Spider Vein Treatment
Spider and varicose veins occur as a result of damaged blood vessels in the legs. Tiny, one-way valves in the veins weaken causing these veins. The valves push blood in healthy veins all the way back to the hearts. In case of veins with weakened valves, some blood doesn’t get pushed to the heart. It flows backwards and begins accumulating in the veins.
Excess blood puts pressure on the vein walls which causes the walls to bulge. In time, you notice the appearance of spider and varicose veins in the legs. Texas Surgical Dermatology, led by board certified dermatologist Dr. Tri H. Nguyen, provides treatments for the removal of damaged blood vessels on the legs to patients in Houston, Katy, Spring, The Woodlands, Texas, and surrounding communities.
Sclerotherapy
This is among the most common treatments for spider veins in the legs. This is what you can expect from the procedure:
- Your dermatologist will inject a chemical into the varicose or spider vein that irritates the wall of the vein. Different areas are injected for optimal results.
- Your dermatologist may start massaging the area after the injections
- You would be asked to wear compression stockings on the treated leg
- You should be able to resume most activities and return to work the next day
Walls of the vein stick together in sclerotherapy. This prevents blood from flowing backwards which improves circulation and reduces swelling in the treated leg.
It may take 3 to 6 weeks for spider veins to disappear. Varicose veins may take 3 to 4 months. You may require 2 to 3 treatments for best results. Sclerotherapy is an in-office treatment and doesn’t require anesthesia.
Laser treatments
Lasers are used by dermatologists for treating small varicose veins and spider veins. Laser light is directed at the vein by the dermatologist during laser treatment. Small spider veins may immediately disappear following the treatment. Varicose veins and larger spider veins may darken over time. You should see them disappear in 1 – 3 months. You may require 3 or more treatments for complete clearing.
Most patients can resume work and their regular activities the next day. You may need to wear compression stocking for a brief time after each treatment.
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) and Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT)
RFA and EVLT are fairly new treatments. They are an alternative to surgical removal of the vein. Both treatments work to destroy the vein from the inside. EVLT is used by dermatologists for treating small varicose veins and spider veins. RFA is used for treating large varicose veins.
This is what you can expect during the treatments:
- You would be given local anesthesia that numbs the treated area. The anesthesia will also cause swelling in the area.
- A small incision is made for inserting the catheter (for RFA) or laser fiber (for EVLT) in the vein.
- The laser or radiofrequency device will be activated that heats the vein and causes it to collapse. The heat doesn’t harm the surrounding area.
- Compression stocking will be placed on individual leg after treatment.
You should be able to return to work the next day. Board certified dermatologist Dr. Tri H. Nguyen at Texas Surgical Dermatology receives patients from Houston, Katy, Spring, The Woodlands, Texas, and nearby areas for the treatment of damaged blood vessels in the legs.
For More Information contact our Board Certified in Dermatologists at Texas Surgical Dermatology in Spring, TX
For more information on procedures and treatments offered at Texas Surgical Dermatology PA please call 832.663.6566 or click here to contact our dermatologists. Helping patients in Houston, The Woodlands, Spring, Katy and other surrounding areas of Texas.
