(Eric Towne Square)
120 Hebron Avenue
Suite 200
Glastonbury, CT 06033
Medical lasers used for non-invasive cosmetic procedures have advanced in sophistication in recent years. Laser vein removal – offered at our Glastonbury, Connecticut office serving Hartford and the New Haven area – is a safe and effective way to eliminate veins on the face, neck, chest, legs, and elsewhere. Laser vein removal has few side effects and allow patients to resume regular activities following treatment.
Both men and women are eligible for laser vein removal at our office serving Glastonbury, Hartford, and New Haven, Connecticut. Patients taking blood thinners or who are afflicted with a serious illness are not good candidates for treatment. Patients with photosensitivity disorder, bleeding disorders, dark suntans, diabetes, or who are currently taking photosensitizing medications may also be restricted from laser vein removal.
The number of laser vein removal treatments at our Connecticut office depends on your skin type, the size of the vein , the color of the vein , and your body’s ability to heal. During your laser vein removal consultation at our office serving Glastonbury, Hartford, and the New Haven, Connecticut area, Dr. Bruce Burnham will determine the number of treatments required.
First , cool ice packs are applied to the veins to be treated. Next, a cool Ultrasonic Gel is applied to the treatment area. The actual laser vein removal procedure last between 15 to 45 minutes and is performed with the patient and laser technician wearing protective glasses. The heart of the laser damages the walls of the veins. With the body’s natural healing process, the veins shrink and become less visible or disappear altogether. For virtually every small vein disorder, studies have shown extraordinary results with laser vein removal. Our Glastonbury, Connecticut office does not treat varicose veins at this time.
There is little downtime involved with laser vein removal, though you may be asked not to perform vigorous exercise for 24 hours. You may also be asked to avoid chlorine pools for a short time. Otherwise, you may resume all other normal activities immediately following laser vein removal. Any pain experienced after laser vein removal is often mild. Bruising or swelling of the treatment area may occur but will go away over time. You can greatly minimize the risk of complications by limiting exposure to the sun.
Laser vein removal at our Glastonbury office serving Hartford and New Haven, Connecticut can treat many types of leg veins such as reticular veins and spider veins. Both types of veins respond very well to laser vein removal.
Laser vein removal costs $350 for treatments performed in 30 minutes or less. Most laser vein removal treatments can be done in 30 minutes. For laser vein removals that take longer than 30 minutes, the cost is $450.
The morning of your laser vein removal at our office serving Glastonbury, Hartford, and the New Haven, Connecticut area, you should not put anything on the skin to be treated. It is fine to use cleanser when you bathe or shower, but it should be a gentle cleanser that doesn’t contain any harsh dyes, fragrances, or perfumes.
Prior to laser vein removal, you must not be tanning or have sunburn. If you have a dark tan, it is best to let it fade before laser vein removal. Avoid all self-tanners and tanning beds at least three weeks prior to laser vein removal. Stop any electrolysis, waxing, plucking, tweezing, and depilatory use on the treatment area.
Aspirin and all blood thinners should be avoided two weeks before and two weeks after your laser vein removal.
If you have high blood pressure, wait until your blood pressure is under control before undergoing laser vein removal .
If you have a tendency to develop rashes such as eczema, poison ivy dermatitis, contact dermatitis, psoriasis, folliculitis, seborrhea dermatitis, please inform the practitioner prior to laser vein removal.
(If you have Oral Herpes eruptions, but it is not currently active, your practitioner may put you on an anti-viral medication. Discuss with your practitioner)
(Your suntan must be at least two weeks old. This includes tanning beds and self-tanners)
If you have received laser vein removal on the face or legs, these areas will usually swell for up to 24 hours. Your face or legs may look redder and appear to have small scratches. This usually subsides within 48 hours.
After 48 hours, the skin over the treated veins will look slightly red, purple, or bruised. Sometimes the veins will be more visible than they were prior to treatment. This is normal. Within the first two to three weeks, the redness and purple color will begin to fade. Each week, the color will become lighter and the veins will become less and less noticeable. After six weeks, if any veins are still visible, a second laser vein removal will be required.
It is most important that you moisturize the treated area at least four times a day. You cannot over moisturize. Simply apply a light film of either Aquaphor® or Vaseline. You must use the Aquaphor® at least five days after your laser vein removal. Do not use other moisturizers as they may contain irritating products. Bacitracin and Neosporin® are not usually recommended, as some patients will display skin sensitivity or allergic reaction to antibiotics. After five days, if the skin has returned to normal, you may use a moisturizer that is dye, perfume, and fragrance free. If you need this type of moisturizer following laser vein removal, our Glastonbury, Connecticut office has such products available. You should also cleanse the skin twice a day after laser vein removal. You may use Cetaphil® cleanser or one of our cleansers. Please pat rather than rub the skin dry and moisturize immediately after cleansing.
If by the second day after treatment your skin appears normal, you may use sunscreen (SPF 15 or 30). Of course, continue with the Aquaphor® several times per day.
Make-up may be applied 24 hours after the laser vein removal as long as there is no inflammation, irritation, or severe redness of the treated areas. If scabbing or crusting occurs, no make-up should be applied until these have cleared.
Working out, aerobic exercise, weight lifting, treadmills, and other strenuous activity should be delayed for 24 hours since perspiration may aggravate the treated area.
Patients should avoid excessive sun exposure for two weeks following laser vein removal.
If you have any swelling or discomfort in the treatment area, cold packs or cold compresses may be applied.
If you experience any pain, you may use two extra-strength Tylenol or Advil every four hours. Do not use Aspirin or Advil (ibuprofen) for two weeks.
After laser vein removal, you should not do any of the following for two weeks:
The following reactions may occur after laser vein removal:
These will resolve within 24 hours.
If you may have scheduled another laser vein removal at our Connecticut office serving Glastonbury, Hartford, and the New Haven area, please consult your written Pre-Laser Treatment guidelines again to remind yourself of those products, treatments, and activities you must avoid.
For more information about laser vein removal at our office serving Glastonbury, Hartford, and the New Haven, Connecticut area, contact Dr. Bruce Burnham at The Plastic Surgery Center today.