Important: Laser and IPL treatments are highly effective for spider veins, telangiectasias, broken capillaries, and fine vascular matting. However, larger, bulging varicose veins — the kind that are raised above the skin surface and may cause aching or heaviness — are beyond the scope of these treatments and require a vascular or vein specialist. At your consultation, your provider will assess your vessels and refer you if surgical or sclerotherapy intervention is more appropriate for your concern.
Treatment Options
Each device targets vascular concerns differently — one for precision vessel treatment, one for diffuse area redness. Your provider will recommend the right option or combination at your consultation.
1064nm Nd:YAG · Precision Vascular · Leg & Face
The most precise non-invasive vascular treatment available — targeting individual spider veins and broken capillaries on both the face and legs with the 1064nm Nd:YAG wavelength. Comfortable, effective, and safe for all skin tones.
The 1064nm Nd:YAG wavelength is highly absorbed by oxyhemoglobin — the pigment in red blood cells. When the laser energy is delivered to a visible vessel, it's absorbed by the blood within, rapidly heating the vessel wall to the point where it coagulates and collapses. The vessel seals shut, blood flow redirects to healthy deeper vessels, and over the following 1–4 weeks the body's lymphatic system naturally reabsorbs and clears the treated vessel.
The surrounding skin is not significantly affected because 1064nm energy bypasses melanin — making it safe for all skin tones and minimizing surface disruption during treatment.
The Motus AZ+ uses Moveo in-motion technology with a cooled sapphire contact tip that glides directly on the skin rather than firing pulses through the air. This eliminates the sharp snapping sensation associated with traditional Nd:YAG vascular treatments, which are known for being uncomfortable.
Most patients describe the Motus AZ+ as a warm, prickling sensation — noticeable but not painful. Leg vein treatment may produce slightly more sensation than facial treatment due to the size of vessels being targeted, but the cooling tip makes a significant difference in comfort compared to older laser systems.
This is one of the most important things to know before your appointment. Immediately after treatment, treated vessels typically appear darker or grayish — this is the hemoglobin coagulating inside the collapsed vessel, which is exactly the intended response. The area may also look slightly red or feel warm.
Within 7 days, smaller vessels fade significantly. Larger vessels lighten more gradually over 2–4 weeks as the body clears them. Do not be alarmed by the initial darkening — it's a reliable sign the treatment worked. Avoid picking, rubbing, or pressing the treated area during the clearance period.
Most patients complete a series of 2–3 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart, allowing each round of vessels to fully clear before the next treatment. Clinical data shows that after a series of three sessions, many patients see up to 90% clearance of treated spider veins.
The number of sessions depends on the size, depth, and extent of the vessels being treated. Isolated vessels on the face may clear faster than extensive leg vein networks. Your provider will set realistic expectations at your consultation based on your specific presentation.
Yes — and this is an important expectation to set. The treated vessels are permanently destroyed and will not return. However, because the underlying tendency to form spider veins is often genetic or lifestyle-related, new vessels can develop over time in the same area or elsewhere.
Patients with a strong predisposition to spider veins often choose to do maintenance treatments once a year or as new vessels appear. Sun protection, compression garments for leg veins, and avoiding prolonged standing can help slow the development of new vessels between treatments.
Yes — this is one of the 1064nm wavelength's most significant clinical advantages. Because 1064nm energy targets hemoglobin rather than melanin, it does not compete with skin pigment for absorption. This makes it the safest laser wavelength for vascular treatment across all Fitzpatrick skin types, including types V and VI where other vascular laser wavelengths carry significantly higher risk.
The Motus AZ+ Moveo technology adds an additional layer of safety through its gradual energy delivery and integrated cooling — making it the most accessible vascular laser treatment option for patients with darker skin tones.
Intense Pulsed Light · Diffuse Vascular · Face
For patients with diffuse facial redness, vascular matting, or a generalized blush-like tone rather than discrete vessel lines — Limelight IPL treats the full face in a single session, targeting the network of tiny vessels responsible for overall redness.
