Smaller Varicose Veins

At one time there was no alternative to surgery in the treatment of varicose and spider veins. However, since the 1920's, a non-surgical procedure called sclerotherapy has been used in Europe. Sclerotherapy involves injecting medication into a diseased, dilated vein to induce a reaction in the vein wall. Sclerosis, or hardening of the vein results, preventing blood from flowing through it. Blood is then re-routed through the healthy superficial and deep venous systems, and eventually the treated veins disappear.

While much has been written about lasers for the treatment of varicose and spider veins, sclerotherapy (vein injections) continues to remain the gold standard for smaller varicose leg veins. Proper sclerotherapy must be performed by an experienced health care provider for excellent results to be reliably obtained. Gently and accurately injecting the unwanted veins with a sclerosing solution causes the target vein to immediately shrink, and then dissolve over a period of weeks as the body naturally absorbs the treated vein. Because the sclerosant is injected directly into the vein, there is no damage to the surrounding skin as can be experienced during laser therapy. Unlike a laser, the sclerosing solution additionally closes the “feeder veins” under the skin that are causing the spider veins to form, thereby preventing a recurrence of the spider veins at the treated sight.

Commonly, pain from varicose veins may improve dramatically from one set of injections, frequently within 24-48 hours. While the aesthetic improvements take a few weeks to progress, the painful symptoms resolve much faster. Generally, a series of treatments are required to eliminate leg veins – a typical treatment regimen would include 3-5 30-minute sessions, each 2 weeks apart. A consultation with our physician will be required to provide an accurate assessment of your individual condition. At that time, you will be given an estimate of the number of sessions you will require.

Spider Veins

For Spider Vein Treatments: two types of treatments exist, and we perform both!

Spider veins, or telangiectasia, are those small red, blue and purple blood vessels that appear most frequently on the face and legs. Prior to treatment our doctors will review your medical history to determine the severity of the problem, to determine your skin type, and to decide if further testing is required before treatment is attempted.

1.) For extremely small and superficial spider veins, or for those that failed sclerotherapy, Cutaneous Laser Vein Therapy is an ideal choice of treatment. Now, using a new combined program involving laser and light technology, leg veins can be treated – simply, non-invasively and successfully. Today’s new medical lasers provide an effective non-surgical treatment option for the removal of spider and small varicose veins. Dr. Wright’s state-of-the art laser treatments allow her to deliver a precise dosage of energy to each vein. The light energy is absorbed by the blood vessels, but not the surrounding tissues. The temperature within the treated vessel will cause it to collapse and over time, you can watch the vessel disappear.

All laser treatments are performed by Dr. Wright, who will deliver a precise dosage of energy to each vein and will choose the right combination of treatment modalities and treatment sessions so that over a few treatments you will have your desired results.

This technology is extremely safe and effective in removing veins visible on the legs, as well as the face, neck and chest – just about anywhere! Because the light energy does not cut or burn the skin, no bandages are necessary and there is less risk of bruising compared to sclerotherapy. These treatments are becoming increasingly popular because there are very few side effects, and you can resume your regular activities immediately following treatment.

2) The gold standard of eliminating larger spider veins in the legs still continues to be Sclerotherapy, or injection therapy. As this is a medical procedure, it is important that an experienced practitioner, perform the sclerotherapy, to assure ideal results. The procedure involves injecting a sclerosing solution with a very fine needle directly into the blood vessel. The solution causes a reaction along the wall of the vein, causing it to swell and stick together. As a result the vein no longer fills with blood and will gradually fade over a period of weeks until it becomes barely visible. Depending on size, some veins require several injections for optimal results, but in any one treatment session numerous veins can be injected. By directly injuring the underlying leaking feeder veins, sclerotherapy effectively reduces the later appearance of new spider and varicose veins. Through meticulous attention to detail, Dr. Kakish who performs all procedures, is able to deliver the art and science of sclerotherapy and have his patients immediately back to work following their appointment with no significant limitations or downtime.