Laser Vein Removal
- Sessions
- One to three, about 4 weeks apart
- Downtime
- Minimal
- Results from
- Several weeks, as veins fade
At our Legian clinic only.
Key takeaway
Have small veins started to show on your face or legs? A laser can close the ones near the surface without a needle or a cut, and your body clears them.
Before your visit
It suits
- Small spider veins on the face
- Broken capillaries
- Fine red, purple or blue leg veins
- Time for repeat sessions if needed
Pregnancy, a recent tan, an active skin infection or light-sensitising medicine means waiting, and your doctor will say how long.
To prepare
- No tanning or fake tan beforehand, or the appointment is postponed.
- Tell your doctor about medication and anything that makes your skin sensitive to light.
- Arrive with clean skin and nothing on the area, not even lotion.
- Mention supplements, medical conditions, past vein treatments and blood thinners.
- Say if a leg feels warm or heavy, or its skin has changed.
- No waxing and no irritating products on the area shortly before your visit.
Fewer veins on show
A long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser shines through the skin into the vein, where the haemoglobin in your blood absorbs the light and turns it into heat. The heat closes the vein.
Your doctor looks at each vein and asks whether it ever hurts or swells. The settings follow its colour, size and depth, and your skin type, to spare the skin around it. The light also reaches the small vessels that feed the vein, and other veins take over the blood flow.
On the day
You wear protective eyewear while the handpiece rests on your skin and fires pulses along each vein. Each pulse is a brief, warm sting. Straight afterwards the vein may look darker, lighter or less visible.
Where it can be used
- Nose
- Cheeks
- Chin
- Selected facial areas
- Thighs
- Lower legs
The Legian clinic
The laser room at Cocoon Legian. 
The stone path between the treatment rooms at Legian. 
The salt wall at Cocoon Legian, lit from behind. 
The consultation comes first, with your doctor, before anything is booked. 
Tea on arrival, and a quiet place to sit. 
Cocoon Legian at dusk.
Healing, day by day
DowntimeMinimal
Until it settles
- For 24 to 48 hours, no hot baths, saunas, steam rooms or hard exercise.
- Use lukewarm water and gentle products until the skin settles.
- Do not pick at any crusting or dry skin.
- Keep out of direct sun and wear sunscreen every day.
- Contact us if anything unexpected develops afterwards.
- Afterwards, use a cool compress if your doctor suggests one, and do not rub or scratch.
For two weeks, keep out of strong sun, wear SPF 50 or higher outdoors, and skip harsh products. Contact us at once if swelling or discomfort is unusual or does not settle.
Day by day
- Day 0 to 1
Redness, warmth and some swelling, and treated vessels can look darker at first. Small blisters can form.
- First 24 hours
A cold compress for 10 to 15 minutes, several times. Pat the skin dry, never rub, and no makeup.
- First night
Sleep with your head slightly raised to ease the swelling.
- 48 hours to a week
No hot showers, saunas, steam rooms, hot yoga or hard exercise.
- Days 2 to 3
Redness fades. Purplish marks can show where vessels were treated, which is normal.
- Days 4 to 7
Bruising fades, and any light scabs flake off on their own. Do not pick.
- 2 to 4 weeks
Fewer broken capillaries and a more even tone. The full result can take 4 to 6 weeks.
Results
Results fromSeveral weeks, as veins fade
A treated vein may darken before it fades over several weeks. Leg veins are slower than facial ones. Once a vein has closed, it can stay closed.
Redness, warmth, swelling or bruising can follow and settle gradually. Results vary with the size of the vessel and the area treated.
Questions people ask
It is not meant for large, raised, painful or swollen veins, which may involve deeper circulation and should be seen by a vascular specialist.
Some small facial vessels respond to one session. Leg veins and larger, deeper or more numerous vessels may need two or more.
The laser cannot stop them forming, in the same area or elsewhere. If you are prone to broken capillaries, your doctor may suggest a touch-up once a year.
Most people do not. Your doctor can use cooling to protect the skin and make each pulse easier.
A treated vessel often darkens or bruises before your body clears it, as it clears a bruise. That is expected, and it passes over days to weeks.
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