Intense Pulse Light Therapy: A New Way to Treat Spider Veins

Spider veins are troubling venous conditions for patients in Memphis, Tennessee and in other parts of the country. While not considered a medical concern, spider veins may nonetheless be very burdensome for some patients because of the embarrassing appearance of the disease. They do not cause pain like varicose veins and do not make the legs feel heavy, but spider veins may adversely affect a person's personal, social or professional lives due to the self-consciousness this condition often causes. In response, a variety of treatments have been developed to help patients overcome this condition. Intense pulse light therapy, or IPL for short, is one such procedure that is a non-invasive solution to spider veins.

The procedure works by utilizing a light that penetrates superficial blood vessels. The heat from the light causes the vein to collapse and seal shut so that blood can no longer flow through. Blood flow is taken over by other veins deeper within the body, thus eliminating the superficial appearance of spider veins. The treated superficial vein will gradually disappear over the next few weeks and any blood will be removed by the body's scavenging cells. One of the distinct advantages of intense pulse light therapy is that it does not damage surrounding tissue because it specifically targets the problem blood vessel.

Most patients do not require a topical anesthetic, although some choose to have one applied in anticipation of pain. There is usually some kind of cooling system in place to prevent the tip of the light from heating too much. IPL procedures typically take place in a doctor's office or outpatient facility and patients are usually able to leave shortly after the procedure. There may be a slight bump on the skin after treatment, although this usually goes away within a few hours. Patients may also notice some bruising and the skin may appear reddish in some cases. Patients are often able to return to normal daily activities following treatment with intense pulse light therapy.

To minimize pain and swelling, patients may apply ice packs to the treated area. Blisters are another side effect that may be present for some patients. Results following intense pulse light therapy will not be noticeable right away. Patients may notice that the veins turn from a blue or purplish color to a reddish color before fading away entirely two to six weeks after treatment. This may vary for some patients, however. It may take several sessions to reach optimal results and IPL is not intended to prevent future spider veins from forming. Patients are encouraged to discuss this in further detail with a vein specialist at a clinic in the Memphis area.

Before treatment, patients are encouraged to discuss their candidacy for intense pulse light therapy with a vein specialist. Patients with varicose veins are often encouraged to seek other treatment options designed specifically for the treatment of this condition. IPL is most often used to treat spider veins and may not be effective in relieving varicose veins. Interested patients should consult a specialist for more information regarding their candidacy for IPL. This is often the best resource for those who wish to discuss spider veins, varicose veins and vein treatments in greater detail.

Learn more about intense pulse light therapy in Memphis, Tennessee.