What are the main causes of varicose veins and spider veins?

Varicose veins and spider veins develop when valves in the veins become weakened or damaged, causing blood to pool. Common causes include genetics (family history), aging, pregnancy, prolonged standing or sitting, obesity, and hormonal changes. Women are more susceptible due to hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, menopause, or from birth control use.

How do I know if I need treatment for my varicose veins?

You should consider treatment if you experience symptoms such as leg pain, aching, heaviness, swelling, cramping, restless legs, skin discoloration, or itching around the veins. Even without symptoms, large or bulging varicose veins may benefit from treatment to prevent complications. A consultation with Dr. Figueroa at VeinCentre can determine if treatment is right for you.

What is sclerotherapy and how does it work?

Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment where a specialized solution is injected directly into spider veins or small varicose veins. This solution irritates the vein walls, causing them to collapse and seal shut. Blood is then rerouted through healthier veins, and the treated vein is gradually absorbed by the body over several weeks. It's highly effective with a 90%+ success rate.

Are varicose vein treatments covered by OHIP?

Yes, consultations at VeinCentre are OHIP-covered. Treatment coverage depends on medical necessity. If your varicose veins cause symptoms like pain, swelling, or skin changes, treatments like radiofrequency ablation or VenaSeal may be covered by OHIP. Cosmetic treatments for spider veins are typically not covered. Dr. Figueroa will assess your condition and discuss coverage options during your consultation.

How long does a typical vein treatment appointment take?

Treatment duration varies by procedure type. Sclerotherapy typically takes 30-45 minutes, VenaSeal Glue Ablation takes 30-45 minutes, and Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) takes 45-60 minutes. These are outpatient procedures performed in our Toronto or Richmond Hill clinics, allowing you to return home the same day.

Is vein treatment painful?

Modern vein treatments are minimally invasive and well-tolerated. Local anesthesia is used to numb the treatment area, so you'll feel minimal discomfort during the procedure. Most patients describe feeling only slight pressure or mild sensations. Sclerotherapy involves small needle injections that feel like tiny pinches. Post-treatment discomfort is typically mild and manageable with over-the-counter pain relief.

What is the recovery time after vein treatment?

Recovery is quick with modern vein treatments. Sclerotherapy and VenaSeal allow immediate return to normal activities with no compression stockings required after VenaSeal. Radiofrequency Ablation typically requires 1-2 days before returning to work and wearing compression stockings for 1-2 weeks. Walking is encouraged immediately after all procedures to promote healing. Most patients resume regular activities within days.

Can varicose veins come back after treatment?

Treated veins do not reopen once successfully closed. However, new varicose veins can develop in other areas over time due to ongoing genetic factors, aging, or lifestyle conditions. The recurrence rate is low with modern treatments—RFA and VenaSeal have 95%+ success rates. Maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, and wearing compression stockings when needed can help prevent new vein problems.

How many treatment sessions will I need?

The number of sessions depends on the severity and extent of your vein condition. Many patients see significant improvement after just one treatment session. Spider veins may require 2-3 sclerotherapy sessions spaced several weeks apart for optimal results. Larger varicose veins treated with RFA or VenaSeal typically require only one session per vein. Dr. Figueroa will create a personalized treatment plan during your consultation.

What should I expect during my first consultation?

During your OHIP-covered consultation at VeinCentre, Dr. Figueroa will review your medical history, examine your legs, and may perform an ultrasound to assess vein health and blood flow. You'll discuss your symptoms, treatment goals, and concerns. Dr. Figueroa will explain which treatment options are best suited for your condition—whether sclerotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, or VenaSeal—and answer all your questions about the procedure, recovery, and expected results.

How Does VBeam Laser Treatment Work for Rosacea and Visible Veins in North York?

Apr 14, 2025

8 min read

Updated: Oct 23

Persistent redness, flushing, and small visible veins on the face can affect how comfortable you feel in your own skin. These concerns are common, and they are often the reason people start looking into laser treatment. One option is the VBeam, a pulsed dye laser (PDL) designed to treat vascular concerns in the skin.

This guide, prepared by the team at VeinCentre, explains how VBeam works, which concerns it is commonly used for, what a session can feel like, who may need to avoid it, and how to get started. VBeam is available at VeinCentre North York. It is general information, and only an assessment can tell you whether VBeam is a good fit for your skin.

What Is the VBeam Laser?

VBeam is a medical laser that uses a burst of yellow light that is absorbed by the blood in tiny surface vessels. The light is converted into heat, which causes those vessels to close. Over the following weeks, the body gradually clears them away. Because the light is aimed at blood vessels, it is used for redness and visible veins close to the surface of the skin.

