Leg Veins- Laser Treatment and Sclerotherapy

Laser treatment is most effective for small (uncooked spaghetti-size or smaller), superficial red or purple veins, especially those that are clustered or matted together.

What happens during the Laser procedure?
A topical anesthetic may be used, but the patient is generally not sedated. Individual laser pulses are administered along the length of the vein, causing an immediate effect known as "blanching". Skin cooling may be used before, after, and during laser treatment of leg veins. The GentleYAG laser has a self-cooling device and will cool the skin during treatment.

Is the procedure painful?
Discomfort during laser treatment of leg veins is minimal, and is often described as similar to the sensation of a rubber band snapping against the skin many times.

What happens after the procedure?

• Following a laser treatment of leg veins, the treated area may appear slightly swollen and red, and some superficial blistering or crusting may occur if the treated vein was very close to the skin's surface.
• Patients with smaller red veins are often asked to keep their legs elevated as much as possible for 24 hours following laser treatment of leg veins.
• Compression stockings are generally not considered necessary because the types of veins treated with this process are usually very small.

How many Laser treatments will I need?
Laser treatment of leg veins may occur in several stages to achieve the optimal effect. Treatments are usually spaced about three months apart, as it may take several weeks or months to see the full effects of a laser treatment of leg veins.

For patients who have struggled with the unsightly appearance of small veins in their legs, laser treatment of leg veins can provide a quick, permanent, and relatively painless solution.

Sclerotherapy

How does sclerotherapy eliminate the veins? Sclerotherapy is one proven method of treating unwanted leg veins. It involves the injection of a solution (dextrose & sodium chloride) into the dilated veins which causes them to scar and close off. This results is complete or partial disappearance of the vein’s color.

What happens during the sclerotherapy procedure? A very fine needle is used to inject the solution into the veins. The needle feels like a small mosquito bite, and 15-30 seconds of mild discomfort or burning at the site of injection may be experienced. Some patients experience a muscle cramp that lasts for a few minutes. The injected veins initially disappear completely as the blood is pushed out by the solution. When the blood flow returns the veins reappear, temporarily.

What are the possible side effects?

• Bruising & Swelling: At the site of the needle entry and along the vein, swelling and bruising may occur. The swelling will resolve within 24 hours, and the bruising will fade within several weeks.
• Tenderness: Tenderness may occur at the injection site and along the vein. This may persist for approximately 1-2 weeks.
• Hives & Itching: Immediately following the injection, a hive-like reaction with itching may develop at the site. This usually subsides in 30 minutes.
• Ulceration: A small ulcer may develop at the injection site which will crust and usually heals within 1-2 weeks.
• Pigmentation Changes: Spider veins may leak during the treatment process leaving linear brown streaks or small brown spots which resolve within 6 months.
• Cramping: Following injection of the veins around the ankle, cramping may occur. Rising up and down on the toes and massage will alleviate the discomfort.
• “Vein Mats”: A network of very small veins may develop near the injection site during the course of treatment. The veins either clear up spontaneously or after repeated treatments.

What should I do following my treatment?
Pressure bandages will be applied and must remain on the legs for 24 hours. The bandages can then be removed and your normal routine can be followed. There is no restriction in activities following sclerotherapy.

How quickly will the veins disappear?
The fading occurs over the first month, but it may take as long as 2-3 months for some veins to completely fade. In most cases, the larger, conspicuous veins will either be lighter and smaller, or possibly invisible. Many smaller veins will disappear completely, but every single vein will not disappear.

How many sclerotherapy treatments will I need?
This depends on the number of veins you have, how many veins are destroyed during the initial tretment, and how quickly they disappear. However, the average is about two to six treatment sessions to obtain a satisfactory cosmetic result.

How often can I have sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy may be performed approximately every 4-6 weeks. Re-treatment of the same area is only done if veins have not faded significantly.

Is there any reason I should not have sclerotherapy?
People with a history of phlebitis in the legs, diabetes, arterial or other vascular problems, or previous leg ulcers cannot receive sclerotherapy treatment.

Will sclerotherapy prevent new veins from occurring?
Sclerotherapy does not prevent new veins from appearing. It only treats veins that have been injected.