Treatment of thread veins in legs
Microsclerotherapy of
Thread Veins:
Microsclerotherapy is the best treatment
for thread veins of the leg. It
will dramatically reduce the appearance
of these tiny unsightly red veins. They
are far more common in women, who can
feel self conscious about showing their
legs. Male sufferers are treated with
equal success. A medication (Sclerovein
0.5%-0.75%) is injected into each of the
involved vessels. This causes swelling
in the vein's wall and its eventual destruction.
Thread veins are bright red or blue, and lie close to the surface. They are not serious and are different to varicose veins. Varicose veins lie deeper, are often greenish and knobbly and can cause pain. An examination on the first visit will determine if varicosities are present and advise on their treatment, which is generally a surgical procedure.
Spider veins on the face can scar with this treatment and are better treated with laser or light therapy.
The procedure:
Very fine needles are used for the procedure. Sclerovein solution tends to be more comfortable than the alternative Saline, but is slower to act. Support tights or compression bandages are worn for 48 hours afterwards and will increase the success rate of treatment.
Repeat procedures:
These should be left for a month as the results evolve slowly and further shrinkage of the veins is possible even up to this time. Often a spider vein will need more than 1 injection, sometimes as many as 5 or 6 sessions.
Recovery time:
With the exception of avoiding violent exercise, you will have no down time after the treatment.
The downside?
- Having to wear support stockings! It is often better to time treatments for winter months.
- Itching at the injection site is common and will last up to 2 hours.
- Injection sites can look like insect bites for the first 2 hours.
- Some swelling of legs for the first 2- 3 nights is less common.
- You may feel some cramping in your legs for the first couple of days afterwards.
- Vessels are likely to appear even more prominent for the first month after treatment.
- Old veins can flare up or new veins can appear in the treatment area.
- Small brown spots of brown discolouration may
occur in a third of patients , but fade away gradually.
What can go wrong?
- Small ulcers occur rarely and may scar on healing.
- There are rare reports of allergy to the Sclerovein solution.
What should you do after treatment?
- Try to raise your legs as much as possible for the first 24 hours.
- Do not shower for 24 hours afterwards.
- Keep support bandages on for at least 48 hours after the procedure.
- Walking is encouraged, but avoid prolonged sitting or standing, pounding type exercises, squatting, weight lifting and very hot baths.
- Wear your compression stockings if possible for four weeks after the last treatment.
Conditions that will mean you can not have this treatment:
- Known allergy to Sclerovein solution.
- Pregnancy.
- Taking the contraceptive pill.
- Skin infection in the area to be treated.
- Planned heart surgery; e.g. weak valves in your heart.
- Varicose veins caused by pelvic tumours.
- Uncontrolled disease e.g. diabetes.
- Inability to walk.
Cost:
- Quarter of an hour £75
- Half an hour £150
Keep Young and Beautiful - Beauty & anti-ageing treatments.
Cosmetic treatment clinics in Hove, East Sussex & Mid Sussex
Phone : 01273 691424
(or 01273 430022 out of hours) to arrange a consultation
Email : alison@arcaesthetics.com
