MODEL RELEASED. Image 3 of 3. Cosmetic laser surgery. Patient's cheek following cosmetic laser surgery to remove broken vessels below the skin. These veins are known as spider veins or sunburst varicosities. The laser was used to focus extreme light and heat energy on a very small area, while leaving the surrounding tissue intact. The cheek is redder than normal due to the operation but the number of visible veins is less than before, the cheeks redness will subside as the skin heals. For a sequence showing the cheek before the operation and during the operation see images M590/147 and M590//148.