Varicose vein laser treatments

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Varicose veins, twisted gnarled veins that often show up with age, are not just a cosmetic concern.  Varicose veins can cause a considerable amount of pain and discomfort.  In more serious cases, varicose veins can discolor the surrounding skin and make it difficult for a person to go about their daily activities.  In the past, a person seeking relief from varicose veins had to go through an invasive surgical procedure which left scars and involved a painful and long recovery time.  Today, a minimally-invasive laser treatment is available for those who suffer from varicose veins. 

According to experts, up to 60 percent of all adults in the United States will develop varicose veins.  This means that more than half the population is plagued by these unsightly and uncomfortable veins.  Both men and women can develop varicose veins, though they are more common in women.  People who are overweight and those who stand on their feet for long periods of time are more likely to get varicose veins.  These veins typically develop in the legs and the feet. 

The traditional surgical procedure to rid a patient of unwanted or painful varicose veins often caused a patient a great deal of pain and involved a long recovery period.  In some cases, the surgery was not even successful.  One 59-year-old man with varicose veins the thickness of his thumb underwent this invasive surgical procedure to no avail.  “I was laid up for a month with a lot of pain,” he says, “and they came back twice as big.”

Luckily, this patient found a qualified doctor who recommended laser surgery to treat his varicose veins.  More and more, plastic surgeons have been using laser procedures to close off varicose and spider veins, particularly on the face and upper body.  Initially, laser treatments were not considered an effective procedure for varicose veins on the legs.  Thanks to new technology in laser treatments, these procedures can effectively treat varicose veins in the legs.  Laser surgery is a non-invasive procedure that sends strong bursts of light into the vein.  This causes the vein to slowly fade away.  No needles or incisions are required during a varicose vein laser procedure. 

Whether for cosmetic or medical reasons, varicose veins can be safely and effectively treated with laser surgery.  Patients who are interested in this procedure may wish to contact a qualified cosmetic surgeon who has experience with varicose vein treatment, who can discuss this procedure in greater detail.  


 


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