Saying Goodbye to Spider Veins this Summer

woman's legs at the beachSpider veins can make you feel self-conscious and even cause physical discomfort. Don’t let your vein appearance hinder you from wearing and doing what you want this summer.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy involves the use of an injectable solution, which is given right in the vein. The solution in these injections causes scar tissue to form in the vein, blocking blood from flowing through it. Instead, blood goes to other veins that are in better condition. The treated vein eventually becomes absorbed into tissue in the surrounding area, causing the spider vein appearance to gradually disappear.

Benefits of Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy offers important benefits compared to other forms of treatment. This type of treatment is generally safer than surgical procedures for vein treatment. There are some mild side effects associated with sclerotherapy, such as bruising and redness, but are temporary. More serious side effects, such as inflammation and blood clots, are not as common. Sclerotherapy also has minimal downtime, so you’re able to get back to your day-to-day activities more quickly.

Good Candidates for Sclerotherapy

Patients who are considered good candidates for sclerotherapy are typically between 30-60 years old, not pregnant and have zero history of blood clots. Those who want to have sclerotherapy should also not be breastfeeding for at least 3 months prior to treatment.

Results of Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy results depend on the size of the veins that were treated. When you have smaller spider veins treated, you should see results within three to six weeks. When you have larger spider veins, you might need to wait three to four months to see noticeable results. Keep in mind that you may need multiple treatment sessions for optimal results.

Laser Treatment

Laser treatment for spider veins involves the use of a laser to destroy the targeted vein so that it fades. This generally happens with the use of a handheld device that emits laser energy. The laser does not harm the skin or tissue in the treated area. It also does not affect healthy veins that are nearby, only the targeted spider veins are affected.

Difference Between Sclerotherapy and Laser Treatment

Sclerotherapy involves the use of an injectable solution, while laser treatment involves the use of laser energy. Sclerotherapy is minimally invasive, since injections are administered into the vein. Laser treatment is a noninvasive form of treatment, since it does not involve injecting a needle into the skin or making incisions.

Laser Treatment Safety

Laser treatment should not cause any pain during treatment sessions. In most cases, local anesthetics are used to make the targeted area numb. Some patients feel mild tingling in the targeted areas when the laser is in use. Many of the devices that are used for laser treatment have a built-in cooling system that prevents the laser from becoming too hot, which lowers the risk of burns.

Results of Laser Treatment

After laser treatment, your skin might have a reddish appearance in the treated area. This usually goes away within a couple of days. Overall, you might need to have two to six treatments for optimal results. Treated spider veins typically fade within a few weeks after having treatment, but this depends on how many veins are being treated and how large they are.

For more information on spider vein treatment and best treatment options, contact Hollywood Dermatology and book an appointment today.

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