 Vein Services/Cosmetic Services > Facial Vein Treatments
Facial Vein Treatments
Jump to photos
Click here to read about Rosacea
Here are some comments from a few of our happy patients:
This has changed my self-esteem. My confidence is improved. Skin not only looks better, it feels better. MH,25, Newmarket
Love the results of spider veins and red spot removal. MM, 52, Mt. Albert
I had no problems whatsoever and am very pleased. My friend had a red spot on her neck which is completely gone after one visit. DP, 52, Aurora
I was very happy with my treatment. I was told I may need two treatments, but I was very happy with the first. SS, 43, Pefferlaw
Questions and Answers
What veins can be treated using lasers?
Facial veins are treated using laser or intense pulsed light (IPL) or a combination of the two.
Veins that are easily visible to the naked eye are readily treated with our CoolGlide Excel laser. Frequently, only one or two treatments are required.
Vessels that are barely visible to the naked eye and produce a blushed appearance are best treated with intense pulsed light. Usually several treatments are needed. Rosacea is an example of this type of facial vein.
Spider nevi (photo) are small red blood vessels with a central dot and little "legs", giving them the name "spider". They respond well to laser.
Capillary hemangiomas respond very well to laser. These are the so-called "ruby spots", little red dots that you get anywhere on your skin. If you have one, you likely have dozens. When these spots are larger and raised, they are called cherry angiomas (photo).
Venous lakes are pools of darker blood, most frequently found on lips. They are often mistaken for moles, because they can be almost black. They respond very well to laser. (photo)
Back to top
How does laser vein treatment work?
Laser energy is selectively absorbed by hemoglobin, the pigment in blood. This produces a rapid rise in temperature that damages the vessel wall resulting in contraction and scarring of the vein. If this vessel is permanently damaged, it will never return.
Some vessels are only damaged and do not die. They may go into spasm and be invisible for an hour or two, and then return. These vessels need to be treated again.
Some vessels do not appear to have been damaged initially, but they shrivel and disappear over the next two to three weeks.
Back to top
How much does it hurt?
There is no easy answer to this question, since pain perception and tolerance varies greatly from person to person.
While laser hair removal is generally very well tolerated, laser treatment of veins requires about 1.5 times as much energy, which results in mild to moderate pain.
When IPL is used, the treatment is generally quite comfortable, producing a brief sharp zing.
Topical anesthetic creams are available, but they produce constriction of blood vessels, which reduces the efficacy of treatment. These creams are useful for hair removal, but they are not recommended for vein treatments.
We use skin cooling and vibration to decrease discomfort.
Back to top
What are the risks of laser vein treatment?
Laser vein treatment causes mild to moderate pain. This pain is momentary, like a pinprick or the snap of an elastic band. It rarely persists following the treatment.
Mild redness is normal and usually lasts about two days.
The powerful light of the laser can occasionally cause burning and blistering. Most burns are only one to two millimeters in diameter. Most burns heal uneventfully, but burning may lead to scarring. Laser scars look like chickenpox or acne scars: small, circular, and slightly indented. They are permanent.
Skin color changes can occur. This can be increased pigmentation (melanin and/or hemosiderin) or decreased pigmentation. Recent exposure to sunlight or tanning booths will increase the risk dramatically when using IPL. This effect is almost always temporary, usually lasting a few weeks to months. In very rare cases it is permanent.
Bruising occasionally complicates laser treatment of veins. Generally, these bruises resolve in one week or so, but rarely a yellowy staining of the skin persists for a few months. This is iron staining.
Occasionally people develop a light-induced rash (photodermatitis), which can be intensely itchy but resolves spontaneously in a few days. It can be treated with cortisone cream.
Matting is a phenomenon in which your body builds numerous tiny blood vessels in the treated area. These vessels usually resolve over several months, but they may require treatment to make them resolve.
Freckles and pigmented lesions may temporarily or permanently disappear.
Since the laser and IPL also remove hair, you will lose some hair in the treated area.
Goggles must be worn during the procedure to protect the eyes.
Back to top
Does laser vein treatment increase my risk for skin cancer?
Absolutely not. The wavelength of light that produces skin cancer is in the ultraviolet range of the spectrum. The CoolGlide laser produces light at the opposite end of the spectrum in the infrared range. It will not cause skin cancer.
Intense pulsed light contains all wavelengths of light, but the short wavelengths in the ultraviolet range are all filtered out.
Back to top
Is laser vein treatment permanent?
Veins that are destroyed by the laser will not regenerate. Veins that are only damaged may persist. Some veins are not damaged at all.
