Intense pulsed light (IPL) can reduce the appearance of spider veins on the face and body.
IPL treatment is often used to reduce the appearance of spider webs, which are visible clumps of tiny web-like capillaries near the surface of the skin.
Spider webs are not dangerous and do not lead to health problems, but some people want to get rid of them for aesthetic reasons.
There are many treatments for spider varicose veins, each with advantages and disadvantages. If you want to make the spider web less noticeable, IPL may be a good treatment.
Spider veins, also known as telangiectasias or filiform veins, are clusters of small visible veins near the surface of the skin. They often resemble spider webs.
People often use the terms “spider veins” and “varicose veins” interchangeably, but we usually use “spider veins” to refer to smaller vein masses, whereas varicose veins are larger. It may form a rope.
Both spider veins and varicose veins usually appear on the legs. Spider webs are most common on the ankles, but can also appear on the face.
Spider webs seem to occur when veins aren’t working properly. Veins usually have valves that allow blood to flow in one direction only. However, if these valves are not working, blood can flow in the wrong direction.
As a result, blood stays in the veins. This blood builds up over time and the pressure causes the veins to enlarge. This causes spider veins.
But what causes the valves to stop working? It’s not always clear, but swelling seems to cause spider veins in some people. This is why spider webs often develop on the ankles during pregnancy.
Yes, IPL can be used to reduce the appearance of spider veins on the body and face.
IPL is similar to laser treatment. The main difference is that laser he uses light of one wavelength whereas IPL uses light of different wavelengths. IPL can also be used to reduce unwanted hair, wrinkles, age spots and rosacea.
Is IPL a good option for spider veins?
yes. IPL is an effective non-invasive treatment to reduce the appearance of spider veins.
IPL has many advantages. As little as one session can start reducing the appearance of spider veins, but the more pronounced spider veins will only disappear after he has 6 or more IPL sessions. It is convenient because the IPL session is quick and does not require recovery time in between.
Compared to sclerotherapy, another common treatment for spider veins, in which a medical professional injects a drug into the vein to block it, IPL may be more suitable for: .
However, there are some drawbacks to using IPL for spider veins. For example, estheticians say it may be less effective for people with darker skin because it can cause visible scarring.
IPL treatment involves applying light to the skin. This light penetrates the skin to the dermis layer. Unlike laser treatments, IPL uses multiple light wavelengths. It can be used to treat many aesthetic problems such as sun damage, sun spots and uneven skin texture.
When used to treat spider veins, IPL targets the red or purple pigments in blood vessels. Directs heat to blood vessels, effectively destroying them. The collapsed blood vessels are absorbed by the body.
During the IPL session, the technician uses a handheld device. You may need to wear goggles to protect your eyes.
IPL treatment takes 10 to 20 minutes. Normal activities such as going back to work and exercising can resume on the same day.
Depending on your pain threshold, your session may be slightly uncomfortable or painful. Some people consider it a mild discomfort, comparing it to a slight soreness or the sensation of waxing your feet. often
You may or may not see changes immediately after treatment, but within a few weeks, the broken blood vessels may resorb and disappear.
How many IPL sessions are required for spider veins?
Three to six IPL sessions may be required to minimize the development of spider veins. However, you may notice a difference immediately after your first session.
Sessions should be spaced to allow the skin to heal. The amount of time needed between sessions depends on the skin and the appearance of spider veins, but IPL sessions are usually done about a month apart.
Large, prominent spider veins may require more sessions to reduce their appearance, while more subtle spider veins may require fewer sessions.
IPL treatment for spider veins may be more effective if:
- have light to medium-toned skin
- Has red or purple spider webs
- Has mild or light cobwebs
If you’re unsure if IPL is right for you, consult a skin care professional.
Potential side effects of IPL
Mild redness and swelling may occur for a day or two after IPL. However, it should not be painful and should not be severe enough to interfere with daily life.
In some cases the following may occur:
- bruise
- blisters
- scarring
- skin color change
Scars are more likely to occur in darker-skinned people.
If IPL is not an option, other treatments for spider veins are available and may be more suitable.
Treatment of spider varicose veins may include:
- Sclerotherapy: This is when a medical professional injects a drug into the vein that sticks the walls of the vein together. Over time, the affected vein becomes less noticeable.
- Intravenous laser therapy and radiofrequency ablation: In these procedures, the doctor makes a small incision and inserts a heated laser fiber into the blood vessel to collapse the vein.
- Microvelectomy: This is when doctors remove blood vessels through small skin incisions.
If you’re not sure which treatment is best for you, consider talking to your health care professional or dermatologist.
Spider veins do not cause complications, but some people want to remove them for aesthetic reasons. IPL treatment is one possible treatment that can reduce the appearance of spider veins.
IPL treatment is an effective spider vein treatment with little recovery time. However, it’s not for everyone. Before deciding which spider vein treatment is best for you, we recommend consulting with a medical professional.