Spider Vein Removal Aftercare Instructions
These are my instructions for before and after laser spider vein removal. The laser uses focused light to heat and close small surface veins. Most people need more than one session to clear them fully. Following these steps will help you get the best result and lower the chance of side effects. If anything is unclear, call the office.
23+ YEARS EXPERIENCE | BOARD CERTIFIED MD | FORMER ASST. PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE | 5.0★ ACROSS 136 REVIEWS
About the Procedure
Laser spider vein removal closes small surface veins — spider veins, or telangiectasias — with focused light. On the face a session usually takes five to ten minutes; on the legs, ten to thirty minutes depending on how many areas we treat and how many veins there are in each. Most people need more than one session. The next one waits until the treated area has fully healed, which should not take more than two weeks, and the veins fade gradually over the weeks after each one.
Before Your Treatment
In the weeks before
- Keep the area to be treated out of the sun and away from tanning beds for at least two to four weeks. Tanned or sunburned skin raises the risk of burns, blistering and changes in skin colour. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher, if the area cannot be covered.
- Tell me about all medications and supplements you take, especially blood thinners such as aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel or fish oil, which can increase bruising. Do not stop any prescribed medication without checking with the prescriber first.
- Tell me if you have a history of cold sores in the area, easy scarring or keloids, recent isotretinoin (Accutane) use, a bleeding disorder, or if you are or could be pregnant.
- Tell me about any recent tan, self-tanner use or planned sun exposure so the appointment can be adjusted if needed.
The day of
- Come with clean skin. Do not apply lotion, oil, self-tanner or makeup to the treatment area.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
- Numbing is not usually needed. Most people find the treatment easy to tolerate, and numbing cream is available if you would like it.
- Plan for a normal day. Most people drive themselves home and go back to their usual activities.
After Your Treatment
Redness, mild swelling and warmth over the treated veins are normal and usually settle within a few hours to a few days. The steps below keep the area clean and comfortable while the veins fade.
First 24 hours
Do
- Walk and keep lightly active. Beyond that, exercise depends on how comfortable you feel.
- Use a cool compress, applied gently, if the area is sore.
- For discomfort, take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or an NSAID such as ibuprofen, unless I have told you otherwise.
Do Not
- Do not wash the area with soap for the first 24 hours. Running water, such as a shower, is fine at any time.
- Do not put hot water on the area — no hot baths, hot tubs or saunas for at least 24 hours.
- Do not scratch, pick or peel any crusts or scabs.
Days 2 to 14
- Keep the area clean: wash gently with mild soap and lukewarm water, with your hands or clean gauze. Do not scrub with a washcloth or loofah, and do not rub the skin.
- Keep the area moisturised: apply a petrolatum-based ointment such as plain petroleum jelly, as directed, until the skin has fully healed.
- Let any crusts or scabs fall off on their own, to avoid scarring and colour changes.
- Bruising is common and may take one to two weeks to fade.
Sun protection and your results
- Protect the treated area from the sun until it has fully healed, and ideally for several weeks. Cover it, or use SPF 30 or higher. Sun on healing skin is the leading cause of dark or light spots after laser.
- The veins fade gradually over several weeks. The full result is not immediate, and some veins need another session.
- Temporary colour changes — darker or lighter patches — can occur and usually improve over time.
- The treatment does not stop new spider veins forming in future. Keep any follow-up visit so I can check healing and plan further sessions if needed.
What to Expect and What Is Normal
Redness, mild swelling and warmth over the treated veins, settling within a few hours to a few days. The treated veins may look darker, faintly bruised or slightly raised at first — this is part of how the laser works and does not mean anything is wrong. Bruising is common and may take one to two weeks to fade. Small crusts or scabs may form over the veins.
Call the office at (415) 644-8301 if you notice:
- Increasing pain — on its own or with spreading redness, warmth, swelling or pus — these can be signs of infection
- Blistering, open sores, or skin that turns white or dark or does not heal
- A fever
Spider Vein Removal Aftercare FAQs
Questions About Your Care?
Keep these instructions for reference between sessions, and do not hesitate to call the office with any questions. Your comfort, safety and result are the priority at every session.