we may start with some topical laser and follow it, immediately, with sclerotherapy. In a series of treatments (3 - 5) we usually have very good results. We would also recommend you have an ultrasound examination to see if there isn't anything deeper causing this resistance to treatment. This is just a quick scan and is usually complimentary by most vein specialists.

Norman N. Bein MD FACS RVT

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Arizona Vein and Laser Institute

Published on Jan 10, 2012

If sclerotherapy is successful, you shouldn't need laser therapy.
Any procedure at the same time can increase pigmentation. You should
wait until pigmentation from sclerotherapy has disappeared.

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Answered by Arizona Vein and Laser Institute

If sclerotherapy is successful, you shouldn't need laser therapy.
Any procedure at the same time can increase pigmentation. You should
wait until pigmentation from sclerotherapy has disappeared.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

Published on Jan 10, 2012

Would give it at least a month.

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Answered by Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

Would give it at least a month.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Angelo N. Makris MD

Published on Jan 10, 2012

Some physician perform sclerotherapy and laser at the same time. You don't have to wait.

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Answered by Angelo N. Makris MD

Some physician perform sclerotherapy and laser at the same time. You don't have to wait.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Jan 10, 2012

I haven't had much success with laser for these veins, veinwave may be an option after a few weeks

Michael D. Ingegno

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

I haven't had much success with laser for these veins, veinwave may be an option after a few weeks

Michael D. Ingegno

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Nu Vela Vein Center

Published on Jan 10, 2012

You are describing a treatment failure. Reasons could be many, like
untreated underlying feeder veins, unrecognized perforator vein with reflux,
use of ineffective solution /concentration or technique. A reputable
phlebologist should be able to help.

Raffi Dishakjian, M.D.

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Answered by Nu Vela Vein Center

You are describing a treatment failure. Reasons could be many, like
untreated underlying feeder veins, unrecognized perforator vein with reflux,
use of ineffective solution /concentration or technique. A reputable
phlebologist should be able to help.

Raffi Dishakjian, M.D.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on May 30, 2011

As a rule, laser therapy on leg spider veins works very poorly, is painful and requires multiple treatments. Before you start this alternative, I would recommend several things- have a venous reflux exam to look for a source of reflux causing the veins, use a stronger sclerotherapy solution and make sure that your prior treatments were adequate. You should wait 4 to 6 weeks between treatments.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

As a rule, laser therapy on leg spider veins works very poorly, is painful and requires multiple treatments. Before you start this alternative, I would recommend several things- have a venous reflux exam to look for a source of reflux causing the veins, use a stronger sclerotherapy solution and make sure that your prior treatments were adequate. You should wait 4 to 6 weeks between treatments.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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