 R.J. "Chip" Splinter, MD, FACS Medical Director |
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Broken Capillaries or Spider Veins What are Broken Capillaries or Spider Veins? Spider veins are small-dilated veins near the surface of the skin. They are most prevalent on the face, upper thigh area, back of knees, or calves. Spider veins are small, red, or purple veins under the skin that look like road maps. On the face, spider veins are quite superficial and they are often amenable to treatment. Because facial spider veins are hereditary and almost always associated with Rosacea, they are not curable but are very treatable. When they occur on the legs, they are often caused by a problem with a deeper vein and treatment of leg spider veins is not as successful as treatment of facial spider veins. How Do You Treat Broken Capillaries or Spider Veins? At Grant Street Medical Spa, we have had good success in eradicating broken capillaries or spider veins with our Diolite 532 Laser ®. The Diolite 532 Laser ® emits an intense beam of laser light which is selectively absorbed by the blood in the vessel. The absorption is done so precisely that surrounding tissue is minimally affected. The result is destruction of the capillaries and resolution of the redness with minimal downtime, minimal pain, and no swelling. Immediately following the treatment the area will be surrounded by a red flush which resolves over a day or two. What Does It Feel Like? Most patients feel a mild stinging sensation for a fraction of a second. A topical anesthetic (numbing) ointment may be applied 20 minutes prior to your treatment for an additional fee of $10.00, although most patients do not feel this is necessary. You need to arrive 20 minutes before your scheduled time if you want this option. Applying ice compresses at the site before treatment is also helpful. We encourage you to take 2 Tylenol, 30-60 minutes before your appointment. Do not take Aspirin or Ibuprofen (Motrin) 2 days prior to the treatment to avoid unnecessary bruising. Following the procedure, the treated area will be coated with a mild topical steroid ointment, which helps to calm the affected skin and reduces the redness resulting from the treatment. You may purchase a tube of this ointment for an additional $5.00 at our office. It is useful for several days after the treatments to reduce any itching and irritation you may feel. A SPF 30 sun block for sensitive skin will also be applied and we highly recommend this product for future sun protection. It protects against UVA and UVB damage. Are There Side Effects? You will temporarily look worse from the redness caused by the laser treatment. Treating broken capillaries is not something to do a day before your wedding or go on vacation. The veins may be more prominent for a few days, because of trapped blood, and there will be some minor scabbing similar to a small scratch which will resolve in a few days. How Many Treatments Will I Need? Persistent veins usually require more than one treatment. A typical treatment runs 15-30 minutes during which time many veins are treated. If more than one treatment is needed, treatments are usually 2-4 weeks apart. Will My Activity Be Restricted? It should not be necessary to restrict your activities. How Much Does It Cost? Initial treatment cost is $295 and secondary touch up treatments cost $185—if completed within 6 months of the initial treatment. These prices are based on 30 minutes of treatment time or 2000 pulses for a full session. If your condition is extensive and requires more than 2000 pulses you will be given the option to pay more or come back for a touch up session at a later date and reduced price. A touch up price is $185 for 15 minutes or 1000 pulses, whichever comes first. |