Sclerotherapy & Laser Therapy in Alpharetta, GA
Do you avoid shorts and skirts that show off your legs? Vein treatment studies show that spider veins are hereditary, but they can also be caused by hormonal shifts, occupations or activities that require prolonged sitting or standing, pregnancy or weight fluctuation.
Sclerotherapy is used to treat spider veins, which are dilated or stretched blood vessels that have a branching pattern. Spider veins are usually found on the thigh, lower leg or the face. Sclerotherapy is also used to treat varicose veins. Varicose veins are larger veins that usually appear raised with a bluish color and can be quite painful.
Sclerotherapy Procedure
Sclerotherapy is effective for medium-sized blood vessels (greater than three millimeters in diameter). The treatment involves injecting a sclerosing solution into the affected veins with a micro-needle.
The sclerosing solution irritates the lining of the vein, causing it to swell shut and block the flow of blood. The vein will then scar and collapse, forcing blood to reroute through healthier veins. The collapsed vein is reabsorbed into local tissue and eventually fades.
Sclerotherapy is the gold standard of treatments for eliminating large spider veins. This treatment has many advantages over more invasive forms of treatment.
Laser Vein Treatment
Lasers are typically used to treat small to medium-sized blood vessels (one to three millimeters in diameter) that usually occur in the face or the ankles.
In this method, an intense beam of light is directed at the spider vein, which obliterates it through the skin. More than one laser session may be needed to obtain the desired results. Sometimes, laser therapy is used in combination with sclerotherapy.
There may be some skin reddening, bruising, and blistering, but these side effects subside over several weeks to several months.
There is little downtime; however, you will need to protect the area(s) treated from sun exposure.
strong>Sclerotherapy and Varicose Veins Treatment Recovery
strong>Spider vein and varicose vein treatments require minimal recovery.
Sclerotherapy and vein treatment have a high success rate, and yield high patient satisfaction as well as an improvement in quality of life. Complications in the procedures are rare and risk exposure is minimal.
After the procedure, it is recommended that clients wear compression stockings for three weeks to compress the veins and minimize treatment complications.
There’s very little downtime: you will be able to resume work right away. Dr. Graivier recommends avoiding strenuous exercise and direct sunlight for two weeks after the procedure.
Treated veins generally do not come back, but new veins may appear.
If you’re interested in seeking treatment for spider veins and getting sclerotherapy treatment, contact our office today or call 770-772-0695 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Graivier is a highly skilled surgeon with over 20 years of experience.
When to Consider Sclerotherapy
- If you have visible veins on your legs or thighs that have a branching or weblike pattern
- If you have a pattern of branching veins on your face that you try to conceal
- If you feel that your spider veins are a sign of aging that you would like to eliminate
