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About Us

Dr. Robert Cutchen Albuquerque & Santa Fe

Meet Dr. Robert Cutchen

In 2009, Dr. Cutchen founded Albuquerque Vein & Laser Institute, a clinic dedicated solely to the diagnosis and treatment of venous disease. His goal was to provide the most advanced diagnostic and treatment options all in the comfort of his office without the need for hospitalization. Our goal is to treat every patient the way we ourselves would hope to be treated.

Read Dr. Cutchen’s full bio here

Venous Conditions

Treatments & Diagnosis

Veins Albuquerque & Santa Fe

Let us help you diagnose and treat your venous conditions.

On this page, discover various venous concerns and their treatment options.
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Cosmetic Concerns

Face

Body

Facial Rejuvenation

Do you have any skin-related cosmetic concerns? We can help! Discover facial rejuvenation at Albuquerque Vein & Laser Institute.

Learn More

Vein Treatments Albuquerque & Santa Fe

Vein Treatments

We provide our patients with the most advanced and comprehensive vein treatments. See the difference between before and after.

Discover the B&A Gallery

Aesthetic Treatments Albuquerque & Santa Fe

Aesthetic Treatments

We utilize the power of advanced laser technology to treat a multitude of cosmetic concerns. See what a difference our treatments can make.

Discover the B&A Gallery

Patient Resources

Patient Resources Albuquerque & Santa FeDo you have a question?

Discover our FAQ pages to find your answers. If you still have a question, please call us at (505) 848-8346 and we will be happy to assist you.

FAQ

Get your questions answered here!
Select from a category below to see questions and answers. If you don’t see what you are looking for, fill out this form on this page or give us a call at 505-848-8346 and we will be happy to assist you!

Vericose and Spider Veins

Sclerotherapy

Vein Closure by Laser

Candidacy and Treatment

After Care

Q: What are varicose veins?

A: Varicose veins are superficial veins that have lost their ability to appropriately carry blood up and out of the leg and are allowing the blood to flow backward toward the feet. This is a result of broken valves inside the veins. Once a vein has become varicose it won’t go back to normal and must be treated. If left untreated, severe varicose veins can ultimately lead to chronic leg pain and swelling, eczema-type symptoms, skin thickening and discoloration, and even ulcerations that won’t heal until the veins are treated.

Q: What are spider veins?

A: Spider veins appear as red, blue or purple sunbursts on the skin surface, but most typically occur on the face, legs or ankles. A cosmetic concern, they are not a health risk alone, but can be symptomatic and cause itching, burning or aching, and can be found alone or in combination with varicose veins.

Q: What causes varicose and spider veins? 

A: Heredity is the number one factor causing varicose and spider veins. Women are more likely to suffer from varicose veins, especially because of pregnancy and hormonal factors. Pregnancy causes increases in hormone levels and blood volume, which in turn causes veins to enlarge. In addition, the enlarged uterus causes increased pressure on the veins. Varicose veins due to pregnancy may improve within several months after delivery but never go away. Other predisposing factors include occupations involving prolonged sitting or standing, obesity, trauma, and hormonal factors.

Q: What is the best treatment for varicose or spider veins? 

A: A variety of treatment options can be used that involve different procedures including endovenous laser therapy, endovenous chemical ablation, Ambulatory phlebectomy and cosmetic sclerotherapy. A personalized treatment plan will be recommended by Dr. Cutchen during your initial consultation.

Q: Is varicose vein treatment performed in the hospital?

A: Unlike the old-fashioned vein stripping procedures that required a hospital stay and weeks of recovery, today’s vein treatment is simple and efficient. We perform all vein treatment in the comfort and convenience of our beautiful Albuquerque vein center. We use only local anesthesia, so you’ll walk out of our office shortly after your procedure with no major downtime, incisions or scarring.

Q: What is an ambulatory phlebectomy?

A: The number of treatments to provide you with the results you want to achieve will be determined during your initial consultation session where a personalized treatment plan will be developed. For most large bulging veins, one treatment is all that is needed. Spider veins do require several treatments. The average person requires 3-5 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart in order to get resolution.

Q: What is injection sclerotherapy?

A: An FDA-approved solution called Sotradecol® is injected into the vein through a microneedle to induce an inflammatory reaction, which causes the vein to seal shut and gradually shrink away and disappear. Once the vein is sealed, blood is forced into healthier veins. Sotradecol® gives much better results and is far less painful than the traditional hypertonic saline injections.

Q: Will sclerotherapy hurt?

A: Most patients experience little or no pain, and any discomfort lasts only a second. Topical anesthesia or ice packs can be applied to pain-sensitive patients. While the amount of post-treatment pain varies from one patient to another, most require only Tylenol or ibuprofen for any discomfort.

Q: Why not just inject all the veins?

