What is leg vein sclerotherapy?

There are many methods of improving your cosmetic image these days. Sclerotherapy is one such tried and true method that has been around for the last 150 years, and is used for treating the appearance of varicose and spider veins. The procedure involves tiny injections at the affected sites which improve the appearance of unwanted veins characteristically found in the legs of patients in a myriad of age ranges, but typically in the elderly, as their leg muscles reach a certain point of deterioration and varicosity begins to set in.

How does sclerotherapy work?

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 back-flow of blood moving the opposite direction, many veins have valves that allow blood to flow only in the direction of the heart. 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. 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. When it is determined that you are a good candidate, the operation can begin. 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 travelling 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. Venous insufficiency carries a greater risk of blood clots and skin ulcers in patients, and even more frequently manifest as the unsightly spider veins. For this reason, the destruction of these veins can be done for both cosmetic, preventative, and medical reasons. 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.

Why get sclerotherapy for varicose veins?

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 angkles, skin that changes color (especially in the vicinity of the ankles), leg ulcers, and tightness in the calf muscles.

Leg Vein Sclerotherapy Treatment in Miami, FL

Let the professionals at Miami Skin Dr. provide you with the professional and attentive care you deserve in sclerotherapy treatment.