Is laser light therapy appropriate for large varicose veins?

My legs look as if snakes are underneath the skin. They appear from my groin to my calves. I have had these for many years and would like to have them taken care of before I reach age 65. I fear invasive therapy. Is laser light therapy appropriate?

Answers from doctors (12)


Aesthetic Vascular Associates

Published on Feb 05, 2015

No, laser light therapy is not appropriate for large varicose veins.

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Answered by Aesthetic Vascular Associates

No, laser light therapy is not appropriate for large varicose veins.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Laser light therapy works best for small spider veins. For the large, bulky veins it may be better to seek other treatments such as minimally invasive ablative therapy with laser, radiofrequency or Clarivein. Hope that helps.

Answered by Dr. Syed Bokhari M.D., F.A.C.C. (View Profile)

Laser light therapy works best for small spider veins. For the large, bulky veins it may be better to seek other treatments such as minimally invasive ablative therapy with laser, radiofrequency or Clarivein. Hope that helps.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Smith Vein Institute, LLC

Published on Jan 29, 2015

It depends on what you are referring to when you say "laser light therapy." An external laser will not be effective. You likely have a problem with the valves in your saphenous veins, which is best treated with laser light therapy administered by a laser inside the vein or with a radiofrequency fiber. It is minimally invasive. Think of it like an IV placed in your vein and a laser passed though the IV into your vein. It is done as an outpatient with local anesthesia in about 20 minutes.

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Answered by Smith Vein Institute, LLC

It depends on what you are referring to when you say "laser light therapy." An external laser will not be effective. You likely have a problem with the valves in your saphenous veins, which is best treated with laser light therapy administered by a laser inside the vein or with a radiofrequency fiber. It is minimally invasive. Think of it like an IV placed in your vein and a laser passed though the IV into your vein. It is done as an outpatient with local anesthesia in about 20 minutes.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Destin Vein Center

Published on Jan 29, 2015

In many cases, laser treatment is appropriate on large veins when the laser fiber is inserted into the vein and advanced up the leg to the groin crease area. No laser or light will treat large veins when simply applied to the surface of the skin over the large veins.

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Answered by Destin Vein Center

In many cases, laser treatment is appropriate on large veins when the laser fiber is inserted into the vein and advanced up the leg to the groin crease area. No laser or light will treat large veins when simply applied to the surface of the skin over the large veins.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Ozark Regional Vein Center

Published on Jan 29, 2015

No, it is not. You need to seek consultation with a vascular surgeon as these can be treated non-invasively. Laser light, or IPL, will be a waste of time and money.

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Answered by Ozark Regional Vein Center

No, it is not. You need to seek consultation with a vascular surgeon as these can be treated non-invasively. Laser light, or IPL, will be a waste of time and money.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Jan 28, 2015

Laser light is not appropriate for your veins. The gold standard is obtaining a venous duplex ultrasound to look for reflux and then treating the refluxing valves via a closure procedure.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Laser light is not appropriate for your veins. The gold standard is obtaining a venous duplex ultrasound to look for reflux and then treating the refluxing valves via a closure procedure.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


North Shore Vein Center

Published on Feb 17, 2011

The procedure you are looking for is called Endovenous Ablation, as you most likely have an incompetent saphenous vein. This is minimally invasive, causes only minor discomfort, and is something not to fear. Do not waste your time and money on laser light therapy. It will not accomplish anything. If you read about Endovenous Ablation and consult your local vascular surgeon and decide it is not right for you, just wear a compression stocking and call it a day.

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Answered by North Shore Vein Center

The procedure you are looking for is called Endovenous Ablation, as you most likely have an incompetent saphenous vein. This is minimally invasive, causes only minor discomfort, and is something not to fear. Do not waste your time and money on laser light therapy. It will not accomplish anything. If you read about Endovenous Ablation and consult your local vascular surgeon and decide it is not right for you, just wear a compression stocking and call it a day.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

Published on Jan 25, 2011

You need to have a venous ultrasound to fully evaluate the source of your veins but sounds like you would need a minimally invasive approach such as an EVLT or similar.
David A. Engleman M.D.

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Answered by Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

You need to have a venous ultrasound to fully evaluate the source of your veins but sounds like you would need a minimally invasive approach such as an EVLT or similar.
David A. Engleman M.D.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


VeinCare Centers of Tennessee

Published on Jan 24, 2011

External LASER therapy is not often used for veins more than about 2-3 mm in diameter. You need to see a phlebologist for evaluation of your veins in order to get answers about your options.

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Answered by VeinCare Centers of Tennessee

External LASER therapy is not often used for veins more than about 2-3 mm in diameter. You need to see a phlebologist for evaluation of your veins in order to get answers about your options.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Nu Vela Vein Center

Published on Jan 24, 2011

You can have these veins treated non-invasively, through a combination of
endovenous techniques(heating the vein shut from inside) supplemented with
foam sclerotherapy, if appropriate. The endovenous technique could be laser
based heat or electrical heat (called Radiofrequency) . In either case, You
do have to have a definitive diagnosis first, with a duplex ultrasound, to
find out where the the incompetent veins are (leakage points where the deep
vein blood is flowing in reverse direction into the superficial veins). Only
then can you come up with an effective treatment plan.

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Answered by Nu Vela Vein Center

You can have these veins treated non-invasively, through a combination of
endovenous techniques(heating the vein shut from inside) supplemented with
foam sclerotherapy, if appropriate. The endovenous technique could be laser
based heat or electrical heat (called Radiofrequency) . In either case, You
do have to have a definitive diagnosis first, with a duplex ultrasound, to
find out where the the incompetent veins are (leakage points where the deep
vein blood is flowing in reverse direction into the superficial veins). Only
then can you come up with an effective treatment plan.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Jan 24, 2011

Firstly you should be evaluated as to the cause of the "snake like" veins. If there is a valve problem in the saphenous vein, this should be closed first. This is usually done by laser or radiofrequency and is a minimally invasive procedure. Depending upon the size of the varicose veins, they can be removed through tiny holes, injected with a sclerosing solution or left alone to see if they resolve after the saphenous is closed. You can be evaluated in the office using Doppler ultrasound.
Laser light therapy is for very superficial fine red veins on the surface such as the cheeks on the face.
Norman. N. Bein MD FACS RVT

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Firstly you should be evaluated as to the cause of the "snake like" veins. If there is a valve problem in the saphenous vein, this should be closed first. This is usually done by laser or radiofrequency and is a minimally invasive procedure. Depending upon the size of the varicose veins, they can be removed through tiny holes, injected with a sclerosing solution or left alone to see if they resolve after the saphenous is closed. You can be evaluated in the office using Doppler ultrasound.
Laser light therapy is for very superficial fine red veins on the surface such as the cheeks on the face.
Norman. N. Bein MD FACS RVT

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Angelo N. Makris MD

Published on Jan 24, 2011

Endovenous laser ablation is what you likely need.

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Answered by Angelo N. Makris MD

Endovenous laser ablation is what you likely need.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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