Since laser and IPL treatments do not alter the underlying condition, new vessels are likely to develop. Facial vein treatments are commonly repeated every two years or so. Rosacea treatments may require touchups one or three times a year.
The goal of treatment is improvement, not perfection. Your expectations must be realistic.
Back to top
How many treatments will be required?
Facial veins can frequently be eliminated in only one or two treatments. Occasionally, five or more treatments are required. Most commonly, one or two sessions of laser are given for the larger vessels, followed by two to four sessions of IPL to treat the general underlying redness produced by tiny vessels.
Back to top
What skin colors can be treated?
Whereas the laser can treat any skin color for hair removal, the high energy used for vein treatments is generally not tolerated by darker skinned people. Blacks and East Indians may be too pigmented to treat safely. A small test patch in a less visible area is recommended.
Back to top
Should I avoid tanning prior to treatment?
The darker your skin color, the more dangerous the laser is to your skin. This is because melanin in the skin absorbs the laser light and heats the skin.
In most cases, a bit of suntan is not significant. However, for certain individuals, this little bit of tan may put your skin over the threshold for burning or pigment changes when treating veins.
Therefore, it is preferable, but not absolutely necessary, to treat untanned skin.
Back to top
How long do treatments take?
Laser or IPL treatment of the face usually take 15-20 minutes. Usually 60 to 120 laser pulses are required. IPL uses a larger spot size, so the same area might require about 20 pulses.
Small areas the size of a loonie can be treated in a few minutes with 10-20 laser pulses.
Back to top
At what intervals are treatments repeated?
The same area should not be treated again until the skin has settled. One week or more should be allowed between treatments. Over a period of six weeks or so veins that did not seem to respond to treatment may fade and disappear. Therefore, we recommend waiting four to six weeks for maximum benefit to become evident, before deciding on further treatment.
Back to top
What can be done to minimize discomfort?
It is perfectly reasonable to take Tylenol with or without codeine prior to treatment. Aspirin and ibuprofen should be avoided because they may contribute to bruising.
Topical anesthetic creams are available, but they produce constriction of blood vessels, which reduces the success of treatment. These creams are useful for hair removal, but they are not recommended for vein treatments.
Back to top
What can I expect following treatment?
The ultimate goal is for you to achieve instantaneous results and leave the office free of visible veins. This is possible with visible veins, but not with the tiny veins seen in rosacea.
Redness always occurs and may persist for two or three days.
Treatment of facial veins is very unlikely to produce any adverse reaction such as swelling, bruising, and blistering. Makeup will easily cover most adverse skin reactions that occur. This is in contrast to laser treatments in the early days, when swelling , blistering, and bruising were considered normal and were evident for two or three weeks following treatment.
Tiny blood clots may form inside the vessel. This will make the vessel appear darker than it was, and you may think that the treatment has not worked. These clots are harmless and will disappear over a two weeks or so along with the vein.
Blistering is not considered normal or acceptable. Unfortunately, due to the high levels of energy used for vein treatment, burning and blistering do occur. In most cases these burns are only a one or two millimeters in diameter and heal uneventfully. If a scar forms, it will have the appearance of an acne or chickenpox scar.
Back to top
What are my restrictions after treatment?
You should avoid exposure to the sun and use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 for about five days following laser treatment and two weeks following IPL treatment. Anthelios and UV Shield are excellent sunscreens with broad-spectrum coverage of damaging UV-A and UV-B rays.
Avoid hot baths for a few days.
Otherwise, there are no restrictions. You can return to your daily activities immediately.
Back to top
Does OHIP cover the cost of laser vein treatments?
No. This treatment is considered to be cosmetic.
Back to top
Does extended health insurance cover the cost of laser vein treatments?
Generally speaking, the answer is no, but this depends on your policy. Check with your insurance agent.
Back to top
Is laser vein treatment eligible for tax credits?
Yes! Since we are a medical clinic, we can provide you with a receipt for medical expenses that can be used for tax purposes.
Back to top
What is your cancellation policy?
We require 48 hours notice for cancellation of your consultation or treatment, in order to fill the appointment time. If sufficient notice is not given, the full value of the treatment to be done may be charged. The minimum charge for a missed appointment or late cancellation is $80 (eighty dollars).
Back to top
Pixel (skin resurfacing) Information
(this information has nothing to do with facial veins. It has been placed here until the proper page is up and running. None of the links work yet.)
What is the Pixel?
What is skin resurfacing?
