A laser is a highly concentrated beam of light. A doctor can use a laser to treat varicose veins. The heat from the laser damages a vein, causing scar tissue to form. This scar tissue closes the vein. A closed vein loses its blood supply and dies. After a year or two, the vein is likely to disappear.

External laser treatment. External laser vein treatment is done on the outside of the skin. It can treat spider veins and tiny varicose veins that are just below the surface of the skin. Generally more than one laser session is needed. They are scheduled at 6- to 12-week intervals, as directed by your doctor. (If you have poor circulation of blood running through these tiny veins, the larger vein that "feeds" them must first be treated with surgery, intravenous laser or radiofrequency treatment, or sclerotherapy.)