The Motus AZ+ excels at targeting individual, visible vessels with precision — discrete spider veins, broken capillaries, and defined vein patterns on the face or legs. Limelight IPL is the better choice when the concern is diffuse — a generalized blush, overall facial redness, vascular matting (a fine web of tiny vessels creating overall redness rather than distinct lines), or the kind of flushing associated with rosacea.
IPL treats the entire face in a single pass, addressing hundreds of tiny vessels simultaneously across a broad area. For patients whose vascular concern is more about overall skin tone than individual veins, this broad-field approach is more efficient and effective than targeting vessels one by one.
Yes — and this is one of IPL's most valuable qualities. Limelight IPL simultaneously targets both oxyhemoglobin (the target in red vascular lesions) and melanin (the target in brown spots and sun damage) in a single treatment session. Patients with both redness and brown spots — a very common combination after years of sun exposure — can address both concerns in one appointment.
This dual action makes Limelight IPL one of the most efficient overall skin quality treatments available for lighter skin types, and is one of the reasons it's also featured on our Hyperpigmentation and Rosacea pages.
Recovery is minimal. Immediately after treatment, the face will appear flushed and feel warm — similar to a moderate sunburn — which typically resolves within a few hours. Some patients notice mild swelling around treated areas, particularly if blood vessels were actively targeted.
Any brown spots being treated simultaneously will darken over 5–7 days before naturally flaking off. Overall redness from vascular treatment begins to visibly reduce within 1–2 weeks as the treated vessels are cleared. Most patients return to normal activities the same day. Strict sun protection is essential in the weeks following treatment.
For vascular treatment, Limelight IPL is best suited to Fitzpatrick skin types I–III. The broad spectrum of IPL light targets both hemoglobin and melanin, meaning it is less selective in darker skin tones where the higher melanin content can compete for energy absorption — increasing the risk of surface pigment changes or burns.
Patients with medium to darker skin tones seeking vascular treatment are better served by the Motus AZ+ 1064nm, which bypasses melanin entirely. Your provider will assess your Fitzpatrick type at consultation and recommend the appropriate device for your skin tone.
The Treatment Journey
Day of Treatment
Treated vessels appear darker or grayish (Motus AZ+) or the face looks flushed and feels warm (IPL). The area may feel tender. This is expected and confirms the treatment worked. Keep the area cool and avoid touching it.
Days 1–3
Redness and warmth subside. Treated vessels remain visible and may still look dark. Avoid heat, strenuous exercise, direct sun exposure, and any active skincare ingredients. Gentle SPF is your most important product right now.
Week 1–2
Smaller vessels start disappearing visibly within 7 days. IPL-treated overall redness begins to clear. Larger leg veins lighten more gradually. Do not pick at any darkened areas — allow natural clearance to occur.
Weeks 2–4
Larger and deeper vessels reach their full clearance at around 2–4 weeks post-treatment. This is the point at which your provider will assess results and determine whether a follow-up session is needed. Results continue to improve across a series.
Which Treatment is Right for You?
Nd:YAG · Face & Legs · All Skin Tones
Broadband Light · Face Only · Fitzpatrick I–III
Aftercare
UV exposure aggravates vascular conditions and can drive new vessel formation. A broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily is essential — before and after treatment.
Hot showers, saunas, steam rooms, hot yoga, and intense exercise can aggravate treated areas. Keep things cool for the first 48 hours post-treatment.
Treated vessels will darken temporarily before clearing. Do not rub, pick, or press the area — allow the natural clearance process to occur undisturbed.
After leg vein treatment, wearing compression stockings for 24–48 hours post-session supports vessel clearance and reduces the risk of new vessel formation from prolonged standing.
Book a consultation at Laser Vantage — we'll assess your vessels, identify the right treatment, and walk you through exactly what to expect.
Book a ConsultationIndividual results may vary. Treated vessels are permanently destroyed but new vessels may develop over time. Large varicose veins are not treatable with laser or IPL and require specialist referral. A consultation is required prior to all vascular treatments.