What are Varicose and Spider Veins?
Enlarged veins and small capillaries on the legs are a very common cosmetic problem, affecting about 50% of people aged 50 and over. Varicose veins are large, raised, swollen blood vessels that twist and turn. They usually develop in the legs and can be seen through the skin. Spider veins are smaller, red, purple, and blue vessels that are easily visible through the skin. They usually occur on the legs and face. Varicose and spider veins are more common in women, and often arise during or after pregnancy. They are also more common in people who spend a lot of time standing, such as teachers, hairdressers and shop assistants.
Condition: Leg Veins
Treatments: Leg Vein Treatment
Condition: Leg Veins
Treatments: Leg Vein Treatment
What is the best treatment for leg veins?
The treatment of visible leg vessels is dependent on an assessment of the extent and size of vessels involved. In many cases, significant varicose veins require surgery to the larger vessels, or more invasive therapies such as ultrasound guided injection or ambulatory sclerectomy to achieve good results. We do not treat larger varicose veins at our Floreat clinic.
Smaller varicose veins and spider veins can usually be very effectively treated with sclerotherapy and laser therapy.
Treatments for Leg Veins
Sclerotherapy injections
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy involves a series of tiny injections of a solution designed to irritate and then close off the offending vessels. The veins turn white whilst the solution is being injected and then appear red and swollen several minutes after as the solution irritates the vessel wall. This is repeated until all the troublesome veins have been injected. Best results are obtained by 2-4 treatments.
Sclerotherapy results in a gradual improvement in the appearance of visible vessels over a period of 6 – 8Â weeks after treatment.Â
Sclerotherapy Safety
Sclerotherapy is contraindicated in people with a history of blood clotting disorders. A family history of these should also be investigated with blood tests. We encourage wearing of compression stockings after treatment for a period of 3 – 7 days, and twice daily walks for 30 minutes. Sclerotherapy should not be performed within 10 days of flying.
Not all people respond to sclerotherapy though, and veins can occasionally recur.
Vascular laser (YAG laser)
Laser Vein Treatment
Laser treatment is a valuable addition to sclerotherapy, particularly for treating very small veins or veins that are resistant to sclerotherapy. Pulses of light (laser) energy are directed along the length of the vessel, larger veins first. The light energy cause the blood within the vein to coagulate, destroying the vessels, which are then absorbed by your body. You may feel a mild burning sensation with each pulse, which passes quickly. You may experience some redness and swelling of the treated area, which should disappear within a few days.
Our doctors recommend that sclerotherapy be used first, as it tends to work better and the results last longer than laser therapy. Laser treatment may be used after sclerotherapy to treat any vessels too small to inject. Most patients are very satisfied after sclerotherapy and laser treatment. It is important to remember, however, that this treatment will not prevent the occurrence of new spider veins.
