Will dark Lines after vein ablation fade?

I had vein ablation done 3 months ago. I have scar tissue that I can feel under my skin, but it is the dark lines going from both incisions that are not fading. Will this ever fade? It looks worse than the veins did.

Answers from doctors (10)


More About Doctor David Green, MD

Published on Aug 24, 2021

Dark lines after varicose vein treatment - including by radiofrequency and laser endovenous ablation and sclerotherapy - are common and require months to slowly fade. In addition, there may be what feels like a firm cord under the skin along the course of the vein that is the denatured vein. It also requires months for this firm cord to be absorbed and become less palpable.

Answered by David Green, MD (View Profile)

Dark lines after varicose vein treatment - including by radiofrequency and laser endovenous ablation and sclerotherapy - are common and require months to slowly fade. In addition, there may be what feels like a firm cord under the skin along the course of the vein that is the denatured vein. It also requires months for this firm cord to be absorbed and become less palpable.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Treatment and Aesthetic Center

Published on Dec 20, 2012

The dark lines will definitely fade; however, the length of time depends upon your body's healing ability.

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Answered by Vein Treatment and Aesthetic Center

The dark lines will definitely fade; however, the length of time depends upon your body's healing ability.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


The Vein & Aesthetic Center of Boston

Published on Dec 06, 2012

It is not unusual to be able to feel the treated vein as a chord just under the skin following an ablative procedure. This chord slowly dissolves and typically completely disappears within six to twelve months following treatment.. In addition, brown staining in the skin overlying the treated vein occurs in approximately 20% of patients following ablative procedures. This is hemosiderin or iron pigment from within the red blood cells. It will slowly fade over the ensuing months and, in most cases, completely resolves by the end of a year's time. It is recommended that you protect your leg from direct sunlight during the healing process as this may exaggerate the hyperpigmentation.

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Answered by The Vein & Aesthetic Center of Boston

It is not unusual to be able to feel the treated vein as a chord just under the skin following an ablative procedure. This chord slowly dissolves and typically completely disappears within six to twelve months following treatment.. In addition, brown staining in the skin overlying the treated vein occurs in approximately 20% of patients following ablative procedures. This is hemosiderin or iron pigment from within the red blood cells. It will slowly fade over the ensuing months and, in most cases, completely resolves by the end of a year's time. It is recommended that you protect your leg from direct sunlight during the healing process as this may exaggerate the hyperpigmentation.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Intermountain Vein Center

Published on Nov 08, 2012

The vein that was ablated was probably very superficial, which is not the typical case, but it will fade. Sometimes it may take 6 months to one year for all that scar tissue to fade, but the body will reabsorb that tissue.

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Answered by Intermountain Vein Center

The vein that was ablated was probably very superficial, which is not the typical case, but it will fade. Sometimes it may take 6 months to one year for all that scar tissue to fade, but the body will reabsorb that tissue.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center of Orange County

Published on Nov 08, 2012

Post-treatment hyper-pigmentation from successfully treated veins slowly disappears over several months for most people, but can take a year or more to fade in 3 percent of patients. Persistent unchanged pigmentation should be checked after several months to make sure the vein did not re-open.

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Answered by Vein Center of Orange County

Post-treatment hyper-pigmentation from successfully treated veins slowly disappears over several months for most people, but can take a year or more to fade in 3 percent of patients. Persistent unchanged pigmentation should be checked after several months to make sure the vein did not re-open.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Arizona Vein Specialists

Published on Nov 07, 2012

The lines are hyperpigmentation from iron in hemoglobin in your red blood cells. There probably is a saphenous vein branch close to the skin which contains trapped blood. It is sometimes helpful to
puncture it to express some trapped blood to lessen the amount your body has to absorb. See your vein doctor to address this.

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Answered by Arizona Vein Specialists

The lines are hyperpigmentation from iron in hemoglobin in your red blood cells. There probably is a saphenous vein branch close to the skin which contains trapped blood. It is sometimes helpful to
puncture it to express some trapped blood to lessen the amount your body has to absorb. See your vein doctor to address this.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Nov 06, 2012

Dark lines could be vein segments that had trapped blood. It might still be worth a try to have them incised with a needle to see if there is old blood that can be removed. Aside from that, it's a time issue. Depending on your skin type, some lasers may help with lightening.

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Answered by Advanced Vein Center

Dark lines could be vein segments that had trapped blood. It might still be worth a try to have them incised with a needle to see if there is old blood that can be removed. Aside from that, it's a time issue. Depending on your skin type, some lasers may help with lightening.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Nov 05, 2012

Generally, yes, over time.

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

Generally, yes, over time.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Clinic of North Carolina

Published on Nov 05, 2012

From what you are describing, it sounds like hyper-pigmentation and yes, it usually fades. However, there is a cream that can help fade the dark area if it is indeed, hyper-pigmentation.

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Answered by Vein Clinic of North Carolina

From what you are describing, it sounds like hyper-pigmentation and yes, it usually fades. However, there is a cream that can help fade the dark area if it is indeed, hyper-pigmentation.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Nov 05, 2012

The dark lines that you describe are most likely the thrombosed veins below the skin from the ablation. This may take a very long time to resolve and sometimes does not resolve. I have found that evacuating these areas with a 20 gauge needle significantly improves them. Also, wet heat helps. You should follow up with your treating physician.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

The dark lines that you describe are most likely the thrombosed veins below the skin from the ablation. This may take a very long time to resolve and sometimes does not resolve. I have found that evacuating these areas with a 20 gauge needle significantly improves them. Also, wet heat helps. You should follow up with your treating physician.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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