Is laser light therapy internal or external?

Does laser light therapy involve a laser being put in the vein or is the laser shone on the vein externally?

Answers from doctors (7)


Vein Specialists

Published on Oct 29, 2009

The laser fiber is actually inserted into the vein through a small sheath
(like an intravenous) and is gently advanced up the vein close to the groin
(if it is the great saphenous vein being closed) or the back of the knee (if
it is the small saphenous vein being closed). Fluid is then inserted around
the vein from the top to the bottom. The laser is turned on and heat is
delivered to the vein to seal it off as the laser is slowly removed from the
vein (1 mm/sec withdrawal rate) so nothing is actually left in the leg at
the end of the case. No incisions, little pain during or after the
procedure and almost immediate relief from the pre-procedure symptoms

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Answered by Vein Specialists

The laser fiber is actually inserted into the vein through a small sheath
(like an intravenous) and is gently advanced up the vein close to the groin
(if it is the great saphenous vein being closed) or the back of the knee (if
it is the small saphenous vein being closed). Fluid is then inserted around
the vein from the top to the bottom. The laser is turned on and heat is
delivered to the vein to seal it off as the laser is slowly removed from the
vein (1 mm/sec withdrawal rate) so nothing is actually left in the leg at
the end of the case. No incisions, little pain during or after the
procedure and almost immediate relief from the pre-procedure symptoms

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Oct 22, 2009

Lasers are used for both.

Endovenous laser ablation means that the laser is put into (endo-venous) the vein
External lasers or IPL can be used to treat the veins from outside the skin. The pigments in the skin absorb the light from the device and then convert it to heat. Think of a black car and a white car that is out in the sun. The black car absorbs the light and converts it to heat while the white car reflects the light.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

Lasers are used for both.

Endovenous laser ablation means that the laser is put into (endo-venous) the vein
External lasers or IPL can be used to treat the veins from outside the skin. The pigments in the skin absorb the light from the device and then convert it to heat. Think of a black car and a white car that is out in the sun. The black car absorbs the light and converts it to heat while the white car reflects the light.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Heart and Vein Center

Published on Oct 22, 2009

The laser energy is delivered inside the veinvia an optical fiber. The fiber is connected to a source of laser that is external.

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Answered by Heart and Vein Center

The laser energy is delivered inside the veinvia an optical fiber. The fiber is connected to a source of laser that is external.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Angelo N. Makris MD

Published on Oct 21, 2009

Laser light therapy is external, endovenous laser ablation is internal within the vein.

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Answered by Angelo N. Makris MD

Laser light therapy is external, endovenous laser ablation is internal within the vein.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


VeinSolutions - Edina

Published on Oct 21, 2009

Light therapy uses pulsed light on the surface of the skin, we typically use it for spider veins on the face. When you here of laser procedures, they are typically referring to the EVLT procedure. The laser is used in the saphenous veins to close them down. We do not use the EVLT procedure, we do a similar procedure called VNUS Closure (radiofrequency
ablation).

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Answered by VeinSolutions - Edina

Light therapy uses pulsed light on the surface of the skin, we typically use it for spider veins on the face. When you here of laser procedures, they are typically referring to the EVLT procedure. The laser is used in the saphenous veins to close them down. We do not use the EVLT procedure, we do a similar procedure called VNUS Closure (radiofrequency
ablation).

Published on Jul 11, 2012


It depends on the procedure. EVLT is laser treatment of a saphenous vein with reflux done internally. Lasers can be used externally to treat spider veins.

Answered by NJ Vein Care and Aesthetics Center (View Profile)

It depends on the procedure. EVLT is laser treatment of a saphenous vein with reflux done internally. Lasers can be used externally to treat spider veins.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

Published on Oct 21, 2009

EVLT for varicose veins involves putting the laser into the vein.
Transcutaneous laser therapy involves treating veins through the skin from the outside but it is only useful for very small veins and telangectasias (spider veins).

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Answered by Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

EVLT for varicose veins involves putting the laser into the vein.
Transcutaneous laser therapy involves treating veins through the skin from the outside but it is only useful for very small veins and telangectasias (spider veins).

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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