A: That method alone results in a higher chance of varicose veins returning. We do not use injection sclerotherapy for very large veins. We will offer the best treatment for each individual’s vein problem, which can sometimes require minor surgery to get the best long-term result.

Q: What is vein closure by laser?

A: This is an exciting new laser procedure that involves placing a thin laser filament into the vein through a needle puncture in the lower leg and uses laser energy to heat the vein from inside, causing it to close down. Closure by laser has a 98% rate of completely closing down the vein. The laser procedure can be performed on most patients whose varicose veins are due to an incompetent saphenous vein. Each patient will be evaluated by Dr. Cutchen to determine which treatment is best for them.

Q: Does this replace vein stripping?

A: The veins that we now close with laser are the same veins that were previously removed by vein stripping. The difference is that we can now do the procedure in the office, under local anesthetic, with much less postoperative pain and an immediate return to activity. Patients walk out of the office, and most are able to resume work the next day.

Q: Who are candidates for treatment?

A: Any individual who has unsightly spider or varicose veins is a candidate, and both large and small veins can be treated effectively. Best results with spider veins are seen in fair-skinned individuals. Tanning or prolonged sun exposure should be avoided both before and after treatment.

Q: How many treatments are required?

A: A variety of treatment options can be used that involve different procedures including endovenous laser therapy, endovenous chemical ablation, Ambulatory phlebectomy and cosmetic sclerotherapy. A personalized treatment plan will be recommended by Dr. Cutchen during your initial consultation.

Q: What causes varicose and spider veins? 

A: Heredity is the number one factor causing varicose and spider veins. Women are more likely to suffer from varicose veins, especially because of pregnancy and hormonal factors. Pregnancy causes increases in hormone levels and blood volume, which in turn causes veins to enlarge. In addition, the enlarged uterus causes increased pressure on the veins. Varicose veins due to pregnancy may improve within several months after delivery but never go away. Other predisposing factors include occupations involving prolonged sitting or standing, obesity, trauma, and hormonal factors.

Q: What is the best treatment for varicose or spider veins? 

A: A variety of treatment options can be used that involve different procedures including endovenous laser therapy, endovenous chemical ablation, Ambulatory phlebectomy and cosmetic sclerotherapy. A personalized treatment plan will be recommended by Dr. Cutchen during your initial consultation.

Q: Will insurance cover my procedure?

A: Spider veins are considered cosmetic and, therefore, not covered by insurance. However, Varicose Veins are usually caused by a more significant problem in the leg, so treatment is typically covered by most insurance companies. If you are unsure, visit us for a free vein screening, where we’ll evaluate your legs and guide you step-by-step through the process.

Q: What is an ambulatory phlebectomy?

A: The number of treatments to provide you with the results you want to achieve will be determined during your initial consultation session where a personalized treatment plan will be developed. For most large bulging veins, one treatment is all that is needed. Spider veins do require several treatments. The average person requires 3-5 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart in order to get resolution.

Q: But don’t I NEED those veins?! What if I need bypass surgery later?

A: If the veins were functioning normally, then yes! But since the veins are dilated and not working properly, they are doing more harm than good. Heart doctors do not use varicose veins for bypass surgery for this very reason!

Q: What about post-procedural care?

A: Spider vein patients resume all normal activities immediately with no downtime. The majority of patients treated for varicose veins walk out of the office and return to normal daily activities, including work, within two days. While the amount of post-treatment pain varies from one patient to another, most require only Tylenol or ibuprofen for any discomfort. Complete recovery, including resolution of bruising, takes from 4-6 weeks. Detailed written and verbal instructions will be provided to each patient both before and after treatment.

Q: What about side effects?

A: Most treatments have minimal side effects and recovery time. Patients often experience slight redness or bruising following treatment, but this goes away within a few days.

Get your questions answered here!
Select from a category below to see questions and answers. If you don’t see what you are looking for, fill out this form on this page or give us a call at 505-848-8346 and we will be happy to assist you!

Vericose and Spider Veins

Sclerotherapy

Vein Closure by Laser

Candidacy and Treatment

After Care

A: Varicose veins are superficial veins that have lost their ability to appropriately carry blood up and out of the leg and are allowing the blood to flow backward toward the feet. This is a result of broken valves inside the veins. Once a vein has become varicose it won’t go back to normal and must be treated. If left untreated, severe varicose veins can ultimately lead to chronic leg pain and swelling, eczema-type symptoms, skin thickening and discoloration, and even ulcerations that won’t heal until the veins are treated.

A: Spider veins appear as red, blue or purple sunbursts on the skin surface, but most typically occur on the face, legs or ankles. A cosmetic concern, they are not a health risk alone, but can be symptomatic and cause itching, burning or aching, and can be found alone or in combination with varicose veins.

