Each year millions of women and men seek treatment for unsightly spider veins and painful varicose veins. Spider veins, or telangiectasias, are those small, red, blue or purple blood vessels that appear most frequently on the face and thighs. Varicose veins are usually larger than 1/4 inch in diameter and may appear raised with a bluish color. They may also be related to more serious vein disorders and require a careful evaluation by your doctor prior to treatment.

Before	After
Before	After

Question:
PhotoDerm Leg Vein Therapy
Answer:
Today's new PhotoDerm pulsed light sources provide safe and effective, non-surgical treatment options for the removal of spider veins. Our new, advanced PhotoDerm light treatments allow us to deliver a precise dosage of energy to each vein, with minimal risk to the skin. During your treatment, light energy is delivered through a special handpiece with filters to the targeted vein, in a series of short and/or long pulses. The light energy is absorbed by the blood vessels. This heat absorption causes a thermocoagulation (clogging) of the blood vessel, and a gradual absorption by the body.

Question:
Will PhotoDerm therapy work on my veins?
Answer:
Prior to treatment we will review your medical history to determine how long you have had a problem with your veins and the severity of the problem. We need to determine your skin type and if there has been any prior surgery or treatment on your veins. We will test to determine if there is any underlying venous abnormality. If there appears to be an underlying abnormality, further testing may be advised prior to your light therapy.

Question:
What are the PhotoDerm treatments like?
Answer:
First we identify the veins to be treated. The larger veins are usually treated first. Using a delicate handpiece fitted with special filters, we apply intense pulsed light energy to the vein. PhotoDerm light therapy targets the blood pigments, causing the blood within the vein to coagulate and close down the vein. Most light therapy patients report little if any discomfort. Some experience a transient, mild burning sensation when we pulse the light source.

Question:
How many treatments will I need?
Answer:
Significant improvement is realized in most cases with one or two treatments. The potential for maximum long-term resolution increases after an additional one or two treatments. However, new veins may occur and additional treatments are generally required for optimum results. These treatments may be in three to four week intervals.

Question:
Are there other vein treatments available?
Answer:
Yes. PhotoDerm light therapy may be combined with Injection Sclerotherapy.

During sclerotherapy a sclerosing solution is injected into the vein through a micro-needle. The tiny needles generally cause very little pain. The sclerosing solution causes the vein to blanch (turn white), then gradually disappear. A typical treatment may last for 15 to 20 minutes and consist of multiple injections.