Spider and Varicose Veins
Various techniques such as electrosurgery,
microinjection, or mini-laser will fade the red or purple blood vessels and smaller capillaries on the face. All are available in our office.
Spider Veins
Leg Spider veins, known medically as
telangiectasia, are dilated skin capillaries. While they may be red (arterial
capillaries) or blue (venous capillaries), most people have both types.
The microinjection technique (sclerotherapy) consists of instilling a solution
into these tiny capillaries using very small needles. This irritates the
inner lining of the capillaries so they cease to carry blood, and the body
slowly replaces them with scar tissue without harming the circulation.
Several injections may be needed for a specific area of telangiectasia.
The rare pure venous type is more difficult to abolish. Some brown freckling
or streaking may appear after injection which gradually fades, but a small
amount may be permanent. The goal is to produce about 75% to 80% improvement.
Pain during injection is reported by patients as very slight. Fading of spider
veins is a slow process and maximum improvement may require months. Generally,
injections with salt or sugar solutions produce superior and quicker results
than the laser for leg veins. Blue veins on the face my respond better to
laser treatment.
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins can occur when blood
flows in the wrong direction due to problems with the valves (which normally
keep the blood moving up towards the heart) or from vein wall stretching.
Heredity, hormones, or thigh/leg injury can cause these abnormalities. Leg fatigue,
aching, cramping, burning, or pain can occur. The size of the veins
does not correlate with the problem severity.
Precautions
You should probably not have this procedure
if you have a history of phlebitis (vein clots or infections), easy infections,
heparin or aspirin allergy, scarring after treatment, easy bruising, bleeding
or clotting disorders, PREGNANCY, or are taking high dose hormones.
Results
Results of the treatment cannot be guaranteed,
but most patients are very pleased with the cosmetic improvement. Approximately
10% of patients who undergo sclerotherapy have poor results, meaning the
veins have not significantly improved after 6 treatments.