What type of laser is used on varicose/spider veins, and why does the type matter?

I've heard of 810nm and 910nm lasers being used, but what are the others? What does the actual wavelength have to do with the procedure and how does it affect the vein as it increases or decreases?

Answers from doctors (2)


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Nov 30, 2018

There are many types of lasers that can be used to close refluxing valves and over the years the lasers have evolved. The early lasers were in the 800 range and over time the wavelength has increased. I currently use 1470 because it is associated with less discomfort following a closure procedure. The laser works at certain areas depending on its wavelength. Many work by heating the vein itself to seal it and some work by heating the water in the tissue around the vein to seal it. There is much more that can be said about lasers for veins but this should give you an introduction.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

There are many types of lasers that can be used to close refluxing valves and over the years the lasers have evolved. The early lasers were in the 800 range and over time the wavelength has increased. I currently use 1470 because it is associated with less discomfort following a closure procedure. The laser works at certain areas depending on its wavelength. Many work by heating the vein itself to seal it and some work by heating the water in the tissue around the vein to seal it. There is much more that can be said about lasers for veins but this should give you an introduction.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS, RVT, RPVI , RPhS

Published on May 18, 2016

Too technical to describe, but there are many more types of lasers used for EVLT/EVLA, including 1470 nm, which targets water molecules in the vein wall. 810 nm and others target hemoglobin molecules. It is believed that the 1470 nm is associated with less pain, bruising and discomfort after ablation.

Different chromophores absorb light at different wavelengths, and this is why different wavelengths are used to target different issues, whether it is in the skin for pigmentation, for tattoo removal, for red spider veins, for blue reticular veins, or for venous ablation (to close the vein).

If you are interested in more technical detail, Google it online and you can read hundreds of pages about the benefits of the different wavelengths of lasers in many different clinical applications.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/7742_1500327131.jpg
Answered by Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS, RVT, RPVI , RPhS

Too technical to describe, but there are many more types of lasers used for EVLT/EVLA, including 1470 nm, which targets water molecules in the vein wall. 810 nm and others target hemoglobin molecules. It is believed that the 1470 nm is associated with less pain, bruising and discomfort after ablation.

Different chromophores absorb light at different wavelengths, and this is why different wavelengths are used to target different issues, whether it is in the skin for pigmentation, for tattoo removal, for red spider veins, for blue reticular veins, or for venous ablation (to close the vein).

If you are interested in more technical detail, Google it online and you can read hundreds of pages about the benefits of the different wavelengths of lasers in many different clinical applications.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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