Leg Vein Sclerotherapy Miami
There are many methods for enhancing your cosmetic appearance today. Sclerotherapy is a time-tested procedure that has been used for the last 150 years to treat the appearance of varicose and spider veins. The procedure involves tiny injections of a solution directly into the affected veins, causing them to collapse and gradually fade from view. It is most commonly performed on leg veins and can be done on patients of all ages. It is most frequently performed on older patients, though, as aging and weakened vein valves often contribute to the development of varicosities.
Understanding Vein Valves
Your veins move unoxygenated blood from your peripheral tissues back to your heart. The blood is pumped through the veins by contractions from the heart in one direction. In order to ensure there is no backflow of blood moving in the opposite direction, many veins have valves that allow blood to flow only in the direction of the heart.
Causes of Varicose and Spider Veins
Once these valves are compromised, often due to age, varicose, and spider veins may occur. Sclerotherapy can be used to treat the appearance of these unwanted, superficial veins. Before the procedure, a thorough investigation is conducted of every visible vein on the legs from top to bottom.
Evaluating Vein Health
Once that is complete, the doctor will confirm that there are no other underlying health problems responsible for their appearance, and ensure sclerotherapy is the best course of action for you individually. If you are determined to be a good candidate, the operation may begin.
Injecting the Affected Veins
During the procedure, sclerosant is injected directly into the affected veins to eliminate them by damaging the innermost lining of the vessel. This results in a blood clot that prevents blood from traveling any further down the intravenous passageway. The vein eventually dies and is reabsorbed by the body. Varicose veins can lead to prolonged swelling in the legs, which is a condition known as venous insufficiency.
Risks of Venous Insufficiency
Venous insufficiency carries a greater risk of blood clots and skin ulcers in patients, and even more frequently manifests as the unsightly spider veins. For this reason, the destruction of these veins can be done for both cosmetic, preventative, and medical reasons.
Early Treatment is Key
It is best to get them treated as early as possible, so that further complications do not arise. Since the procedure requires injections, it is not pain-free, and certain types of sclerosants cause more pain than others, but the pain associated with most treatments is manageable.
As we mentioned earlier, spider and varicose veins are typically found in the elderly, but some doctors have reported the condition in children as young as nine years of age. It is very important that action be taken sooner rather than later in the treatment of varicose veins so that venous insufficiency does not occur, which can cause a host of further complications that go beyond pure cosmetics, such as edema, leg pain and cramps, itchy legs, weakness of the legs, thickening of skin in legs or ankles, skin that changes color (especially in the vicinity of the ankles), leg ulcers, and tightness in the calf muscles.
Let the professionals at Miami Skin Dr. provide you with the professional and attentive care you deserve in sclerotherapy treatment. Call us at (305) 735-9474 or click here today for a free consultation!