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Spider Veins and Laser : Is it an effective treatment?
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 Informative Article Summary by Anny Redperz
Many factors play a role in the development of spider and varicose veins--career, pregnancy, hormones and heredity. More than 20 percent of women have some form of spider or varicose veins and are four times more likely than men to have them.
Spider veins are formed by the dilation of a small group of blood vessels located close to the surface of the skin. They can appear anywhere on the body but are more commonly found on the face and legs. Typically, they will pose no health hazard but may produce a dull aching in the legs after prolonged standing. Varicose veins are abnormally swollen or enlarged blood vessels caused by a weakening in the vein's wall.
During vein therapy, we utilize the technology of the GentleLASE and Aurora systems. No injections are necessary. Energy is delivered and absorbed by the target vein, causing thermocoagulation of the blood vessel. The heated vessel walls collapse and adhere together. The bloodless vessel is subsequently absorbed by your body.
Spider veins, also called telangiectasias, are tiny visible vessels within the skin. They develop most commonly on the face and legs. Varicose veins are distended veins beneath the skin. They may appear as bluish bumps and often cause discomfort. Those with unsightly varicose veins and aching pain often choose to have surgery to remove their varicose veins. Because varicose veins are no longer functional, their presence is not missed. Ask your general surgeon about varicose vein treatment. If you have both varicose and spider veins, your varicose veins must be treated first. Treating spider veins first is generally futile because, in the presence of varicose veins, they are bound to return soon.
Treatment Choices for Spider Veins of the Legs
The two options for spider vein treatment are sclerotherapy and laser. They can be employed independently or in combination.
Sclerotherapy (spider vein injection)
Sclerotherapy involves injecting a liquid agent through a tiny needle directly into your spider veins, causing them to contract and collapse. Because this technique relies upon fitting a tiny needle into a tiny vein, it is best suited to medium and large spider veins. The procedure is performed in the office by a plastic surgeon or nurse and is relatively painless. Depending on the number of spider veins, the procedure may require five minutes to one hour. Afterward, you will wear ace bandages or compression hose for three to ten days as recommended by your plastic surgeon. You may resume sedentary activities immediately but should avoid exercise, hot baths, and alcohol for two to three days. You should anticipate 50% improvement in spider veins following each sclerotherapy session. Expect that two to six sclerotherapy sessions at one to two month intervals may be necessary to achieve your desired results. Understand that some spider veins may never be successfully treated through sclerotherapy.
Laser treatment of spider veins
During laser treatment, the laser is applied to the skin over your spider veins. Laser energy causes your spider veins to coagulate and shrink. Laser therapy is most effective for small and medium size spider veins. Large spider veins respond poorly and are best treated with sclerotherapy. Treatments are associated with mild discomfort, not unlike a small rubber band snapping against skin. Treatments usually do not require sedatives, pain medications, or injections of local anesthetic. Immediately following treatment, spider veins will be darker and more visible. Over two to six weeks, your spider veins usually fade. After each treatment, you will see a 70% to 80% improvement in the appearance of face spider veins and 30-40% improvement in leg spider veins. An average of three treatments will be required at three-month intervals. Combination therapy If you have small, medium, and large spider veins, you may benefit from both sclerotherapy and laser therapy. You may wish to start with sclerotherapy, because sometimes all veins will be improved after injecting the larger ones. This may reduce the number of veins that need to be treated by laser, and minimize your overall cost.
Spider Veins of the Face
Laser therapy of facial spider veins is the treatment of choice. Laser treatment may cause minor bruising which usually improves within a week, but often, recovery is immediate. Two to four treatments may be required to achieve your desired result. Immediately following treatment, you may apply makeup and will be presentable.
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