Vein Removal – Treatment Methods for Spider and Varicose Vein Removal
Red, purple and blue superficial veins that appear on the legs and face are for many not aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Often known as spider and varicose veins that can appear after pregnancy, weight gain, trauma, prolonged standing or in some instances can be genetic. These colored lines appear as a result of damaged vessels. Women have a higher tendency toward these venous abnormalities than men, with an estimated 25% or more of females suffer with some type of spider or varicose vein problem. Fortunately several methods are available to lessen and eliminate this issue.
Before we can eliminate the symptoms, we must first ask why the veins will initially appear. When appearing on the legs these superficial veins appear as a result of body weight, pressure and gravity. This pressure caused the internal portion of the veins to become damaged. The result is an overflowing of blood into the damaged areas causing a swelling which in turn produces spider or even the larger varicose veins.
Determining the type of venous problem will assist in choosing the proper course to remove the veins. Spider veins, or telangiectasias as they are sometimes known, are small thin red or purplish veins, usually close to the surface that appear on the face and legs. Varicose veins are larger deeper superficial veins that tend to bulge from the surface of the skin. While spider veins may have some symptoms associated with their appearance, it is generally the varicose veins that cause issues for the person. Symptoms that can be associated with the larger veins include; achiness, burning, throbbing, cramping, heaviness, itching, and skin ulceration (usually from vascular disease)
Depending on the type of veins, several treatment types are available to assist in vein removal. Sclerotherapy is primarily used for spider veins however it can also be very effective on smaller varicose veins. Sclerotherapy is the process of injecting an irritating solution into the damaged vessel. The response of the vein to this solution causes swelling which pushes out the blood thereby causing the vein to close itself down. Once closed down the body naturally breaks down and absorbs the vein. Several sessions may be required to clear an area. Costs can average $200-$400 per treatment.
Laser surgery and intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) can treat both spider and varicose veins. These treatments can accurately remove veins by directing highly concentrated light energy at the veins to infiltrate and destroy them. Veins slowly fade over a 4-6 week period of time. Some varicose veins can be treated with laser therapy, but this is usually restricted to veins under 3 millimeters in diameter. Costs can range from $200-500 per session.
Surgical procedures for leg vein removal include stripping, ligation, ambulatory phlebectomy and EVLT (endovenous laser treatment). An ambulatory phlebectomy is the process of making small incisions over the line of the vein and pulling it out through those incisions under local anesthesia. A surgical ligation involves making an incision over the vein and tying off the vein to cut off the blood supply to the damaged vessel. The stripping of a vein combines ligation and removal to eliminate the vein by tying off the upper end of the vein and pulling out the remainder. Often these procedures are done under general anesthetic in an outpatient or hospital setting. EVLT is done under local anesthesia. Under Doppler imaging the laser is inserted into the vein then slowly with drawn, heating and sealing the vein closed. Complications can be severe and scarring is almost always a definite.
Common side effects often associated with vein removal procedures can include hyper-pigmentation, telangectatic matting (more tiny veins appear in an area), infection, bleeding, reoccurrence of veins, blood clots, skin ulcers, scarring, severe inflammation and allergic reaction.
Consult a qualified physician to determine which treatment is right for your own particular needs.