What makes the Pixel different from traditional resurfacing lasers?
What conditions can be treated using the Pixel?
Who is a good candidate for Pixel treatments?
What skin colors can be treated?
How much does it hurt?
What are the risks of Pixel treatment?
Does Pixel treatment increase my risk for skin cancer?
Are Pixel treatment results permanent?
How many treatments will be required?
Should I avoid tanning prior to treatment?
How long do treatments take?
At what intervals are treatments repeated?
What can I expect following treatment?
How do I care for my skin and what are my restrictions after treatment?
Does extended health insurance cover the cost of laser vein treatments?
Is laser vein treatment eligible for tax credits?
What is your cancellation policy?
How do I book a consultation?
What is the Pixel?
The Pixel is a skin resurfacing laser.
What is skin resurfacing?
Skin resurfacing is a process whereby a thin layer of old skin is removed and your body replaces it with new skin.
Prior to the early 1990s the only options available for resurfacing were deep chemical peels and dermabrasion. The entire skin surface was removed leaving a huge open wound that required about a month to heal. In the early ‘90s laser resurfacing came along. This technique was much more precise and therefore safer. It quickly became the standard for resurfacing. Unfortunately, it still required a month of recovery.
What makes the Pixel different from traditional resurfacing lasers?
Traditional lasers burn off every square millimeter of skin, necessitating a lengthy recovery. With the Pixel, the laser beam is split (“fractionated”) into numerous tiny beams. Each of these tiny beams burns a tiny hole that is surrounded by undamaged skin. This surrounding uninjured skin seals over the tiny burns very quickly. About three days of redness follows each treatment. Compare that to one month of recovery for traditional resurfacing.
Only a small percentage of skin is injured with each treatment (“fractional resurfacing”). Over the course of several treatments (usually six sessions) with the Pixel, the entire surface will have been removed and replaced. The resultant improvement comes close, but is not equal to traditional resurfacing.
What conditions can be treated using the Pixel?
Laser resurfacing with the Pixel will bring about improvement in fine lines, skin texture, pigmentation, and shallow scars.
Smooth rounded acne scars can be treated. Sharp “ice pick” acne scars cannot be treated.
Melasma, the so-called “pregnancy mask”, is resistant to most forms of treatment, but it responds quite well to Pixel.
Who is a good candidate for Pixel treatments?
Because of the lengthy downtime and aggressive nature of traditional laser resurfacing, this treatment was generally only used in severely damaged skin. The most common age group was 60-70 year olds. Younger people generally did not have problems severe enough to justify this aggressive treatment. And how many young people can take a month out of their lives for healing time? Acne scarring was the most common exception.
With the brief downtime and safety of the fractional resurfacing by the Pixel, much younger people are now being treated. Most commonly this is 40-50 year olds with mild to severe pigmentation and mild to moderate lines. Older people generally are beyond the capabilities of the Pixel. However, age is only one factor. There are many people in their 60s who are excellent candidates, and many people in their 50s who are poor candidates. The severity of the problem is what matters most.
The Pixel is appropriate to treat acne scarring at any age.
What skin colors can be treated?
All skin colors can be treated except for black skin, which has a high risk of hyperpigmentation.
How much does it hurt?
There is no easy answer to this question, since pain perception and tolerance varies greatly from person to person.
Generally, the treatment itself is quite easily tolerated. Every shot feels like a minor prick.
Ice or cold air is usually all that is required to stay comfortable. Topical anesthetic creams are available, but most people won’t need them during treatment.
However, immediately following treatment, topical anesthetics will be applied, because you will start to feel hot like a sunburn. When topical anesthetics are applied to intact skin, you don’t feel it as it goes on, and it takes an hour to work. It’s totally different after a Pixel treatment. Because of all the tiny holes that have been created, the topical anesthetic stings as it goes on. Fortunately, the holes also allow immediate penetration of the anesthetic and it starts to work in about fifteen seconds. The sunburn sensation and the sting from the anesthetic will both disappear in seconds.
What are the risks of Pixel treatment?
Risks are minimal because of the limited surface area that is damaged and the very shallow penetration of the laser.
Because the skin has been disrupted, it is at risk of infection.
Swelling can occur, especially in soft areas like under the eyes.
Discoloration of the skin can occur on rare occasions. This can be increased pigmentation or decreased pigmentation. This effect is almost always temporary, usually lasting a few months.
Hair can be singed. It will grow back, because the Pixel does not penetrate deep enough to damage the follicle itself.
Cold sores can be triggered if you are prone to them.
