Endovenous Laser Ablation of Supratrochlear Forehead Veins: 10-Year Experience
Charles Esteves Pereira, Vânia Maria de Pinho Tavares, Alexandre de Oliveira Esteves, André de Oliveira Esteves, Fernanda de Oliveira EstevesBACKGROUND
Prominent supratrochlear forehead veins can cause significant aesthetic discomfort in both women and men. Traditional treatments such as phlebectomy and sclerotherapy have technical limitations and potential risks, including bleeding, scarring, and visual complications. Laser-based techniques offer a minimally invasive and precise alternative.
OBJECTIVE
To present the authors' 10-year experience using endovenous laser ablation for supratrochlear forehead veins, emphasizing technical evolution, safety, and long-term outcomes.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Ninety-three patients underwent endovenous laser ablation of the supratrochlear forehead veins between 2014 and 2025. Fifteen were part of an initial series and 78 were subsequently treated after procedural refinements, including tailored fiber selection and meticulous tumescent infiltration. Data on demographics, procedural details, complications, and patient satisfaction were analyzed.
RESULTS
Excellent aesthetic outcomes were achieved in 90.3% of patients after a single session. Minor complications included transient ecchymosis and edema. Major complications, such as fibrous cord formation, cicatricial retraction, and skin burns, occurred infrequently and were effectively managed. Nearly all patients reported high satisfaction with the results.
CONCLUSION
Endovenous laser ablation of enlarged supratrochlear forehead veins is a safe, effective, and reproducible technique providing durable aesthetic improvement and minimal complications when performed with proper expertise.