Sometimes out of nowhere tiny, thin red and blue veins appear near the surface of the skin, often called spider veins. They’re broken capillaries that suddenly become visible and are cosmetically unappealing. Typically, they can be noticed around the thighs, calves, and ankles, and occasionally the thin squiggly lines appear on the face. This condition is normally not physically uncomfortable, but some people may experience aching, heaviness, itching and night cramps. For most people, it can become so aesthetically disturbing, that they will seek treatment to remove them.
At Advanced Skin Fitness, we are able to eliminate the spider-web shaped vessels quickly and painlessly, so that you look your best. We use a non-invasive treatment using the Candela GentleYAG to target the vein and remove it while protecting the skin. Contact us today, so those hideous branchlike lines that have been annoying you for months, maybe even years, can finally be gone and you can reveal more attractive skin.
There is a myriad of reasons why spider veins develop, but once they’ve surfaced they don’t normally fade away, so it’s best to have a treatment that is safe, painless and non-invasive to be rid of them once and for all. We understand that before having the treatment there are questions concerning how spider veins develop and how Candela GentleYAG helps to permanently remove spider veins. Below are a few common concerns.
What are spider veins and what causes them?
Spider veins are dilated blood vessels that appear as small red, blue or purple veins near the surface of the skin.
The proper term for spider veins is telangiectasias or angioectasias. They can develop on the legs and on the face, but can specifically appear on the nose, cheeks, chin, upper thighs, knee joints and ankles near the mucous membranes or the skin’s surface. They range from a half a millimeter to 2 millimeters in size and when they’re found on the thighs, there are normally varicose veins underneath. About a third of the adult female population is affected by this condition, but usually, don’t seek treatment unless it’s a cosmetic issue.
Spider veins form because of inadequate blood flow and the decline of the blood vessel wall. There is a litany of reasons why spider veins develop. It may be a genetic predisposition, standing for prolonged periods of time, overexposure to the sun, pregnancy, hormonal fluctuations, chemical exposure or autoimmune diseases. Weight loss can make the skin thinner so that any spider veins underneath will become more visible. Having the Candela GentleYAG treatment to diminish these vessels can make your skin spider vein free and more comfortable.
What is Candela GentleYAG and how does the laser work?
Candela GentleYAG is a safe, non-invasive laser treatment that uses a light beam to deliver heat and remove spider veins.
The procedure involves using a light beam to pulse onto the targeted veins and distribute heat. This forces the vessels to seal off, coagulate, transform into a gel, and dissolve until they’re eventually destroyed and absorbed into the body. During the treatment, a cooling device protects the skin from the heat.
How long is each Candela GentleYAG treatment?
The treatment takes only a few minutes but can extend longer based on the affected area.
The procedure time varies. It can take fifteen minutes up to an hour.
Is the Candela GentleYAG treatment painful?
The treatment is virtually painless, but patients will feel minimal sensations during the procedure.
Patients should feel minimal discomfort while having the treatment. Patients will feel a slight pinching, along with a cooling mist that is used to counteract the heat from the light beam.
Is there downtime and are there side effects after the Candela GentleYAG treatment?
There is no downtime after the treatment. Patients may feel some minimal irritation following the procedure. It should subside in a day or two.
Some patients notice a little swelling and pinkness in the treated area that only lasts up to a couple of days. It seldom occurs, but some patients experience some minimal crusting much like fine scratches and minor blistering, particularly for treatment on the legs. This can be easily remedied by cleansing with a mild soap twice a day, followed by a topical antibiotic such as Polysporin. Occasionally there may be some temporary hyperpigmentation.
How many Candela GentleYAG treatments are needed for complete vein removal?
It will depend on the vessel. If the veins have not dissolved after the first treatment, more treatments will need to follow.
It may require up to 3 treatments to break down the capillary so that the veins are completely blocked off, dissolved and absorbed by the skin. If so, there should be at least 6 weeks in between each treatment.
Should support hose be worn during the duration of the Candela GentleYAG treatments?
It’s not necessary to wear support hose since it’s a laser treatment.
Treating spider veins with a laser procedure does not require patients to wear support hose. But if the patient’s condition is so severe that they need to use another treatment, wearing support hose should be considered.
What is the difference between Candela GentleYAG and Sclerotherapy?
Candela GentleYAG uses a light beam to coagulate and dissolve the veins. Sclerotherapy involves the injection of a chemical into the veins to stimulate the coagulation.
One distinct difference between the two treatments is that Candela GentleYAG is a laser treatment that targets the veins by the transfer of heat through a light beam, so they can be removed. Sclerotherapy is a treatment that injects a solution into average to large veins so they can be removed.