A: Heredity is the number one factor causing varicose and spider veins. Women are more likely to suffer from varicose veins, especially because of pregnancy and hormonal factors. Pregnancy causes increases in hormone levels and blood volume, which in turn causes veins to enlarge. In addition, the enlarged uterus causes increased pressure on the veins. Varicose veins due to pregnancy may improve within several months after delivery but never go away. Other predisposing factors include occupations involving prolonged sitting or standing, obesity, trauma, and hormonal factors.

A: A variety of treatment options can be used that involve different procedures including endovenous laser therapy, endovenous chemical ablation, Ambulatory phlebectomy and cosmetic sclerotherapy. A personalized treatment plan will be recommended by Dr. Cutchen during your initial consultation.

A: Unlike the old-fashioned vein stripping procedures that required a hospital stay and weeks of recovery, today’s vein treatment is simple and efficient. We perform all vein treatment in the comfort and convenience of our beautiful Albuquerque vein center. We use only local anesthesia, so you’ll walk out of our office shortly after your procedure with no major downtime, incisions or scarring.

A: The number of treatments to provide you with the results you want to achieve will be determined during your initial consultation session where a personalized treatment plan will be developed. For most large bulging veins, one treatment is all that is needed. Spider veins do require several treatments. The average person requires 3-5 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart in order to get resolution.

A: An FDA-approved solution called Sotradecol® is injected into the vein through a microneedle to induce an inflammatory reaction, which causes the vein to seal shut and gradually shrink away and disappear. Once the vein is sealed, blood is forced into healthier veins. Sotradecol® gives much better results and is far less painful than the traditional hypertonic saline injections.

A: Most patients experience little or no pain, and any discomfort lasts only a second. Topical anesthesia or ice packs can be applied to pain-sensitive patients. While the amount of post-treatment pain varies from one patient to another, most require only Tylenol or ibuprofen for any discomfort.

A: That method alone results in a higher chance of varicose veins returning. We do not use injection sclerotherapy for very large veins. We will offer the best treatment for each individual’s vein problem, which can sometimes require minor surgery to get the best long-term result.

A: This is an exciting new laser procedure that involves placing a thin laser filament into the vein through a needle puncture in the lower leg and uses laser energy to heat the vein from inside, causing it to close down. Closure by laser has a 98% rate of completely closing down the vein. The laser procedure can be performed on most patients whose varicose veins are due to an incompetent saphenous vein. Each patient will be evaluated by Dr. Cutchen to determine which treatment is best for them.

A: The veins that we now close with laser are the same veins that were previously removed by vein stripping. The difference is that we can now do the procedure in the office, under local anesthetic, with much less postoperative pain and an immediate return to activity. Patients walk out of the office, and most are able to resume work the next day.

A: Any individual who has unsightly spider or varicose veins is a candidate, and both large and small veins can be treated effectively. Best results with spider veins are seen in fair-skinned individuals. Tanning or prolonged sun exposure should be avoided both before and after treatment.

A: A variety of treatment options can be used that involve different procedures including endovenous laser therapy, endovenous chemical ablation, Ambulatory phlebectomy and cosmetic sclerotherapy. A personalized treatment plan will be recommended by Dr. Cutchen during your initial consultation.

A: Heredity is the number one factor causing varicose and spider veins. Women are more likely to suffer from varicose veins, especially because of pregnancy and hormonal factors. Pregnancy causes increases in hormone levels and blood volume, which in turn causes veins to enlarge. In addition, the enlarged uterus causes increased pressure on the veins. Varicose veins due to pregnancy may improve within several months after delivery but never go away. Other predisposing factors include occupations involving prolonged sitting or standing, obesity, trauma, and hormonal factors.

A: A variety of treatment options can be used that involve different procedures including endovenous laser therapy, endovenous chemical ablation, Ambulatory phlebectomy and cosmetic sclerotherapy. A personalized treatment plan will be recommended by Dr. Cutchen during your initial consultation.

A: Spider veins are considered cosmetic and, therefore, not covered by insurance. However, Varicose Veins are usually caused by a more significant problem in the leg, so treatment is typically covered by most insurance companies. If you are unsure, visit us for a free vein screening, where we’ll evaluate your legs and guide you step-by-step through the process.

A: The number of treatments to provide you with the results you want to achieve will be determined during your initial consultation session where a personalized treatment plan will be developed. For most large bulging veins, one treatment is all that is needed. Spider veins do require several treatments. The average person requires 3-5 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart in order to get resolution.

A: If the veins were functioning normally, then yes! But since the veins are dilated and not working properly, they are doing more harm than good. Heart doctors do not use varicose veins for bypass surgery for this very reason!

