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80 million Americans have some kind of venous disorder and out of these, 80% are cosmetic. Although most Americans do not have a major circulatory disorder, visible veins give the impression of aging and of poor health. The major reason for unwanted veins is heredity, most of these venous conditions are inherited.
Women are 3 times more likely to develop varicose veins than men. Other factors contributing to the onset of unwanted veins are work-related (standing for long periods of time), pregnancy, and trauma (injury) to the immediate area.
Surface veins such as spider veins are like a sponge that collects and drains into deeper vein channels. This passive collection network is redundant, so even when damaged they are not essential to the circulation of the blood in the legs or facial areas. There are many misconceptions about eliminating unwanted veins because of the way it was done in the past. With the advent of new sclerosing agents that create an enzymatic reaction to destroy unwanted veins, the procedure has been greatly enhanced and clearance has improved dramatically over traditional methods of only a few years ago.
Spider veins, blue reticular veins, and other telangiectasias are now easily treated painlessly and effectively, with clearance achieved in one to three sessions. We offer laser solutions for telangiectasias of the face and spider veins of the legs, as well as injections of spider veins and reticular (blue) veins in the legs.
In the past couple of years there has been a tremendous improvement in the way we treat unwanted spider and reticular veins in the legs and facial areas. The types of treatment are similar, but improvements to the sclerosing agents used in the injections — and the choices and improvements of YAG lasers and IPL (Intense Pulse Light) — are more effective than before and also less painful to the patient.
New detergent sclerosing agents have replaced hypertonic saline as the choice to eliminate spider veins and reticular veins by injection. These newer agents also have an anesthetic effect, so the patient is more comfortable during and after the procedure. Adverse effects have virtually been eliminated, and these newer agents are much more effective at starving the vein of protein and collapsing and eliminating these veins quickly.
YAG lasers and newer IPL equipment remain the standard for facial telangiectasias and below the ankle for superficial veins. IPL allows larger spot areas to be treated, which saves time and allows variation for stubborn or non-responsive veins. KTP (Diode-532 wavelength) lasers still work well, and in combination with injection strategies the results are real, long lasting, and affordable.