VBeam also includes a cooling spray that is applied to the skin just before each pulse. This helps protect the skin surface and makes the treatment more comfortable for many people.

How Is It Different From Other Treatments?

Other lasers and light devices exist, and some are used for different purposes, such as skin resurfacing or deeper veins. VBeam is designed for superficial vascular concerns, which is why it is commonly considered for facial redness and fine visible vessels. Your clinician can explain whether VBeam or another approach makes more sense for you.

How Does VBeam Work?

VBeam works through selective targeting. The yellow light it produces is absorbed by hemoglobin, the pigment in blood, much more than by the surrounding skin. When the light reaches a tiny surface vessel, the energy turns into heat inside that vessel. The heat causes the vessel wall to close, and over the following weeks the body treats it like any other tissue that is no longer needed and gradually clears it away.

Two features help keep the treatment focused on the vessels. The pulses are very short, so the heat stays in the target instead of spreading widely into nearby skin. The cooling spray before each pulse also protects the skin surface. Together, these are what make the laser suitable for delicate areas such as the face, although your clinician will still choose the settings that fit your skin.

Why Does Redness Fade Gradually?

The treated vessels do not disappear the moment the pulse is delivered. Your body clears them over time, which is why results build up gradually after each session. This is also why clinicians usually judge results once the skin has healed, and not right after treatment.

What Are the Potential Benefits of VBeam?

Patients and clinicians often point to a few advantages of this type of treatment:

No incisions: VBeam is a non-surgical treatment. It does not involve cuts or stitches.
Targeted approach: The light is aimed at blood vessels, not at the whole skin surface.
Built-in comfort measures: The cooling spray helps make each pulse more comfortable for many people.
A short appointment: Sessions are generally brief, and many people go back to their routine soon afterward.
Gradual, natural-looking change: Redness and visible vessels fade over weeks, not overnight.
Confidence: For many people, calmer-looking skin makes them feel more at ease without makeup.

Benefits and results vary from person to person, so it is best to talk through your own goals at a consultation.

What Concerns Can VBeam Be Used For?

VBeam is used for several vascular skin concerns. Whether it is suitable for you depends on your skin, your history, and what an assessment shows. Common concerns include:

Facial redness linked to rosacea: Persistent redness and small visible vessels on the cheeks and nose.
Small facial veins: Fine spider veins around the nose and cheeks.
Red marks left after acne: Some people are left with red or purplish marks after blemishes heal.
Redness on the neck and chest: Sun-related redness and visible vessels in these areas.

Some vascular birthmarks are also treated with this type of laser, but these should be assessed individually by a specialist.

Can VBeam Cure Rosacea?

No. Rosacea is a long-term condition, and VBeam does not cure it. It can help reduce the redness and visible vessels that come with it, but flare-ups can return, and some people choose follow-up sessions to manage them. If you have not been diagnosed, it is a good idea to see a doctor first, because redness can have other causes.

How Does a VBeam Session Work?

Before Your Treatment

You will start with a consultation, where your clinician reviews your skin, your medical history, and your goals. Tell the team about any medication you take, recent sun exposure or tanning, skin conditions, and any history of scarring or bleeding problems. You will also be told how to prepare, which often includes protecting your skin from the sun and avoiding certain skin products beforehand.

During the Session

You will wear protective eyewear. The clinician passes the laser over the treated area in short pulses, each one preceded by the cooling spray. Many people describe the feeling as a quick snap or a flick on the skin, though comfort varies from person to person. The length of the session depends on the area being treated.

After the Session

It is common for the skin to look red or feel warm, similar to a mild sunburn, and some people see swelling or bruising. Your clinician will give you aftercare instructions, which usually include protecting your skin from the sun, being gentle with the area, and avoiding heat and harsh products for a while. Follow the instructions you are given, since they may differ depending on the area and your skin.

What Aftercare Helps the Skin Heal?

Your clinician will give you instructions that fit your skin and the area treated. In general, aftercare often includes:

Sun protection: Use a broad spectrum sunscreen as directed and keep the treated skin out of direct sun.
Gentle skin care: Use mild products and avoid scrubbing or rubbing the area.
Avoiding heat for a while: Very hot showers, saunas, and heavy exercise may be put on hold for a short time.
Leaving the skin alone: Do not pick at any crusting or peeling, and call the clinic if something looks different from what you were told to expect.
Following your follow-up plan: If more sessions are planned, keep your appointments so your clinician can check how your skin is responding.

How Many Sessions Will I Need?

It depends on what is being treated and how your skin responds. Some people need only a few sessions, and others need more or follow-up sessions over time. Your clinician will explain what to expect for your situation at your consultation. Results vary, and treated vessels fade gradually over the weeks after each session.

