Would laser light therapy help reduce superficial veins?

I had endovenous therapy on R and L leg a year ago,but I still notice visible veins on both legs. I think these may be superficial veins, which need another treatment. Would you recommend laser light therapy as an alternative treatment for these?

Answers from doctors (13)


Vein Treatment Clinic

Published on Nov 05, 2018

It is recommended to follow up with the vein specialist to reassess and perform a follow-up venous ultrasound of your venous circulation. Vein specialists always re-evaluate patients for chronic venous insufficiency before any treatment to make sure to not only treat the superficial concern, but also the underlying cause of the superficial changes that are commonly seen. Methods like ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy and ambulatory phlebectomy are used to treat remaining superficial veins after endovenous ablation therapy, depending on what is appropriate, because not all the cases are the same and not everyone responds to treatment in the same way.

Thank you for your question.

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Answered by Vein Treatment Clinic

It is recommended to follow up with the vein specialist to reassess and perform a follow-up venous ultrasound of your venous circulation. Vein specialists always re-evaluate patients for chronic venous insufficiency before any treatment to make sure to not only treat the superficial concern, but also the underlying cause of the superficial changes that are commonly seen. Methods like ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy and ambulatory phlebectomy are used to treat remaining superficial veins after endovenous ablation therapy, depending on what is appropriate, because not all the cases are the same and not everyone responds to treatment in the same way.

Thank you for your question.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Nov 05, 2018

I would recommend sclerotherapy as the treatment of choice unless the veins are extremely small.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

I would recommend sclerotherapy as the treatment of choice unless the veins are extremely small.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Treatment and Aesthetic Center

Published on Dec 20, 2012

Superficial veins include varicose veins, reticular veins, and spider veins. Endovenous therapy is used on varicose veins, while light therapy is used on reticular veins and spider veins. Your vein specialist will guide you.

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Answered by Vein Treatment and Aesthetic Center

Superficial veins include varicose veins, reticular veins, and spider veins. Endovenous therapy is used on varicose veins, while light therapy is used on reticular veins and spider veins. Your vein specialist will guide you.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Michael F. Gioscia, MD, FACS, ABVLM

Published on Oct 21, 2012

You may need additional (adjunctive) treatment after endoluminal treatment (EVLT or Radiofrequency Ablation). Depending on the size and character of the remaining vein(s), sclerotherapy and/or laser may be indicated. You should seek the advice of an expert in veins who treats the "entire spectrum" of vein disorders rather than getting referred to several different doctors to complete your treatment.

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Answered by Michael F. Gioscia, MD, FACS, ABVLM

You may need additional (adjunctive) treatment after endoluminal treatment (EVLT or Radiofrequency Ablation). Depending on the size and character of the remaining vein(s), sclerotherapy and/or laser may be indicated. You should seek the advice of an expert in veins who treats the "entire spectrum" of vein disorders rather than getting referred to several different doctors to complete your treatment.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


VeinSolutions - Edina

Published on Oct 17, 2012

We have seen consistently better results addressing spider and reticular veins with sclerotherapy than with laser. While laser therapy is quite effective for some veins, in most cases, the first course of action in attempting to eradicate unsightly superficial leg veins would be sclerotherapy.

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Answered by VeinSolutions - Edina

We have seen consistently better results addressing spider and reticular veins with sclerotherapy than with laser. While laser therapy is quite effective for some veins, in most cases, the first course of action in attempting to eradicate unsightly superficial leg veins would be sclerotherapy.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Oct 16, 2012

Sclerotherapy is still the gold standard for treatment of spider veins and reticular veins and I would suggest this first.

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Answered by Advanced Vein Center

Sclerotherapy is still the gold standard for treatment of spider veins and reticular veins and I would suggest this first.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Arizona Vein Specialists

Published on Oct 10, 2012

Our experience with superficial laser 10 years ago showed that "dual injury"
treatment consisting of laser and sclerotherapy needs to be done simultaneously to address larger
feeder vein components. Since laser on the skin surface can cause pigmentation changes and is
painful, we concluded why do both? Sclerotherapy works just fine by itself, with less fanfare.

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Answered by Arizona Vein Specialists

Our experience with superficial laser 10 years ago showed that "dual injury"
treatment consisting of laser and sclerotherapy needs to be done simultaneously to address larger
feeder vein components. Since laser on the skin surface can cause pigmentation changes and is
painful, we concluded why do both? Sclerotherapy works just fine by itself, with less fanfare.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Smith Vein Institute, LLC

Published on Oct 10, 2012

Without seeing the veins in question, it is very difficult to give an answer. Although I do think there is a place for lasers or intense pulsed light in the treatment if spider veins, I prefer sclerotherapy. Additionally, since you mentioned the phrase "visible veins" rather than spider veins, then I suspect you are talking about reticular veins which are best treated with foam sclerotherapy.

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Answered by Smith Vein Institute, LLC

Without seeing the veins in question, it is very difficult to give an answer. Although I do think there is a place for lasers or intense pulsed light in the treatment if spider veins, I prefer sclerotherapy. Additionally, since you mentioned the phrase "visible veins" rather than spider veins, then I suspect you are talking about reticular veins which are best treated with foam sclerotherapy.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Oct 10, 2012

We typically find that sclerotherapy preceded by topical laser (not light) work the best. You need to have someone check for reticular (feeder) veins in that area for long term successful closure. Transillumination with a vein lite will show up these smaller veins. If they are not close, they could reopen the smaller spider veins.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

We typically find that sclerotherapy preceded by topical laser (not light) work the best. You need to have someone check for reticular (feeder) veins in that area for long term successful closure. Transillumination with a vein lite will show up these smaller veins. If they are not close, they could reopen the smaller spider veins.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Oct 10, 2012

Your experience is quite common. Studies have shown the best treatment for these superficial veins is sclerotherapy. The lager ones are best treated with foam sclerotherapy and the smaller veins and spider veins are best treated with liquid sclerotherapy.

Wishing you the best of health,

Dr. Wright

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

Your experience is quite common. Studies have shown the best treatment for these superficial veins is sclerotherapy. The lager ones are best treated with foam sclerotherapy and the smaller veins and spider veins are best treated with liquid sclerotherapy.

Wishing you the best of health,

Dr. Wright

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Published on Oct 10, 2012

You may need sclerotherapy and laser treatments.

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Answered by Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

You may need sclerotherapy and laser treatments.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialists

Published on Oct 10, 2012

If you have had the underlying veins treated with ablations, then I would
consider injections sclerotherapy of the residual blue/green reticular veins
or spider veins.

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Answered by Vein Specialists

If you have had the underlying veins treated with ablations, then I would
consider injections sclerotherapy of the residual blue/green reticular veins
or spider veins.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Heart and Vein Center

Published on Oct 10, 2012

The best treatment for the superficial veins, "spiders" or telangiectasis is sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy provides more consistent results and it is not more painful than laser as the advertisement claims.

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Answered by Heart and Vein Center

The best treatment for the superficial veins, "spiders" or telangiectasis is sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy provides more consistent results and it is not more painful than laser as the advertisement claims.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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