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Spider Vein Common Questions and Answers

How are spider veins treated?
What is sclerotherapy?
Are treatments painful?
After treatment what are the restrictions and care recommendations?
What is involved for laser spider vein treatment?
Can lasers be used on face veins?
How safe are lasers?
What is the cost of treatments?
Will the veins come back or are treatments permanent?



How are spider veins treated?

Spider veins are treated depending upon the presence or absence of “feeder” veins. These are larger veins below the surface often not visible to the eye. The larger veins are closed with SCLEROTHERAPY injections of an FDA solution. This may be done in combination with LASER therapy which closes the finer surface veins and reduces the amount of solution needed.

What is sclerotherapy?

This involves injection of SOTRADECOL solution (FDA approved) into the spider veins. This causes a spasm and closes down the vein. Other solutions such as SALINE injections are also used in other centers but these are mostly painful and have higher incidence of complications.
Sclerotherapy can be used for surface spider veins, deeper “feeder” veins and, in some instances, in larger varicose veins. A series of treatments is needed (3 -5) to close down veins, spaced about 4-6 weeks apart. Mostly, sclerotherapy is not covered by insurance as it is considered cosmetic.

Are treatments painful?

Occasionally there will be a short period of itching which is usually gone by the end of the treatment. The needles used are extremely small and changed frequently which causes minimal discomfort if any. Numbing creams are not normally needed and come with their own complications. Most patients tolerate vein injections without any problems.

After treatment what are the restrictions and care recommendations?

You may resume normal activities after your vein treatments. Often there is a dressing over the treated areas to put pressure on the treated veins. You will be placed into medical grade compression stocking (not your “Grandmother’s” stockings) and these are worn approximately
2 – 4 weeks depending upon your particular vein problems. You will be given a lotion to apply to treated veins which speeds your healing. You may exercise normally.

What is involved for laser spider vein treatment?

Laser uses light energy to cause the veins to close down. This is very controlled and the setting adjusted to your skin color and size of veins. It is very effective on facial spider veins. The laser is like a large pen attached to the unit. The skin is pre-cooled and the laser has a built in cooling tip. This makes the procedure comfortable and effective. The sensation from the laser is like a short “ping with a rubber band”.

Laser vein treatment is used in combination with SCLEROTHERAPY when there are larger “feeder” veins below the surface. A series of treatments is needed and this varies from person to person. This procedure is not covered by insurance and it is considered cosmetic.

Can lasers be used on face veins?

Laser can be very effective on facial veins. Facial spider veins should never be injected. Eye protection must also be worn for all laser treatments with black out lenses used during facial treatments. Many times facial veins can disappear in one or two treatments. Residual redness for several hours to overnight can be present. There are no restrictions after laser treatments except to use a 30+ SPF UVA and UVB protection. In some patients, there may be diffuse redness remaining which can often be treated with IPL (Intense Pulsed Light – See other services offered section). Our staff is experienced in the use of many kinds of lasers and educated in safety and appropriate use.

How safe are lasers?

In the hands of experienced professionals, laser is very safe. We have ensured that all staff are trained in the use and precautions of operating lasers. Everyone in the room wears special eye protection. We start with the lowest safe setting to determine the response of your veins to the treatment.

What is the cost of treatments?

We do not differentiate between laser and sclerotherapy as they are often used together. Our treatment plans are customized to your particular vein problems. Because of this the fee structure varies from person to person. Also the time involved to treat vein successfully varies.
We offer complimentary consultations at which time we will offer and estimate and payment options.

Will the veins come back or are treatments permanent?

When treated appropriately (closing down “feeder” veins) spider vein should not return. Many people have a genetic predisposition to develop spider and varicose veins and therefore may develop veins in other areas. We offer “maintenance” programs for people to come and have new areas treated when first noticed. This eliminates the veins before they become larger and unsightly.

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