Scarring is theoretically possible, but extremely unlikely because of the shallow penetration of the laser.
The Pixel can injure the surface of the eye (cornea). Although this is a painful injury, it will almost always heal uneventfully in 24-48 hours. Injury to the retina and subsequent blindness does not happen with this laser, because of its very shallow penetration. Despite being relatively safe for the eyes, you will be provided with goggles during treatment.
Does Pixel treatment increase my risk for skin cancer?
Absolutely not. The wavelength of light that produces skin cancer is in the ultraviolet range. The Pixel laser produces light at the opposite end of the spectrum in the infrared range. It will not cause skin cancer.
Are the results of Pixel treatment permanent?
The Pixel treatment is trying to reverse some of the signs of aging, but it doesn’t stop the aging process. Poor skin texture and fine lines will eventually return. Maintenance treatments are needed, perhaps one treatment annually. You can slow down aging by avoiding the sun, using a full spectrum sunscreen, using topical anti-oxidants like vitamin C serum, and using other anti-aging products.
Pigmentation will also return, although you can also slow this down by avoiding the sun and by using a full spectrum sunscreen and a topical antioxidant such as vitamin C serum.
As long as there is no further active acne, the improvements seen in acne scarring are permanent.
How many treatments will be required?
Typically you will need 6 sessions. If the problem is difficult, you may need more.
Should I avoid tanning prior to treatment?
No one should be tanning. It damages your skin. Specifically in relation to Pixel treatments, you should avoid the sun for two weeks before and after your treatments. If you have had enough sun recently to add color to your skin, that’s too much sun. You run the risk of pigment changes.
How long do treatments take?
Pixel treatment of the face usually takes 45 minutes. Hands, chest, and neck take about 30 minutes.
At what intervals are treatments repeated?
The same area should not be treated again until the skin has recovered. One week or more should be allowed between treatments. We usually book you every two weeks.
What can I expect following treatment?
Before the treatment is finished your skin will start to feel hot like a sunburn.
You will have thousands of tiny tan-colored spots on your skin immediately after treatment. They will give you an overall appearance of a grid pattern on your skin, like a screen. This can be seen easily on the first day or two and, thereafter, only on close inspection.
There will be redness for 24-48 hours, and you will feel like you have a sunburn.
After about 3 days only patchy irritated looking skin will be visible.
From about day 3 to day 5 you may see bronzing of the skin, like artificial tanning creams.
Skin should be normal in 5-7 days.
Your skin will be very dry for a week or so.
Pigment in the treated area will darken an hour or two after treatment, then gradually fade over about two weeks as the skin does its normal sloughing.
There should be no blistering or oozing.
How do I care for my skin and what are my restrictions after treatment?
You should avoid exposure to the sun for two days.
During the first two days you should only use the creams provided. One is a topical anesthetic that will eliminate the sting. The other is a cortisone/antibiotic to reduce swelling and reduce the risk of infection.
After the first two days you can apply makeup and use sunscreen and moisturizers. However, you should continue to avoid the sun and use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 for two weeks following Pixel treatments. We have several excellent sunscreens with broad-spectrum coverage of damaging UV-A and UV-B rays.
You will likely want to stay home for two or three days when the redness and swelling are peaking.
Otherwise, there are no restrictions.
When can I expect to see benefits of Pixel treatments?
Beneficial effects for pigmentation are usually evident after about 2 treatments.
Fine lines should improve after about 4 treatments.
Scarring takes the longest to improve, 5 or 6 sessions.
Peak effects are seen 4-6 months after the last treatment as new collagen slowly forms.
Does OHIP cover the cost of Pixel treatments?
No. This treatment is considered to be cosmetic.
Does extended health insurance cover the cost of Pixel treatments?
Generally speaking, the answer is no, but this depends on your policy. Check with your insurance agent.
Is Pixel treatment eligible for tax credits?
Probably! Since we are a medical clinic, we can provide you with a receipt for medical expenses that can be used for tax purposes. Talk to your accountant.
What is your cancellation policy?
We require 48 hours notice for cancellation of your consultation or treatment, in order to fill the appointment time. If sufficient notice is not given, the full value of the treatment to be done may be charged. The minimum charge for a missed appointment or late cancellation is $80 (eighty dollars).
How do I book a consultation?
Spider nevus before and immediately after laser treatment. In a week or two there will be nothing at all to see.
 Cherry angioma  before and immediately after laser treatment. In a week or two there will be nothing at all to see.
 
Venous Lake before and after treatment with Coolglide laser.
|
