Warm weather calls for shorts and flip flops, but visible veins can keep you from enjoying all that our nice weather has to offer. The blue and red networks of veins tend to be most common on the legs, but they can also appear on your face, chest, hands and feet. Not only can these unsightly veins affect your self-image, but they can be extremely painful for both men and women.
Prior to modern technology, the only way to eliminate veins was with a surgical, lengthy procedure called vein stripping. Thankfully, today there are a handful of non-invasive treatments to minimize the appearance and discomfort of your spider and varicose veins.
What is Sclerotherapy?
Traditionally, sclerotherapy was only used to treat spider veins, but this procedure now works on larger varicose veins as well. This treatment works by delivering a sclerosing medication to your vein through a tiny needle. The solution then attacks the lining of your vein, causing it to seal closed and eventually break down and be absorbed by the body.
Sclerotherapy generally takes about 30 minutes to complete and most patients are able to return to their everyday activities immediately following treatment. You may experience some slight bruising, itching or discomfort though, but these side effects should subside within a few days. It is suggested that you limit your strenuous activities, as well as any extreme sun exposure and hot baths, since these can disrupt your body’s healing process.
Most people require three to five sessions per treatment area, but this will depend on their individual goals.
What is Laser Vein Removal?
Both men and women alike are turning to laser vein removal as a way to eliminate their unsightly facial and leg veins. Laser vein removal requires no painful incisions or surgery, and instead uses a laser to safely and effectively treat both superficial veins and deep veins. The Cutera laser system works by delivering pulses of light energy to your veins, effectively destroying the treated vessel and allowing it to be absorbed by the body over time.
At Dermacare Laser & Skin Care Clinics, we offer laser vein removal to patients of all different skin types and tones—including dark, light or tanned skin. We don’t require a local anesthesia to be used, but some patients may prefer to have a topical anesthetic to help with the slight stinging sensation that is produced by the pulses of energy.
Many of our patients find that they only need one or two sessions to dramatically improve their appearance, but this will depend on the number, color and size of the veins needing treatment. Results typically show up within two to six weeks following treatment, but it may take up to a few months to notice significant improvements.
Don’t let embarrassing spider veins keep you from living a life you enjoy. Set up a consultation with Dr. Birchall today to find out if a laser vein removal treatment is right for you. Call Dermacare Laser & Skin Care Clinics at 858-943- 2443 (Rancho Bernardo) or 760-472-5088 (Carlsbad).