Endovenous Laser Therapy - Varicose & Spider Vein Treatment
Vanishing Veins®
What Are Varicose Veins?
Healthy veins return blood to the heart so it can be re-oxygenated. One-way valves within the veins ensure that the blood flows in one direction, towards the heart. When valves fail or leak, the blood flows backwards, causing blood to pool in the veins. The increased pressure from the pooling stretches the vein, causing enlarged, twisted blood vessels. The resulting bumpy, rope like veins are varicose veins.
It normally takes years for symptoms of varicose veins to develop. While varicose veins are commonly inherited, anyone can get them. Hormonal changes brought on by puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, can trigger the onset of varicose veins.
Varicose veins can cause swelling in the legs and feet, create a sense of fatigue in leg muscles, and cause leg throbbing or cramping. Often, the skin surrounding the varicose veins frequently itches and burns.
Left untreated, varicose veins can lead to swelling, increased pain, skin discoloration, and ulcerations of the lower legs. These ulcerations are difficult to treat and can become easily infected and painful. Many of these symptoms and complications can be prevented by early treatment of varicose veins.
More information about the treatment of varicose veins.
Symptoms
Pain in the legs is frequently related to varicose veins. Symptoms are often made worse by standing and sitting for periods of time. Symptoms include swelling, leg fatigue, aching, burning, cramping and restlessness of the legs. Severe varicose veins can compromise the nutrition of the skin and lead to eczema, inflammation or even ulceration of the lower leg.
Diagnosis
Vein disorders are not always visible; therefore, modern diagnostic techniques are important tools in determining the cause and severity of the problem. Depending on the results of your screening examination, your doctor may recommend additional tests such as diagnostic ultrasound to identify where and how badly your veins are damaged. The ultrasound examination is designed to evaluate the blood flow through your veins in your legs, localizing the problem areas.
Treatment
The actual procedure to remove varicose veins is commonly referred to as Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT). This procedure normally takes less than an hour and only requires local anesthesia.
By delivering just the right wavelength of laser energy to just the right tissue, the incompetent veins (varicose veins) will close. Your body automatically routes the blood to other healthy veins.
While you might feel some unfamiliar sensation, the procedure for most people produces only a mild degree of pain or discomfort.
Before & After Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Exactly how does a laser treat varicose veins?
Your veins carry blood from the capillaries to the heart. In your leg, this means the blood has to flow upward, against gravity. Consequently, these veins have one-way valves to prevent the blood from back flowing. Over time these valves can fail to close tightly, allowing blood to pool and causing the bulging and twisting characteristic of varicose veins.
Endo Venous Laser Therapy, EVLT, fixes this problem at the source by delivering just the right wavelength of laser energy to just the right tissue, causing the incompetent vein to close. Your body automatically routes the blood to other healthy veins.
How is a laser procedure different from surgery?
Surgery involves considerable preparation, general anesthesia, the risk of infection, pain in the affected areas, and a lengthy recovery period. The medical laser technology used in EVLT eliminates all of that.
It’s “minimally invasive.” The entry point through which your physician gets the laser fiber to the target area is extremely small, not even requiring stitches.
There is really no “recovery” to speak of. In fact, you’ll be up and walking as soon as it’s over, able to return to normal activity quickly.
The risk of infection is extremely low.
I’ve heard about lasers being used in medicine but I’m not sure how they work. Are they safe?
Simply put, a laser is a highly concentrated beam of light. Medical lasers work by delivering this light energy to the targeted tissue with extreme precision so as not to affect the surrounding tissue. They’ve proven their safety and effectiveness through years of use in all kinds of medical procedures, from ophthalmology to dermatology. In the hands of a skilled physician, lasers offer far less risk and complications than conventional surgery.
What is the actual procedure like?
It takes about 45 minutes and requires just local anesthesia. Your physician then inserts a thin laser fiber into the vein through a sheath; the laser light is emitted through the fiber. While you might feel some unfamiliar sensation, it is not painful. And it's all done in an outpatient setting like your physician's office or a one-day surgery center.
How long after the procedure will I see the results?
There may be some slight swelling right after the procedure, but you could start seeing results immediately.
How long will the results last?
You should experience no reoccurrence in the veins that have been treated. Follow-up procedures may be desired to obtain optimal aesthetic results.
Will my insurance cover the treatment?
Check your policy and call your insurance provider to find out what their exact coverage will be.
What Are Spider Veins?
Spider veins are small, thin dilated veins that lie close to the surface of the skin. Although spider veins do not pose health risks, they can cause significant discomfort, particularly in the legs after prolonged standing.
The primary factors contributing to the development of spider veins, include heredity, pregnancy, hormones, weight gain, and prolonged standing or sitting. Spider veins typically occur more frequently in women.
More information about the treatment for spider veins.
Symptoms
The most common vein problem is the spider vein. These broken capillaries, properly named telangiectasias, or spider veins, are small red, blue or purple web-like veins (less than 2mm in diameter, flat or raised) on the surface of the skin. While not harmful, spider veins are generally felt to be unsightly and cause some people to be self-conscious.
Treatment
Most spider veins are treated with a technique called sclerotherapy. A very fine needle is used to inject a solution (sclerosant) directly into the veins. This solution causes the lining of the veins to swell and eventually seal off the blood vessel, preventing blood flow. Each vein may require more than one injection. Some results may be seen immediately; some results may take weeks or even months.
Sclerotherapy
Spider veins and small varicose veins can be treated with sclerotherapy. In this office procedure, a tiny needle injects a special chemical medication to seal off damaged veins, detouring the blood to other veins nearby. In response, the veins collapse and are reabsorbed by the body, making the surface veins no longer visible. Sclerotherapy relieves symptoms due to varicose veins and spider veins in most patients. You may need anywhere from one to several sclerotherapy sessions for any veins region depending upon the type and number of veins being treated.
Before & After Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
What are spider veins?
Spider veins are small red, blue or purple veins that commonly appear on the surface of the thighs, calves and ankles.
What causes spider veins?
The causes of spider veins are unclear; however, certain factors contribute to the development of spider veins, including heredity, pregnancy, hormonal factors, weight gain, and occupations or activities that require prolonged sitting or standing.
What is sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a very popular method of eliminating spider veins in which a solution, called a sclerosing agent is injected into the veins. This causes an irritation to the inner lining of the vein, resulting in closure of the vein.
Is sclerotherapy painful?
A small gauge needle is used to perform the sclerotherapy injections. Most patients relate the discomfort to an ant bite.
What happens after the spider vein treatment?
Recovery periods may differ from treatment to treatment. Following sclerotherapy support stockings are worn on each treated leg. Exercise is an important part of the healing process. A 20 minute walk or bike ride twice a day is best for the healing process.
How long will the results last?
You should experience no reoccurrence in the veins that have been treated. Follow-up procedures may be desired to obtain optimal aesthetic results.
Will my insurance cover the treatment?
Check your policy and call your insurance provider to find out what their exact coverage will be.
