I’ll step aside and welcome Dr. Marco Bartolucci. Welcome back, dear Marco! I’d also like to welcome Judith—thank you for being here. Today, we’re discussing a topic of great interest to many women: unsightly spider veins that can appear on the face and other parts of the body. Marco, you’ve brought us an innovative machine, not brand new since we’ve already seen it in your clinic, but still very effective.
First, let’s understand why these veins appear and what they actually are. There are multiple causes: genetic predisposition, age, excess weight, lack of physical activity, and hormonal changes related to pregnancy. Pregnancy itself can contribute to the development of spider veins. Fortunately, there are methods to treat and prevent them. Today, we’ll explore one of these treatments using an advanced laser, which, unfortunately, is not easily transportable, but we’ll discuss it in detail.
Age over fifty is certainly a risk factor, as many older individuals find themselves with numerous spider veins. Before explaining how the device works, let’s answer a question from Loredana from Agrigento: “I have both large and small veins appearing on my legs. Are they spider veins or varicose veins?”
We’re talking about venous pathology and circulation. The main difference is that spider veins are more superficial and smaller, while varicose veins indicate a deeper venous insufficiency. Spider veins can appear not only on the legs but also on the face, nose, and other body parts. Varicose veins, on the other hand, are a clinical sign of an underlying pathology, with larger and deeper vessels.
Looking at Judith’s leg, we can observe the difference between spider veins and varicose veins. She experienced trauma in this area, causing the rupture of numerous capillaries, which can be effectively treated with laser therapy. This treatment is particularly suitable for superficial spider veins.
Now, let’s talk about the laser. How does this technology work? The device uses a filtering system to selectively target spider veins based on their color. In Judith’s case, her veins are bluish-purple, so a specific filter will be used to target only that chromophore. A gel is applied to the skin, and laser pulses are delivered following the path of the lesions. The laser selectively coagulates the veins without damaging the surrounding tissues or skin.
Is the treatment painful? Generally, it is well tolerated, especially with the use of anesthetic creams and built-in cooling systems that keep the temperature at a comfortable level…
