BUTTOCK, LEG, & VEIN TREATMENTS
Do you have unsightly veins on your legs or face?
We have three different ways to treat spider veins at Medical Spa NP. We use two different types of lasers- our IPL laser treats mainly the smaller, tiny veins and capillaries and our 1064 Nd-Yag laser treats slightly bigger veins and capillaries. We also inject veins and capillaries in a process known as Sclerotherapy. As you will have to wear compression stockings after sclerotherapy continually for up to two weeks, we typically only offer this treatment during the winter. Our Nurse Practitioners offer free consults and can discuss with you which treatment or treatments is optimal for you. If your condition is too advanced for non-invasive means, we have teamed up with a local physician who is an expert in this field.
*Please see our social media for pics of facial telangectasias before and after, and picture of sclerotherapy before and after.
Sclerotherapy FAQs
Sclerotherapy, often called spider vein treatment, involves an injection that reduces the appearance of vascular blemishes, spider veins, and broken blood vessels. It is designed to eliminate uncomplicated spider and reticular veins. The injection causes damage to the vein with irritation and inflammation inside the vein and leads to clotting and closure of the vein. One brand of sclerosing agent, Asclera, was approved by the FDA in 2010, and is used here at Medical Spa NP. Asclera causes undesired spider veins to seal shut without pain other than the prick of an injection needle.
Varicose veins are large blue or dark purple veins that protrude from the skin. Often, they have a cord-like appearance and may twist or bulge. Varicose veins are found most frequently on the legs.
Spider veins are very small and fine red or blue veins that sit closer to the surface of the skin compared to varicose veins. They can look like thin red lines, tree branches, or spider webs. Spider veins can be found on the legs and face and may cover a small or large area.
Reticular veins, also called feeder veins, are the blue and green veins that sit just beneath the surface of the skin. Reticular veins sometimes enlarge because of increased pressure in the vein. This is often a hereditary condition.
A number of factors may contribute to the development of spider, reticular, and varicose veins.
- Heredity. Approximately half of the people who develop varicose, spider, or reticular veins have a family history of the condition.
- Age. The normal aging process may cause valves in some blood vessels to weaken, resulting in prominent veins. Gender. Women are two to three times more likely to develop varicose veins than men. Up to half of American women have varicose veins. Changes in hormones due to puberty, pregnancy, menopause, or birth control may increase a woman’s risk of developing varicose veins.
- Pregnancy. During pregnancy, the growth of the fetus increases the pressure on the veins in the legs. Varicose veins that occur during pregnancy usually improve within three to 12 months following delivery.
- Obesity or excess weight. Excess weight on the body can put additional pressure on the veins, especially in the legs.
- Prolonged standing or sitting. This is particularly true in people who spend a lot of time with their legs bent or crossed. These positions make the veins work harder in order to pump the blood up to the heart.
- Other possible causes for varicose veins are race, posture, occupation, hormones (such as estrogen and progesterone), primary valvular incompetence, and incompetent perforating veins.
While spider veins are not always preventable, there are things you can do to reduce your chances of developing them. Wear sunscreen, exercise regularly, control your weight, and try not to sit or stand for long stretches of time. Shifting your weight from one leg to another can help while standing. Take short breaks to walk around if you need to sit for long periods of time. Also, wear support stockings.
Complications may result if a patient is allergic to the sclerosing agent or if the sclerosing agent is improperly injected. For these reasons, sclerotherapy is not suitable for pregnant or nursing women, patients with acute vein or blood clotting conditions, or patients with known allergies to the sclerosing agent.
The Nurse Practitioners Keitha and Lindsay here at Medical Spa NP will be able to advise you on the best course of treatment for your individual needs.
Asclera (polidocanol) is a prescription medicine injected into the veins during sclerotherapy. The treatment aims to remove or reduce the appearance of two types of unwanted veins: reticular veins (diameter between 1 and 3 mm) and uncomplicated spider veins (diameter ≤ 1 mm). The safety and effectiveness of Asclera on varicose veins with diameters greater than 3 mm has not been studied.
After the injection session is completed, we will apply compression with a stocking or bandage and we will have you walk for 15 to 20 minutes. This walking and monitoring