If you've started noticing fine red or purple lines fanning across your nose, cheeks, or legs, you're looking at spider veins — and you're not alone in wanting them gone. They're one of the most common reasons people ask us about laser treatment in Markham.
The good news: these small vascular lesions respond well to modern laser treatment. In this guide I'll explain what spider veins are, how our laser approach works, how it differs from sclerotherapy, how many sessions to expect, and — honestly — what laser treatment can and can't do.
What Are Spider Veins?
Spider veins, known medically as telangiectasia, are fine, web-like networks of dilated capillaries sitting just beneath the surface of the skin. They show up as thin red, blue, or purple lines, most often on the nose, cheeks, and legs, and become visible thanks to a mix of sun exposure, aging skin, hormonal changes, genetics, and prolonged standing or sitting.
For most people, spider veins are a cosmetic concern rather than a medical one. One important distinction, though: spider veins are not the same as varicose veins — the larger, bulging, ropey veins that can ache or signal underlying venous insufficiency. Laser spider vein removal is a cosmetic procedure; if you have true varicose veins, those should be assessed by a vein clinic or physician first.
Spider Vein Treatment Options: Laser vs. Sclerotherapy
What is sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a long-established treatment where a clinician injects a solution directly into the vein, irritating its lining so the vessel collapses and is gradually reabsorbed. It's frequently used for larger leg veins in dermatology and vein clinics. It's effective — but it involves needles, and it isn't the approach we offer.
Laser vein removal — our approach
At Beauty And Wellness Med Spa, we treat spider veins and other vascular lesions with the Elite IQ Nd:YAG laser — a needle-free, non-invasive option. Its 1064nm wavelength is absorbed by hemoglobin inside the unwanted vessel, heating the walls until they collapse and seal shut. Over the following weeks the body reabsorbs the treated vessel and the overlying skin clears.
Facial and leg veins: our Nd:YAG laser is an effective, needle-free option for both facial and leg vessels. At your consultation we'll assess your veins and recommend the best approach for you.
Because of its low melanin absorption and deeper penetration, the 1064nm Nd:YAG is generally considered the preferred vascular laser for darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick IV–VI) when appropriate settings are used. Beyond spider veins, the same laser addresses the visible redness and dilated vessels associated with rosacea, as well as broken capillaries and cherry angiomas — the full technical breakdown is on our vascular lesion treatment page.
What to Expect Before & After Treatment
What does the patient do before treatment?
Preparation is simple. Avoid blood thinners, aspirin, and alcohol for about 48 hours beforehand, since these can increase the chance of minor bruising. Skip self-tanner and significant sun exposure in the treatment area, and arrive with clean skin free of heavy makeup. Everything starts with a consultation where we examine the type, size, and depth of your vessels and confirm you're a good candidate.
What does the patient do after treatment?
Downtime is minimal — most people return to normal activities right away. You may have mild redness and slight swelling for a day or two, and treated vessels can look a little darker before they fade. Skip hot showers, saunas, and intense exercise for about 48 hours, and apply a broad-spectrum SPF daily. Maximum improvement typically appears over 4–6 weeks as the vessels are reabsorbed.
How Many Sessions Will You Need?
This depends on the vessels themselves. As a general guide, fine facial spider veins and broken capillaries often clear in 1–3 sessions, cherry angiomas frequently respond in 1–2, and leg spider veins — which tend to be deeper — may take 2–4 sessions, usually spaced 4–6 weeks apart.
An honest note on results: outcomes vary from person to person, and more than one session is usually needed. Once a vessel is collapsed it won't return, but new spider veins can form over time due to genetics, hormones, sun, and aging — so occasional maintenance is sometimes worthwhile. A consultation gives you a realistic, personalized estimate.
Why Choose a Laser Clinic in Markham?
We're inside World on Yonge at 7191 Yonge St Unit 701-A, right at Yonge & Steeles on the Markham–Thornhill border, with free underground parking and open Monday to Saturday, 10–7. Every vascular treatment begins with a free, no-pressure consultation. For current pricing, the most reliable place to look is our vascular treatment page, since final cost depends on the treatment area and the number of vessels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are spider veins?
Spider veins (telangiectasia) are fine, web-like networks of dilated capillaries visible just under the skin's surface. They commonly appear on the nose, cheeks, and legs as thin red, blue, or purple lines. They are usually a cosmetic concern rather than a medical one — though larger, bulging, ropey varicose veins are a separate issue that should be assessed by a vein clinic or physician.
Is laser spider vein removal the same as sclerotherapy?
No. Sclerotherapy injects a solution directly into the vein to make it collapse and is often used for larger leg veins. Laser treatment is needle-free: the Elite IQ Nd:YAG laser delivers light that is absorbed by hemoglobin, heating and collapsing the vessel from the outside. At Beauty And Wellness Med Spa we use the laser approach, which is well suited to fine facial spider veins, broken capillaries, rosacea redness, and cherry angiomas.
How many sessions will I need to remove spider veins?
It varies by the size, depth, and location of the vessels. Fine facial spider veins often clear in 1–3 sessions spaced about 4–6 weeks apart, while leg spider veins may need 2–4 sessions. Your plan is mapped out at your free consultation, and results vary from person to person.
What are the side effects of laser vein treatment?
Side effects are usually mild and short-lived: temporary redness, a little swelling, and occasionally minor bruising for 1–3 days. Treated vessels may look slightly darker before they fade. Most people return to normal activities right away. As with any laser treatment, strict sun protection afterward is important, and a consultation screens for any reasons to wait.
Will the treated veins come back?
Once a vessel is successfully collapsed by the laser, that specific vein does not regenerate. However, new spider veins can develop over time due to genetics, hormonal changes, sun exposure, and aging, so occasional maintenance sessions may be helpful.
Is Laser Vein Removal the Right Next Step?
If your main concern is fine spider veins, broken capillaries, rosacea redness, or cherry angiomas, the Elite IQ Nd:YAG laser is a direct, needle-free option worth exploring. If you're also tackling uneven tone or sun damage, you might find our look at PicoSure vs. Q-Switched lasers a useful read on how different laser technologies are matched to different concerns. And if you have larger varicose veins, the best first step is a physician or vein clinic — we'll always tell you honestly if laser isn't the right fit.