Laser Treatment for Varicose & Spider Veins: How It Works and What to Expect

For millions of Americans, bulging varicose veins and delicate spider veins are more than a cosmetic nuisance—they can throb, itch, and signal deeper circulation problems. In recent years, laser treatment for spider veins and laser treatment for varicose veins have emerged as safe, office-based options that require little downtime. As a U.S. vein specialist, I often meet people looking for spider vein treatment near them without fully understanding what laser technology can (and can’t) do. This post demystifies the process, from how lasers seal faulty veins to what recovery really feels like.

What Is Laser Vein Treatment?

Varicose veins laser therapy —also called endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) or simple surface laser— uses light beams to heat and collapse problematic veins, which are then absorbed by the body. Simple laser therapy targets small veins externally, while endovenous laser therapy treats larger varicose veins internally. This minimally invasive, outpatient procedure generally allows quick recovery, with mild side effects like temporary redness or swelling.

Two Main Approaches

• Surface lasers: Ideal for tiny red or blue spider veins just under the skin.

• Endovenous lasers: A fiber-optic catheter delivers laser energy inside larger varicose veins deeper in the leg.

Conditions Treated and How Lasers Work

A. Conditions Addressed

1. Spider veins (telangiectasias) on legs, ankles, or face

2. Small-to-medium varicose veins below the knee

3. Residual branches after surgical stripping

4. Venous ulcers related to chronic venous insufficiency

B. How Laser Energy Closes Veins

• Step 1: Light energy is absorbed by hemoglobin in the blood.

• Step 2: Rapid heating damages the inner vein wall (endothelium).

• Step 3: The vein spasms, collapses, and seals shut.

• Step 4: Over weeks, the body breaks down the treated vein and reabsorbs it.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, endovenous laser success rates exceed 94% at five years when performed by experienced clinicians.

What to Expect: Before, During, After

A. Before the Procedure

• Duplex ultrasound mapping to locate refluxing veins

• Review of medications (stop blood thinners only under physician guidance)

• Compression stockings fitted for post-treatment use

• Light breakfast and plenty of hydration

B. During the Procedure

1. Local tumescent anesthesia numbs the vein path.

2. A tiny puncture (about 2 mm) allows catheter insertion—no stitches.

3. Laser fiber activates while the catheter is slowly withdrawn.

4. Average time: 20–45 minutes per leg.

5. Immediate ambulation encouraged.

C. After the Procedure

• Mild tingling, tightness, or bruising for a week

• Walk 10–15 minutes every hour while awake the first day

• Compression stockings 2 weeks (except in shower or bed)

• Avoid heavy lifting > 25 lbs and hot tubs for 7–10 days

• Follow-up ultrasound in 1 week to confirm vein closure

Maintaining Lifelong Vein Health

• Move: 30 minutes of walking or calf-pumping exercise daily

• Elevate: Legs above heart level 15 minutes twice a day

• Compress: Graduated compression socks during flights or prolonged sitting

• Hydrate: Adequate water keeps blood viscosity lower

• Weight: Keep BMI in healthy range; excess weight strains leg veins

• Screen: Annual duplex scan if you have a strong family history

Recovery Timeline and Ideal Timing for Treatment

• Most patients return to desk work the next day; some even go back the same afternoon.

• Bruising fades in 7–14 days; tenderness resolves in 2–3 weeks.

• Visible results for spider veins often appear in 3–6 weeks; larger varicose veins may flatten over 2–3 months.

When to Seek Treetment

– Leg aching, heaviness, or swelling worsens by evening

– Skin discoloration or eczema develops around ankles

– A vein becomes firm, red, and painful (superficial thrombophlebitis)

– You’re planning pregnancy or major travel and want to reduce clot risk

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is laser safer than surgery?

In the hands of a trained vein specialist, complication rates are under 1 %, far lower than traditional vein stripping.

Q2. Will insurance cover it?

If duplex ultrasound proves venous reflux with symptoms, most U.S. insurers cover varicose vein treatment. MAPS will cover this treatment with most insurance providers.

Q3. Can the veins come back?

Closed veins rarely reopen, but new feeder veins can develop. Maintaining healthy habits and wearing compression during long flights lowers recurrence risk.

Quick-Facts Recap

• Laser treatment for spider veins works best for tiny purple vessels < 3 mm.

• Laser treatment for varicose veins eliminates reflux in the great or small saphenous veins through heat-induced closure.

• Modern varicose vein treatment combines duplex imaging, endovenous laser, and foam sclerotherapy for branch veins.

• Durable outcomes rely on precise varicose veins laser therapy delivered at 1,470 nm wavelength with radial fibers.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re bothered by faint webs on your ankles or rope-like cords that ache after a workday, today’s laser options are quick, minimally invasive, and highly effective. If you’re searching online for spider vein treatment near you or considering varicose veins laser therapy, schedule a consultation to learn which approach fits your anatomy and goals. Patients based out of Chicago or Des Plaines can book a free consultation with us at MAPS - Midwest Anesthesia and Pain Specialists to discuss personalized laser treatment for varicose veins and laser treatment for spider veins in a comfortable outpatient setting.