FACE & LEG VEINS
Find out more about face and leg veins and what 1192 can do for yours.
What are face and leg veins?
Face and leg veins are a common skin concern that affect up to 50% of those aged 18 and over. They are known as spider veins or telangiectasia.
What are spider veins?
Spider veins are damaged, small veins that can appear on the face or leg’s surface. They can materialise as branches, thin lines or webs, and be purple, blue or red. They can occur when valves inside the vein stop working properly. As veins carry blood to the heart, a one-way valve is needed to close to prevent blood flowing backwards. If this is weakened, blood can struggle to flow in the correct direction and pool inside the vein. Over time, this can create a bulge in the vein that branches out into spider veins. Tiny blood vessels bursting are often the cause of spider veins on the face.
Treatments available from 1192
The award-winning Cutera Excel HR is a laser system which uses two proven wavelengths – 532 nm and 1064 nm – to address more than 20 unique indications on all skin types. The combination of high-performance dual wavelengths and the proprietary long-pulsed Nd:YAG technology provides faster, more efficient clearing of targeted lesions. The 1064 nm Nd:YAG wavelength expands treatment capabilities to include deeper darker vascular lesions including leg and periorbital veins as well as venous lakes and venous malformations.
How laser vein removal works
Laser treatment from the Cutera Excel HR will concentrate warmth on the unwanted veins, which damages them and creates scar tissue. This scar tissue will help close the vein, redirecting the flow of the blood, and causing the vein to deteriorate. Over time, the body will naturally process these diminishing veins.
Laser Vein Removal FAQs
How does laser vein removal work?
The Cutera nD-YAG laser beam targets the blood vessels. The heat generated from the laser coagulates the blood inside the vessel, causing the capillary walls to collapse and seal. Over the next few weeks, the vessel will disappear, and all the blood will be removed by the body’s scavenging cells. The Cutera nD-YAG laser treatment allows delivery of the precise dosage of energy to each blood vessel without injuring any nearby structures.
How do I prepare for the treatments?
There are no major preparations required before the laser treatment, but you must avoid sun exposure and any blood thinning medications for at least a week prior to the treatment. Please avoid all creams and moisturisers on the area that is going to be treated and do not have self tan present. Avoid any waxing 24 hours prior to treatment on the area. On the day please wear loose fitting clothing.
Am I a candidate for laser vein removal?
Spider veins do not cause symptoms and are only of cosmetic concern. For those who have symptoms, a referral to a vascular surgeon may be necessary. Laser vein removal is most effective for the very small spider veins and is not used to treat varicose veins.
How many treatments would I need and how long does the treatment last?
Once the vein has been successfully treated and your body has reabsorbed them they will not return this may take between 3-4 treatments every 6-8 weeks. However, because of genetics and other factors you will likely form new veins in different area over the coming years that may require more treatment. These are new veins that weren’t initially there during your initial treatments.
Does it hurt?
We use the Cutera nD-YAG system which is considered the gold standard in laser technology and is FDA approved. The laser contains a triple sapphire cooling tip to cool before, during and after each pulse to ensure high comfort for all laser vein removal treatments. During the treatment you may feel a slight stinging sensation as the laser fires. This can be likened to a hot elastic band flick.
Will I require a skin test patch?
Yes, once your practitioner has deemed you the right candidate for laser vein removal you will be required by UK law to have a patch test. This is a few shots of the laser in the area to be treated. You will then need to wait 24-48 hours to have the full procedure.
