Spider veins get their name because of their spider-like appearance. These veins are usually prominent clusters that are visible in the skin. They can be red, blue, or purple tortuous vessels. These veins can develop anywhere, but most commonly occur on the legs and face.

Reticular veins are blue/green in colour and lie under the surface of the skin. They are smaller in diameter than varicose veins and they do not bulge or appear “ropey” like varicose veins do. Reticular veins are sometimes feeder veins for spider veins, which is why you often find them existing together.

This 100% non-invasive treatment uses targeted laser energy to pinpoint problematic veins on the surface of the skin. This is an excellent option for those who hate needles, as there are no injections. This surface-level treatment means minimal discomfort and shorter recovery times compared to outdated surgical approaches. Many patients experience significant improvement after just a few treatment sessions, making laser vein treatment an attractive option.

The laser selectively treats individual veins by targeting hemoglobin (chromophore) without causing thermal damage to the surrounding tissue. Laser light is absorbed by hemoglobin in the veins and the heat produced causes photocoagulation (clotting of the blood). This heat is transferred to the vessel wall which ultimately helps to destroy the vessel prompting the body's natural healing processes to remove them gradually.

The laser can treat many vein and vascular conditions on the surface of the skin. The laser uses different wavelengths—customized to your skin type and vein issues—to improve the appearance of the unwanted veins.

Larger varicose veins (ropey and cord-like in appearance) which cannot be treated by laser, can be assessed by our vascular surgeon for ultrasound guided sclerotherapy or other minimal invasive procedures.

Excel V+ laser is uniquely designed specifically to target small spider and reticular veins, which because of their small size and/or tortuosity, are poor candidates for sclerotherapy.

The Excel®V+ laser treatments are completely non-invasive, there are no incisions, no needles, and very little recovery time. Laser procedures are done in our office by our laser certified Registered Nurse in collaboration with vascular surgeons.
Patients receiving Excel®V+ laser treatment have said that it feels like a quick, tiny stinging (much like a rubber band snap) and cooling sensations. Once finished, patients can walk right out and continue with their day. After treatment it is best to avoid heavy sunlight exposure on treated area for four weeks. Our laser nurse will review before and after care instructions with you at the time of your consultation.

The number of treatments required varies from person to person. The laser nurse will review a treatment plan that is right for you. In most cases, vein removal treatment plans require between 2-3 treatments (approximately 12 weeks apart) to reach the full desired outcome (sometimes more and sometimes less, depending on the extent of your veins). Facial rejuvenation and pigmentation treatments are often most effective with 4-6 treatments (approximately 4 weeks apart). Book a free consultation with our laser nurse to discuss a treatment plan that is right for you!

Excel®V+ laser treatments do not use needles or incisions, and side effects are rare. Most commonly, there will be some redness where you’ve received treatment, but this will resolve within a few days. In rare situations, skin hyperpigmentation can occur; however, our laser nurse is highly trained to customize the laser wavelength and strength to your unique skin type. As with any laser treatment, we recommend avoiding heavy sunlight for four weeks following treatment to minimize the risk of side effects.

Spider and reticular veins can be hereditary, so if you have a close relative with these veins, chances are you might have them too. Many people can develop them from sitting or standing for long periods of time. They can become more common with pregnancy and aging. Sometimes hormonal changes and injury can cause spider veins to appear as well. Other risk factors include smoking, obesity, and spending a lot of time in the sun.

Spider veins are typically harmless and do not cause any symptoms. In rare cases, they may cause some itching, mild burning, or discomfort (most often in the legs), but often these symptoms are unrelated to spider veins. If you are experiencing symptoms that affect your daily activities, such as severe swelling in the legs, develop a rash, or other skin irritation, you should consult your family doctor for further assessment.

Facial spider veins or telangiectasias are similar to spider veins, only they are located on the face and are often very small and fine red lines. Excel®V+ laser is effective in treating these vessels because of the Dermastat (532 nm) handpiece that allows for successful treatment of discreet vascular and/or pigmented lesions. Because the Excel®V+ is minimally invasive and requires minimal downtime, this makes the laser an ideal treatment for treating the face. After a face treatment, most people get back to their day immediately after their treatment. Because the Excel®V+ laser does not require needles or incisions, most people can apply makeup immediately after the treatment as well.