Where Can I Treat Varicose Veins with Lasers in New Jersey?
Lasers are used in multiple ways to treat blood vessels, and only certain modalities work for varicose veins. Cosmetic and dermatological vein centers use surface laser treatments to eliminate small spider veins in the face. Board certified vein doctors are trained in surface lasers, but they also use endovenous lasers to treat larger spider veins and varicose veins in the legs.
Endovenous laser procedures are administered directly to the vein’s walls, so they’re recommended for larger veins like varicosities. If you have varicose veins or spider veins in your legs, book an appointment with our Harvard-trained vein doctors in New Jersey. With locations in Clifton, Paramus, Woodbridge, and Woodland Heights, laser experts are right around the corner!
How Does Laser Energy Treat Varicose Veins?
Laser energy heats veins to destroy them. Surface laser treatments send a laser beam through the skin that transmits photons that are absorbed by blood cells in the vein. As the blood heats up, the vein is destroyed and disappears over time. Surface lasers can’t treat larger, deeper veins, since the laser would need to be much stronger to destroy those veins, and that would burn the skin.
Endovenous laser treatments insert a tiny needle into the vein with a laser fiber at the tip. Doctors position this laser fiber directly on the vein’s walls, and then activate it with laser energy. The heat causes the vein to shrink and creates scar tissue in the vein, so blood can no longer enter it. Blood is rerouted into veins nearby that carry it back to the heart, rather than pooling in the defective vein. Vein specialists protect the area surrounding the vein with an injection of tumescent anesthesia before activating the thermal energy. This makes endovenous laser procedures safer and more effective for blood vessels like varicose veins.
Does Varicose Vein Laser Treatment Remove a Saphenous Vein?
Laser therapy doesn’t technically remove a varicose vein. Instead, it destroys the vein in the body. By closing off a varicose vein, it disappears from sight and is harmlessly reabsorbed. Most varicosities occur in saphenous veins, including the great saphenous vein, which runs from the ankle to the groin.
It is possible to remove the entire great saphenous vein, since we have 60,000 miles of blood vessels, and other veins can carry blood back to your heart. But most patients don’t need to have the entire great saphenous vein surgically removed. It is safer, easier, and gentler to treat veins with minimally invasive procedures like endovenous laser therapy.
Do Laser Methods Numb the Area or Use General Anesthesia?
One of the perks of laser therapy is that it doesn’t require general anesthesia. For surface laser treatments, vein doctors numb the area above the vein and position the laser device on your skin. For endovenous laser procedures, doctors numb the area where the laser fiber will be inserted, and they also inject tumescent anesthesia to surround the vein and protect adjacent tissue from heat. Since there are no large incisions or general anesthesia, patients can move about immediately after treatment, and even go back to work.
Are Laser Fiber Methods Better Than Pulsed-Dye Lasers?
Laser fiber methods are better than pulsed-dye surface lasers for varicose veins. While surface lasers work on certain small spider veins, they are not powerful enough to treat larger, more tortuous veins. In addition, varicose veins often stem from valve failure in deeper veins that surface lasers can’t repair. If you have varicose veins, choose an accredited vein center with minimally invasive vein doctors trained in endovenous procedures.
Is Laser Therapy Better Than Vein Stripping Surgery?
Laser therapy is superior to vein stripping surgery for most patients. It eliminates hassles like recovery time, wound care, and lost income. It does not require large incisions, general anesthesia, or hospitalization, so it’s faster and more affordable than vein stripping. It is routinely covered by insurance, and it takes less than 30 minutes. Unless you have complications that warrant surgery, pursue endovenous laser treatment or other minimally invasive methods.
Do I Need to Wear Compression Stockings After Laser Removal?
Some patients need to wear compression stockings after laser treatment, including those who are prone to blood clots. But not all patients need to wear them, and those who do only need to wear them for a little while. If you don’t treat varicose veins, you might need to wear compression stockings for the rest of your life, so short-term compression after vein treatment is preferable.
Are There Long Periods of Recovery After Laser Treatment?
There are no periods of recovery after any minimally invasive vein treatment. Since lasers and other minimally invasive devices don’t lacerate the skin or employ general anesthesia, patients can resume their usual activities immediately after treatment. Most of our patients drive themselves home or straight back to work. You can even resume moderate exercise the very same day. If you want relief from varicose veins, there is no quicker way than a minimally invasive vein treatment like endovenous lasers.
Where Can Laser Treatment Remove Varicose Veins Near Me?
Our New Jersey vein centers were deemed Centers of Excellence for cutting-edge vein care. Our compassionate, board certified vein doctors offer a wealth of treatment options, including laser therapy. We’ll conduct a thorough exam and recommend the treatment that’s right for you. We even file insurance paperwork on your behalf, so treatment is easy and affordable with our team. Visit us in Woodbridge, Woodland Park, Paramus, or Clifton today!