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Vein Treatments

Varicose veins and spider veins are common complaints. Spider veins can appear on the legs with varicose veins but can also appear on the face. Both varicose veins and spider veins often cause cosmetic concerns.

What are spider veins (telangiectasias)?

Spider veins are small dilated blood vessels that are just below the surface of the skin. They are frequently found on the cheeks, nose, chin and legs. They appear as thin red lines or web-like patterns of blood vessels. Facial spider veins are common with age, due to broken vessels, but some medical conditions such as Rosacea cause visible spider veins. They are usually harmless but are unattractive. When spider veins appear on the ankles this may be an indication of a more serious problem.

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are enlarged blood vessels that are caused by damaged veins with weak vein walls. Varicose veins may be an indication of or create a risk for a more serious condition, such as a blood clot in the veins called phlebitis. Veins have valves that are designed to prevent blood in the legs from flowing backward and pooling in the veins. Varicose veins develop when the valves in the veins are damaged, and the blood that was to circulate back to the heart instead pools in the leg veins (venous reflux).

Most varicose veins cause no symptoms and do not require treatment. However, if you have symptoms such as discomfort, leg ulcers, swelling and discoloration, treatment will be recommended. When your main concern is cosmetic, treatment will remove the offending veins.

What causes visible veins?

Age, sun damage, heredity, and hormone imbalances due to pregnancy, birth control pills and hormone replacement.

Vein treatments

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is the gold standard treatment to eliminate spider veins and varicose veins. Using a very fine needle, sclerotherapy involves the injection of a prescription medication into the offending vein which causes the vein walls to collapse and seal off the abnormal vein. The treated vein disappears over the course of a few weeks. Some veins may require more than one treatment. Sclerotherapy is an office procedure performed under local anesthetic. Activities may be limited for several days after treatment.

Laser

Laser vein treatments use advanced laser technology (laser and intense pulsed light (IPL)) to destroy visible blood vessels. The heat from the laser or IPL targets the blood vessels, seals the abnormal vessels and does not damage the skin.

Laser treatment is a preferred treatment for facial veins because it requires no incisions and doesn’t injure healthy skin. The laser targets the red color and eliminates the vein without bruising. The body reabsorbs the unwanted blood vessels during healing. There is no downtime and normal activities can be resumed almost immediately. Dr. Farhang uses a variety of tools including Lumecca and Vasculaze to diminish the appearance of visible veins.

Ambulatory phlebectomy

This procedure removes the abnormal vein through small slits in the skin. It is reserved for large varicose veins close to the skin. It is performed using local anesthesia.  After treatment, there will be temporary bruising and swelling which will respond to over the counter pain medications. The patient will wear compression stockings for a week.

Contact Dr. Sheila Farhang for more information about vein treatments. Dr. Farhang is an expert board – certified, dual fellowship trained Mohs surgeon, skin cancer surgeon, cosmetic surgeon, and dermatologist who provides medical and cosmetic dermatological services.

Dr. Farhang is integrates the most innovative, state of the art treatments with an integrative medicine approach. Call today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Farhang.