What Results Can You Realistically Expect?

Results depend on the concern being treated, how deep and how large the vessels are, your skin, and how your body responds. Many people notice that redness looks calmer and fine vessels look less visible as the skin heals. Some concerns respond more fully than others, and some vessels may need further sessions.

For rosacea, it helps to think about long-term management. VBeam can reduce the redness and the small vessels, but rosacea can flare again, and triggers such as sun, heat, and certain foods or drinks may play a part. Your doctor can help you build a plan that covers triggers and skin care in addition to treatment.

How Do You Prepare for the Best Experience?

Protect your skin from the sun before your session, and tell your clinician if you have recently been tanned or sunburned.
Bring a list of your medication and skincare products, including anything you apply to the area.
Arrive with clean skin if you are asked to, and ask whether to avoid certain products beforehand.
Write down your questions and goals, so that the consultation covers what matters most to you.

Who Should Be Careful With VBeam?

VBeam is not right for everyone. Tell your clinician if any of these apply to you, since they may affect whether treatment is suitable or when it should be done:

Recent sun exposure, a tan, or a sunburn on the area
Pregnancy
Medication that makes your skin more sensitive to light, or medication that affects bleeding
A bleeding or clotting disorder
An active infection, open sore, or skin condition in the area
A history of unusual scarring

Possible side effects include redness, swelling, bruising, and temporary changes in skin color. Serious problems are not common, but they can happen with any procedure. Your clinician will go over the risks that apply to you before treatment.

What About Visible Veins on the Legs?

VBeam is mainly considered for the face, neck, and chest. Spider veins and varicose veins on the legs are a different matter, because the veins involved are often deeper and may be linked to problems with the larger veins underneath. At VeinCentre, a Duplex ultrasound can show what is happening inside the leg veins, and options such as sclerotherapy may be discussed after your assessment.

Where Can You Get VBeam Treatment in North York?

VBeam is offered at VeinCentre North York. To ask about VBeam, check whether it is suitable for you, or book a consultation, call (289) 809-1333. A VBeam session is $400. VBeam is a cosmetic treatment, so it is not covered by OHIP.

Frequently Asked Questions About VBeam

How much does VBeam cost, and is it covered by OHIP?

A VBeam session is $400. Because VBeam is a cosmetic treatment, it is not covered by OHIP. The number of sessions you may need is explained at your consultation.

Does VBeam hurt?

Most people describe a quick snap or a brief warm sensation. The cooling spray helps, and comfort varies from person to person.

How soon will I see results?

Treated vessels fade gradually over the weeks after a session, and the final result is easier to judge once the skin has healed. Your clinician will tell you when to expect changes.

Is there downtime?

Many people return to their usual routine soon after, but redness, swelling, or bruising can show for a while. Ask your clinician what to expect for the area being treated.

Can I wear makeup afterward?

Your clinician will tell you when it is fine to apply makeup, which depends on how your skin looks and feels after the session.

Can I have VBeam in the summer?

It can be possible, but sun protection before and after treatment is important. Ask your clinician about timing for your skin.

Is VBeam safe?

VBeam is widely used for vascular skin concerns, and many people tolerate it well. Like any procedure, it has possible side effects, such as redness, swelling, bruising, and temporary changes in skin color. Your clinician will review your history and explain the risks that apply to you.

What should I avoid before treatment?

Your clinician will give you specific instructions. In general, you will be asked to avoid sun exposure and tanning beforehand and to tell the team about any medication or skin products you use.

What should I avoid after treatment?

Avoid direct sun, very hot water, heavy exercise, and harsh skin products for as long as your clinician advises, and do not pick at the treated skin.

Can VBeam be used on any skin tone?

Skin tone and type affect how treatment is planned, because they influence how the skin reacts to light. Your clinician will assess your skin and choose settings that suit you, or tell you if another approach would be better.

Do I need a referral?

No. You can book directly by calling (289) 809-1333.

Is VBeam Right for You?

If redness, flushing, or small visible veins on your face are bothering you, VBeam may be one of the options worth discussing. It is not suitable for everyone, and it works best when it is part of a plan that fits your skin and your goals. A consultation at VeinCentre North York is the way to find out whether it is a good match for you and what to expect.

Take the Next Step

If you are dealing with redness or small visible veins and want to know whether VBeam is a good fit, a consultation is the best place to start.

Book your assessment: Call (289) 809-1333. No referral required.

Location: VeinCentre North York, Ontario

Medical Director: Dr. Luis Figueroa, Vascular Surgeon (FRCSC)

Disclaimer: The information in this guide is for education only and does not replace personal medical advice. Results vary from person to person. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional about your skin.