Laser therapy uses the heat of laser energy to scar and close off varicose veins. Traditional laser therapy is used on spider veins on the face and occasionally on the legs (veins 0.3 mm or less in diameter). Newer techniques using deeper-penetrating lasers have enabled effective closure of slightly larger leg veins (2 to 3 mm in diameter). ¹

A new method called endovenous laser is a technique in which a bare-tipped laser fiber is inserted directly through a catheter into the vein, guided by duplex ultrasound. This procedure is considered experimental at this time, and long-term results are unknown. This procedure appears to be promising for certain people and may be an alternative to stripping and ligation. ²