Common Regarding
Spider Vein Treatment

Q: What precautions should be taken before and after treatment?
A: It is recommended that you avoid exposure to the sun and tanning of the areas to be treated throughout the course of treatment. Immediately following the treatment, the area may be slightly swollen and sensitive and may feel warm. Recommended post-operative care includes: avoid sun exposure or tanning, apply ice for discomfort, and apply ointment or topical antibiotic cream, if needed.

In addition, care should be taken in the first few days to avoid scrubbing or rinsing the area with abrasive skin cleansers. A small bandage or patch may be helpful in preventing abrasion of the treated area. Pressure bandages and/or compression stockings may be required post-operatively, based on guidance from your clinician.

Q: What does laser treatment involve?
A: Patients will be provided with safety eyewear to protect their eyes from the intense laser light. The clinician then uses a small handpiece to deliver the laser energy to the skin. A light spray of coolant onto the skin will be felt just before each laser pulse. The degree of discomfort varies with each person, depending on his or her pain threshold. Topical anesthesia may also be requested based on individual preferences or tolerances.

Q: What other methods are used to treat leg veins?
A: The most common therapy used to treat leg veins is sclerotherapy, which The Centre, P.C. offers. Sclerotherapy involves needle injections of sclerosing agents (such as saline) into the vessels to be removed.

Q: Can spider veins in the face be treated?
A: Yes, facial spider veins also can be treated with the laser. Your clinician can provide more details. In addition, The Centre, P.C. carries a line of camouflage makeup that you may want to consider using until the temporary effects disappear.

Q: Are there any side effects with the laser treatment?
A: Patients may experience some temporary discoloration or reddening of the skin around the treatment site. Some patients experience pigmentary changes in skin color. The skin will typically return to normal pigmentation over time.

Q: Why should I have a vascular lesion treated?
A: Many people are uncomfortable with unsightly vascular lesions. With a means of treatment as safe and effective as the pulsed dye laser, there is simply no reason to live with this problem. Furthermore, young children or infants can be treated before they are subjected to the psychological as well as physical trauma that may be associated with a vascular lesion.

Contact our cosmetic surgeons to schedule a consultation. The Centre, P.C. offers the latest laser treatment procedures to patients in Elkhart and South Bend, Indiana, Michiana and the Southern Michigan area, and Chicago.

RiverPointe Medical Building
500 Arcade Ave., Suite 300
Elkhart, IN 46514

Chesterton
810 Michael Drive, Suite K
Chesterton, IN 46304
Toll Free: 800.909.2992
Phone: 219.395.9200
Fax: 219.926.3534