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Sclerotherapy Treatment in San Antonio
better known as Spider Vein Removal or Spider Vein Correction
Spider Veins on Legs and Face
Unsightly leg and facial spider veins – those small,
unsightly clusters of red or purple veins that usually
appear on the thighs, calves, ankles and occasionally
the face, can be a problem for millions of men and women
the world over. The problem affects a wide range of age
groups, skin types and lifestyles. While they may not be
medical emergencies, most would rather be rid of these
unattractive distractions to their natural beauty.
Spider veins are small, thin superficial capillaries that lie
close to the surface of the skin. They can look like tree
branches or a spider web with their short jagged lines.
They are connected to the larger venous system though
they are not an essential part of it as they do not actually
carry blood to the heart. Spider veins can be found on both
the legs and the face and can cover both very small and
very large areas of skin.
Spider veins form when excess blood backs up in the blood stream. The excess blood creates pressure. The body releases the pressure by creating new veins on the skin's surface. The primary problem with spider veins is their unsightly appearance, but they can also cause aching, swelling, burning.
No one knows exactly the cause of spider veins, but several factors including heredity are believed to cause a person to be more likely to develop them. Oral contraceptives, hormone changes and therapy, sun exposure and the natural aging process also may contribute to their development. Spider veins may also be related to rosacea, and other trauma to the skin or may be heredity.
Light and laser technology offer excellent results in reducing spider veins and facial redness.
There are two options for eliminating spider veins and flushing of the face
Laser Treatment
Lasers are an excellent modality for spot treating larger facial veins.
Our laser delivers precise dosages of energy to each vein, with minimal risk to
surrounding the skin. During treatment, light energy is delivered through a special
hand piece directly to the targeted vein. This energy is absorbed, causing thermal
coagulation of the blood vessel. Over a short period of time the vessel is then
absorbed by the body. One treatment is sometimes sufficient, but multiple treatments
may be necessary.
Intense Pulsed Light Therapy
Also known as IPL or Photo Facial, this treatment offers
superior results when treating a whole network of tiny facial veins and the associated
flushed look of the skin. There is usually no downtime with this procedure, and it
typically requires 4 to 6 treatments. People with mild to severe rosacea really
appreciate the outcome, noting an 80 to 90% overall reduction in facial redness.
Most experience little if any discomfort at the treatment site. The sensation and the degree of discomfort varies with each person. When pulses of light are delivered some patients feel a mild pinching or stinging sensation. Similar to the light snap of a rubber band. No local anesthesia or pain medication is typically required, however some patients may prefer to use a topical anesthetic when sensitive areas are treated.
Typically, 3 to 6 treatments offer the best results; Depending on severity, clients usually notice significant improvement within one to two treatments. Potential for maximum long-term resolutions increases after another 1 – 2 sessions.
Once a vein or vessel has been destroyed, it will not return. However the treatment is not able to stop the development of more veins in the future. Patients who have had laser or IPL could certainly see new facial veins over time, especially those who continue on with unprotected sun exposure. Sunscreen is recommended for everyone, and it can be preventative for people prone to facial veins.
Sclerotherapy
Millions of women are bothered by varicose and spider veins - those small yet unsightly clusters of red, blue or purple veins that most commonly appear on the thighs, calves and ankles. Although not a major health risk, varicose and spider veins can be a source of discomfort and embarrassment.
Sclerotherapy is the injection of a solution into a vein using very fine needles. These FDA approved solutions cause the veins to collapse and fade from view. The body will then replace the vessel with imperceptible scar tissue.
Although this procedure has been used in Europe for more than 50 years, it has only become popular in the United States during the past decade. The introduction of sclerosing agents that are mild enough to be used in small veins has made sclerotherapy predictable and relatively painless.
A typical sclerotherapy session is relatively quick, lasting only about 15 to 45 minutes. The clinician will inject the sclerosing agent into the affected veins with maximum precision. Approximately one injection is administered for every inch of spider vein - anywhere from five to 40 injections per treatment session. A cotton ball and compression tape is applied to each area of the leg as it is finished.
It's not uncommon to experience some cramping in the legs for the first day or two after the injections. This temporary problem usually doesn't require medication. Support hose will be required for up to 5 days but normal activities can be resumed. The treated veins will look worse before they begin to look better. Bruising and reddish areas at the injection sites will be visible but they will diminish within one month.
After each sclerotherapy session, the veins will appear lighter. The number of treatments required varies based on the severity of the problem. Most require 3 to 5 treatments scheduled 3 to 4 weeks apart in order achieve optimal results.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advisable to postpone sclerotherapy treatment. In many cases, veins that surface during pregnancy will disappear on their own within three months after the baby is born. Furthermore, because the affect of sclerosing solutions on breast milk is unknown, nursing mothers are advised to wait until they have stopped breast feeding.
Patients with circulatory problems, heart conditions, or diabetes are advised against treatment.
Sclerotherapy will eliminate the noticeable treated veins for good, but it does not prevent new spider veins from emerging in the future. As time passes, “touch-ups” or full treatments may be required for new veins that surface.
