Endovenous Laser Therapy

Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) is a procedure that minimizes unsightly veins. The process involves the thermal ablation of incompetent varicose veins. In other words, the laser heats the target area from underneath the surface of the skin. Unlike vein stripping, EVLT permanently closes the abnormal vein, thereby leaving it in place without surgically removing the vein.

To learn how endovenous laser therapy can rejuvenate your appearance, contact Smith Vein & Cosmetic Surgery. We have two convenient locations in Middlefield and Concord Township, Ohio, so we are perfectly positioned to serve the needs of the greater Cleveland vicinity. Call (440) 853-8208 to schedule an appointment. We are eager to help you achieve the look you have always desired.

Before and After Photos

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About Laser Vein Treatment

In the past few years, the use of lasers has become an excellent alternative to surgical stripping for the treatment of varicose veins. If you have saphenous vein insufficiency, you are a candidate for laser therapy.^[1] 

Using the laser, we can eliminate your vein without making any incisions in the groin or stripping your vein. The laser targets the problem area subdermally without the need to extract the vein through the skin’s surface. The EVLT procedure is very well tolerated and performed using just a needle-stick. A thin laser fiber is inserted into the diseased vein, through a small puncture that does not leave a scar. Under ultrasound guidance, the laser fiber is guided up into the greater saphenous vein in the thigh or the small saphenous vein in the calf.^[2] 

The laser energy is delivered inside the vein, thereby heating it and sealing the vein closed. The procedure is done in the office with a special local anesthetic formulated from tumescent liquid.^[3] The fluid contains lidocaine, which numbs the area very quickly. The EVLT procedure typically takes less than an hour. You can resume most activities on the same day as your procedure.

What types of vein conditions does EVLT treat?

The two most common issues that endovenous laser therapy addresses are spider veins and varicose veins. Spider veins are the small, threadlike colored veins that are most often seen on the surface of the skin. While many people seek treatment for spider veins for cosmetic reasons, spider veins can also result in substantial discomfort before requiring therapy.

Varicose veins are the large, “rope-like” veins that are typically over 3 millimeters in diameter. Varicose veins generally grow in size over time and can result in substantial pain and complications if not treated.

Benefits of EVLT

Eligible Candidates

If you have visible red or purple veins that disrupt the look of your skin, then you may be an ideal candidate for endovenous laser therapy. Some veins can lead to discomfort and even cramps, hyperpigmentation, eczema, and ulceration.^[4] 

Patients should wait at least 3 months after pregnancy or major surgery before being treated for vein disease. Persons with deep vein thrombosis and patients who cannot ambulate for other reasons are not good candidates for treatment. Dr. David Smith can determine your eligibility for EVLT during your comprehensive consultation. 

Private Consultation

Vein protrusions are unwanted but not uncommon. Approximately 20% of all adults will develop varicose veins at some point in their lives.^[5] The best way to navigate the uncertainties of vein treatment is to learn from those who have gone through it before.

Our blog is full of insightful information related to spider veins, varicose veins, and the various treatments for all of the above. Dr. Smith can assess your unique issue with unwelcome veins and explain the options available to treat them. If endovenous laser therapy is the ideal solution to your needs, then Dr. Smith will proceed to explain the procedure in greater detail. On the other hand, if an alternative approach would be more beneficial, then you can explore those options during your consultation. 

Preparation and Procedure

In the 3-4 weeks leading up to EVLT treatment, you should quit smoking and stop taking certain blood-thinners. Although endovenous laser therapy is minimally-invasive, it does require small injections with a needle-stick device to guide the laser to the source of the unwanted veins. Dr. Smith wants your circulation to be at peak performance to reduce the risk of bruising.

On the day of your procedure, you will be made to feel right at home. Dr. Smith will review the details of your EVLT session before you receive a local anesthetic. This will ensure your comfort throughout the procedure. The laser beam heats and closes your problematic veins, minimizing their appearance and pain. 

What happens to blood flow after the vein is closed?

The varicose vein is no longer working, so the blood has already been rerouted. 95% of your blood is carried by your deep system, and the EVLT treatment targets only superficial veins. Because there are many veins in the leg, the blood that would have flowed through the closed vein simply flows through the other remaining healthy veins after the procedure. You will never miss it. The loss of the diseased vein is not a problem for the circulatory system. In fact, endovenous laser therapy actually improves circulation. The procedure generally takes 20-45 minutes, but the results are enduring and alluring.

Healthy Recovery

Fortunately, endovenous laser therapy is rarely associated with any serious complications when it is properly performed. Common minor complications include bruising, itching, numbness, tingling, tenderness, and tightness in the treated leg. These conditions will gradually subside over the 2-3 weeks following your EVLT treatment.

Wait 1 week before resuming heavy exercise and 2 weeks before swimming or using a hot tub.

If you have any questions or concerns about the recovery process, please do not hesitate to call us at (440) 853-8208.

Amazing Results

The bottom line when it comes to cosmetic enhancement is: does it look better than before? Dr. Smith prides himself on delivering tangible results for his Cleveland clientele. Just look at their glowing reviews and you will get a glimpse of the doctor’s dedication to excellence. 

But in addition to looking great, endovenous laser therapy can help you feel great. EVLT can alleviate pain and tissue damage resulting from dead and decaying veins. You deserve to kick those leg veins to the curb, and Dr. Smith will give you a running start.

Complementary and Alternative Procedures

There are a number of ways to comprehensively care for your skin. Blemishes and textural inconsistencies take various forms, and Smith Vein & Cosmetic Surgery is equipped to treat them with our suite of services. Dr. Smith can address rosacea, spider veins, and a wide array of other aesthetic issues. 

Regardless of your complexion woes, Dr. Smith can help. Contact our offices in Concord Township or Middlefield, Ohio to begin down the road to rejuvenation.

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