Prominent, visible veins are usually not a medical concern, but they can be frustrating and sometimes embarrassing. Sclerotherapy at our Atlanta plastic surgery center is a minimally invasive treatment that can reduce the appearance of unsightly veins.
What is sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a vein treatment that works when a mild sclerosing solution is injected into the veins with a fine needle. The solution causes the walls of the veins to stick together, collapse, and be reabsorbed into the body. Most patients report minimal to no discomfort during their treatments. Patients typically undergo 2 or more treatments to achieve optimal results.
Who are good candidates for the treatment?
Sclerotherapy is a treatment for men and women with varicose or spider veins. Spider veins are small clusters of blue, red, or purple veins that are close to the skin’s surface and most often appear on the legs and face. Varicose veins are larger than spider veins and are found on the legs. They are typically blue or purple and cause bulges. Though they are connected to the deep venous system, varicose veins are damaged veins and have no benefits. Candidates for treatment usually have several damaged veins.
During your initial consultation, we will determine whether you are a good fit for this treatment. We may recommend a laser vein treatment instead. Sclerotherapy is not appropriate for patients with a history of vein conditions such as deep-vein thrombosis or thrombophlebitis. Additionally, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, we will advise you to wait to schedule treatment.
What are the cosmetic benefits?
Benefits of treatment can include a reduction in the appearance of spider and varicose veins and improvement in overall skin tone. Many patients notice that their skin looks significantly clearer and smoother within a few weeks. However, it is important for patients to know that the treated area usually looks worse before it looks better. Actual results vary depending on individual factors like size and number of veins treated.
What are the functional benefits?
The procedure also can improve related symptoms to varicose and spider veins:
- Aching
- Swelling
- Burning
- Night cramps
Who performs the treatment at Buckhead?
Our vein specialist Dwayne Taylor, RN, is a member of the American College of Phlebology and has over 30 years of experience. Dwayne has trained numerous physicians from other vein centers in the area. Instead of just treating spider veins, he makes sure to find the root cause of the issue, called the “feeder vein,” using the Veinlite®, and effectively treats that first. This approach eliminates the need for expensive tests to determine if you have venous insufficiency. A typical session usually lasts between 15 and 45 minutes, depending on the extent of the treatment needed.
If you are unhappy with the appearance of spider or varicose veins, book now online or call our office at (404) 233-3937. We are here to help you regain your confidence.
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