A: Spider vein patients resume all normal activities immediately with no downtime. The majority of patients treated for varicose veins walk out of the office and return to normal daily activities, including work, within two days. While the amount of post-treatment pain varies from one patient to another, most require only Tylenol or ibuprofen for any discomfort. Complete recovery, including resolution of bruising, takes from 4-6 weeks. Detailed written and verbal instructions will be provided to each patient both before and after treatment.

A: Most treatments have minimal side effects and recovery time. Patients often experience slight redness or bruising following treatment, but this goes away within a few days.

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Mask Group Albuquerque & Santa Fe

We address venous and aesthetic skin concerns to ensure that you always look and feel your best

Fill out the form below to schedule a free consultation and evaluation of your individual concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions

At Albuquerque Vein & Laser Institute, patients benefit from Dr. Robert Cutchen’s expertise in vein treatment but can also take advantage of our aesthetic treatments. No other facility in the area can provide this level of care in two different specialties. Visit us, and you’ll discover the convenience of so many options under one roof.

Dr. Robert Cutchen, MD, RVS, RVT, RPVI, an expert in his field and the most trusted vein specialist in New Mexico, is an Albuquerque native and a double board-certified physician focusing his career on the diagnosis and management of venous disease. His skilled and experienced team includes:

  • Marilyn, Office Manager
  • Nikki, Ultrasound Technician
  • Savannah, Medical Assistant
  • Brenda, Receptionist

Located in beautiful Albuquerque, NM, we serve the greater Albuquerque/Rio Rancho and Santa Fe metro areas, but patients travel from across New Mexico and even from out of state to see Dr. Robert Cutchen. We are in elite company as one of just a handful of facilities to receive Vein Center accreditation by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC), demonstrating our level of excellence and experience. Only the top providers in the country achieve this level of accreditation.

We treat vein conditions including:

We also treat aesthetic conditions including:

Our treatment options for venous disorders include:

Our aesthetic treatments include:

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WE HAVE THE ANSWERS YOU NEED

Varicose Veins

While varicose veins are very common, affecting approximately 25-30% of the U.S. population, many men and women are unaware that they can be successfully treated with the latest minimally invasive technologies.

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REQUEST A FREE VEIN SCREENING
WE HAVE THE ANSWERS YOU NEED

Spider Veins

Pesky and unattractive, spider veins are truly cosmetic in nature, they appear as thread-like (1mm or less) red, blue or purplish veins and are commonly found on calves, thighs, and ankles, and sometimes occur in clusters.

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WHAT OUR PATIENTS SAY

Testimonials

-Erick W.
"My experience at the Institute can be summed up in one word: exceptional! Everyone I met was professional yet very personable, and quite obviously well-versed in their various skills, and clear in their communications with me. I was also completely at ease with their COVID-safe practices. And best of all, the final outcome was and has remained better than anticipated! Yes, I would whole-heartedly recommend the Albuquerque Vein & Laser Institute!."
-Robin Bostick
“I’m so happy to be wearing shorts again! I am a walking billboard for Dr. Cutchen and his vein treatment! His office was so wonderful – very modern and nice with good vibes and zen! The treatment was so simple, and the recovery was very easy.”
-Beverly R.
"I had the pleasure of being treated by Dr. Cutchen. I called for an appointment and was able to schedule same day treatment. I was running late due to issues at the medical equipment store, but nevertheless Dr. Cutchen and his staff were willing to see me. Treatment was painless."
-Mia M.
"Dr. is great--explains his recommendations and spends time face-to-face. He and his staff are helpful, professional and personable."
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5110 Masthead St. NE, Suite C,
Albuquerque, NM 87109

Phone: 505-848-8346 | FAX: 505-848-8345

Office Hours:
Monday – Thursday, 8am to 5pm
Friday 8am – Noon

Accessibility: If you are vision-impaired or have some other impairment covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to using this website, please contact our Accessibility Manager at 505-848-8346

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Venous Conditions

Varicose Veins
Spider Veins
Spider Veins Vs. Varicose Veins
Facial & Nose Veins
Venous Stasis Ulcers
Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
Lymphedema
Superficial Venous Thrombosis
Pregnancy & Varicose Veins

Cosmetic Concerns

Unwanted Hair
Acne Scars
Fine Lines & Wrinkles
Sagging Skin
Stretch Marks
Unwanted Fat
Cellulite

Treatment & Diagnosis

Endovenous Laser Ablation
Endovenous Chemical Ablation
Ambulatory Phlebectomy
Sclerotherapy
Conservative Vein Therapy

Aesthetics

Skin Tightening
Opus™ Plasma Skin Resurfacing
Non-Ablative Skin Resurfacing
Photofacial with IPL
Botox®
Dermal Fillers
Obagi® Skincare
Body Contouring
Cellulite Treatment
Skin Tightening
Laser Hair Removal

REQUEST A FREE CONSULTATION
(505) 848-8346