169 Riverside Drive, Binghamton, NY 13905
Phone: 607-798-5991
Spider veins are wavy, thin, reddish-purple veins that are
visible on the legs. Often they are clustered on the thigh or below
the knee.
Spider veins, or telangiectasias, affect as many as 80% of all
women as they grow older, and a large percentage of men too. The
cause is largely genetic, although other culprits include
pregnancy, childbirth, use of birth-control pills,
estrogen-replacement therapy, previous injury, and the use of
corticosteroids.
Telangiectasias are not usually a medical problem, but they may
make you reluctant to wear a bathing suit or a pair of shorts.
In the past, there was little you could do about spider veins.
But now laser technology has revolutionized treatment so that many
spider veins can be virtually erased.
Understanding Leg Telangiectasias
Leg telangiectasias are not varicose or deep veins but
superficial veins that have become permanently dilated. One
treatment is electrodessication, which involves zapping the vein
shut with electric current, but it can leave pitted white scarring.
Another common treatment is sclerotherapy, which involves injecting
a solution into the vein to make it collapse, but treatment is not
always successful.
VersaPulse®, the New Treatment Option
Now, the new VersaPulse® Aesthetic Laser, is a state-of-the-art
system that has been specially designed to treat spider veins and
other vascular lesions.
The VersaPulse Advantage
The VersaPulse Aesthetic Laser produces short, adjustable pulses
of light to treat a wide range of vessel diameters at various skin
depths. The adjustable pulses minimize the risk of the purplish
bruising (purpura) that is a side effect of other lasers.
The special VersaSpot Chilled Tip™ cools the skin during
treatment, enhancing patient comfort. The entire treatment involves
no incisions or injections.
What You Can Expect
Laser treatments for leg telangiectasias depend on the quantity,
size, and depth of the veins. Most patients need between one and
three 15 - 30-minute sessions. Sessions are usually spaced 8 - 12
weeks apart and are performed in the Lourdes Ophthalmology Surgery
/ Laser Treatment Center.
The laser treatment itself feels like numerous little pin
pricks. Many patients do not require anesthesia during the
procedure. Topical or local anesthesia is provided for those who
do.
The appearance of the treated area immediately after a laser
session will vary from patient to patient depending on the extent
of treatment. Immediate after-effects, if any, are minor. They may
include redness or tenderness, both of which disappear in a short
time. Your physician will be happy to tell you more about your
treatment and what you can expect.
For more information, call Lourdes
Ophthalmology Surgery / Laser Treatment Center at
607-798-5991.
