She reserves the laser for tiny vessels, such as those left over after sclerotherapy, or for patients who shy away from injections. With sclerotherapy, a concentrated saline solution or other sclerosing agent is injected directly into the vein. Laser treatment alone may be adequate for treating tiny spider veins such as those around the feet and ankles.
Circumstances also exist where lasers offer the only option for treatment.
Although rare, a patient may be allergic to the sclerosing agent, and pregnant women should not be exposed to the chemicals used with sclerotherapy. It is advisable, however, for pregnant women to wait approximately 6 to 12 weeks after delivery to determine if treatment is necessary as there is a high likelihood that prominent veins will regress or disappear when hormone fluctuations stabilize. To report any corrections please contact the webmaster .