Because there are many veins in the leg, the blood that would have flowed through the closed vein simply flows through other healthy veins after the procedure. The loss of the diseased vein is not a problem for the circulatory system.

After the procedure, a compression stocking should be applied that cannot be removed except on your follow-up visits. Cast protectors can be purchased to cover the stocking and allow you to shower. No limitations are placed on normal activities with your stocking in place. On occasion, temporary skin pigmentation changes may occur following sclerotherapy. Limited sun exposure or use of 30 SPF sunscreen is advised until this staining resolves.

Lasers work by emitting a specialized light that is passed through the skin and preferentially absorbed by its target, be it an unwanted hair, birthmark, tattoo or in this case, the hemoglobin (the red portion of blood) in the unwanted vessels. The laser causes the vein to break up and disappear. There are several lasers available that work remarkably well in treating unwanted veins.

Generally, laser can only be used on veins of very limited diameter. Varicose veins can not be treated by laser at all. Injection sclerotherapy of incompetent reticular(feeder) veins is preferred before laser is used to treat spider veins. Sclerotherapy is a more effective and less costly method of treatment of unsightly leg veins in most cases. Laser will not replace sclerotherapy for a foreseeable future.

In theory, blood flow can resume. However, the probability of the saphenous vein reopening appears to be no more than 10% out to 2 years. One published report found that at 2 years 90% of Closure treated veins were invisible to ultrasound, suggesting permanent obliteration.

Treatment times are brief, and our clinic is easy to access. Most cosmetic procedures require less than one hour in a clinic setting. Surgical procedures require more operative and recovery time but generally can be performed on an outpatient basis.

A:The laser targets the pigments in the red blood cells in the unwanted veins, in the same way that the laser targets pigments in the hair follicle during laser hair removal.

A:The time for each procedure varies with the number and size of the veins being treated. Some may be treated in as little as 10 minutes, while other, larger areas may take an hour or more. A:As with other laser-based procedures, most patients describe the sensation as similar to a rubber band being snapped against the skin. The SmartcoolTM Chiller helps to numb the area prior to treatment, greatly reducing any painful sensations.

This minimally invasive treatment is an outpatient procedure performed using imaging guidance. After applying local anesthetic to the vein, the interventional radiologist inserts a thin catheter, about the size of a strand of spaghetti, into the vein and guides it up to the great saphenous vein in the thigh. Then laser or radiofrequency energy is applied to the inside vein. This heats the vein and seals the vein closed.

Laser therapy is a proven treatment for treating unsightly broken and dilated vessels as well as other unwanted vascular lesions, such as rosacea, port wine stains and other vascular birthmarks. In fact, the latest advances in laser technology have given us a method for removal that is safer, faster and more effective than any previous treatment.

Varicose veins are larger, twisted and more prominent than normal veins. Quite frequently, they are associated with many spider veins.

Spider veins and varicose veins are the most common. Other vein problems include chronically swollen legs, recurrent infections, thrombophlebitis, and pregnancy-related problems.

All of the surgeons incorporate preventative measures to decrease the likelihood of developing a clot. This does not mean that you cannot develop a clot. Your doctor may order a tablet, a small injection, or devices such as stockings or wraps for your feet. A combination of these methods may also be used. Early ambulation is also important to decrease the likelihood of a blood clot, as well as performing the ankle exercises.

It is important for our clients to understand why all the hairs are not treated in one session. This is because there are 3 stages of hair growth Hair can be in any of these stages at any one time, but only the hair in the Anagen (growth) stage will be successfully treated at each session. The number of hairs in Anagen phase at any one time varies from 10-70% depending on the body site; this is why we recommend 3-6 treatments with 6-8 week intervals for maximum results.

Just about anyone. Heredity plays the biggest role. 10% of men and 50% of women totaling over 80 million Americans are affected. As might be expected, any condition that puts strain on flow of blood from the legs toward the heart can aggravate the condition. This includes, but is not limited to pregnancy, standing for long periods, obesity, and extended sitting. For each individual, it is important to accurately identify the cause of their particular situation.