If you are self-conscious about the spider veins on your legs, especially when wearing swimsuits or shorts, you should consider a treatment that eliminates the unsightly veins. At Nunnally Dermatology in Baton Rouge, LA, we understand how important is to feel good about your legs and their appearance. With our Sclero therapy vein treatments, we can help you get rid of pesky spider veins.
Vein Treatment
Vein treatments have been around for a long time. Both women and men have always sought ways to improve the appearance of spider veins. Although spider veins are not harmful to your health, they cause people to be self-conscious when wearing clothing that expose their legs.
Treating spider veins so that they don’t come back is the best way to get rid of the unsightly veins. Once a vein is treated, that vein will not reappear, thought it is possible that other, new veins may appear.
What Are Spider Veins?
Spider Veins, sometimes referred to as varicose veins, are small, dilated blood vessels that are not needed for circulation. Since the body does not need them, they are fine to treat. They usually appear on our legs as red or blue and can be web-like or in small lines. Sometimes they may traverse your leg or appear on one leg and not the other.
These unwanted veins form when blood pools in the vein and can’t move forwards or backwards, causing pressure. The pressure causes the vein to bulge, making it visible under the skin.
While this may sound strange, it’s usually harmless. The blood in our vessels sometimes pools because there is a malfunction in a valve. Valves usually send blood toward the heart where it will be re-oxygenated, but when the valve malfunctions, the blood may begin to pool.
Where Do They Appear Most Commonly?
Spider veins usually appear on our legs more than anywhere else on our bodies. Women typically suffer from them more than men. While they can appear on our ankles and sometimes our faces, they are much more common on legs.
What Causes Spider Veins?
Genetics and family history play a large role in spider veins, which unfortunately means many of us can’t escape them. Other things, like standing for a long period of time or sitting for long periods, can bring them on as well. When we stand for a long time, things like gravity and pressure make it harder for our veins to pump blood.
Age is another factor that plays a part in spider veins. As we age, our muscles tend to weaken and veins are more likely to appear. This is because with weaker muscles comes greater difficulty pumping blood back to our hearts.
Hormones and pregnancy can also bring about extra spider veins. Pregnant women are at a greater risk for getting spider veins than other women.
What Are the Symptoms of Spider Veins?
Usually there are no other symptoms other than the visible spider veins. They are aesthetically unappealing but usually don’t cause pain or discomfort. The only real issue is feeling subconscious about them.
If you are concerned about a spider vein, we can answer any questions you may have.
What Is Sclerotherapy?
Sclero therapy is a treatment that involves injecting a safe and effective solution into the spider veins with a very small, thin needle. The solution inflames the lining of the spider veins and the vein becomes shut off. The body responds by reabsorbing the spider veins. This painless process usually takes around 4-6 weeks.
You won’t notice immediate results after your treatment, so don’t worry if the veins appear to be the same. Give them a few weeks and then you should start to notice a difference. And once the vein is gone, you don’t have to worry about it coming back.
Can Lasers Be Used on Veins?
Lasers have been used to treat spider veins in the past, but this treatment is not successful in removing spider veins on our legs. Lasers have proven to work on spider veins present on the face, but if you want to get rid of them on your legs, we have found that sclero therapy is much more effective and has better results. It is considered the go-to treatment for spider veins on legs.
If you do have spider veins present on your face, an educated staff member can discuss the best options with you and help you determine if sclero therapy is the right treatment for you.
Benefits of Sclerotherapy
No Downtime
One of the best benefits to our vein treatments is that there is no downtime after your treatment. You are encouraged to walk after the treatment is done because this helps in healing. You will be fine to leave the office and drive yourself home after your appointment.
Support Stockings
Another benefit to these treatments is that you only have to wear the support stockings for perhaps a week following the treatments. It is recommended that you wear them day and night for a few days, but after that you only have to wear them during the day. Our educated staff will walk you through when the support stockings are needed.
Veins Will Not Return
Once a vein has been treated with Sclero therapy and it disappears, that vein will not return. Your body has taken care of it by reabsorbing it. This is great if you have spider veins that are particularly giving you trouble and are visible in shorts or swimsuits. Once that vein is reabsorbed, it won’t come back.
Nonsurgical Treatment
Many people love these treatments as an option to get rid of unsightly veins because it is nonsurgical. It can be done right in our office. There is no need for invasive treatments or long recovery times. It’s a fast, easy treatment that can be performed in 30 minutes in our office.
How Many Sclerotherapy Sessions Do You Need?
Each client is different and will respond differently to sclerotherapy treatments. It also depends on how many veins will be treated. Because new veins will appear on our legs in the future if we are genetically predisposed to spider veins, most people will want to continue sclerotherapy treatments over a period of time to ensure any future veins are treated as well.
The number of initial sessions needed depends on many factors. You may decide you want all of your current veins treated or perhaps just the ones that are most seen in shorts or swimwear. These decisions can be made during your initial consultation with our office.
How Long Are the Sessions?
Depending on the number of veins you would like treated, appointments usually last around 30 minutes. You will want to space your treatments out at least six weeks so that your body has time to heal and reabsorb the spider veins that have been treated.
Who Are the Best Candidates for Treatments?
Healthy individuals, especially adult women in early to late middle age, who have unsightly veins on their legs can benefit from this treatment. Since it is a nonsurgical treatment, it is easy to perform. You can return home afterward and there is no downtime.
If you have any of the following, you will benefit from treatments:
- Veins that traverse the leg
- Spider veins on one leg and not the other
- Spider veins on both legs
- Red or blue veins
- Web-like veins
- Single veins that run along your calf
- Spider veins on your ankles
What About Pregnant Women?
If you are pregnant or if you have just given birth, you should wait till a later time to have any treatments performed. During your consultation, our staff will make sure you are a good fit for this treatment.
What to Consider Before Treatment?
The treatments, while they are short at the office, require at least six weeks before you see the vein fully fade away. Because of this, if you are planning to have veins treated in time for summer or vacation, you should plan accordingly. There is never a bad time to have the treatments done, but if you want them in time for summer, you should plan out enough time so that you can have a few sessions performed well in advance.
It’s always important to live a healthy lifestyle before and after any treatments. It’s recommended that you drink plenty of water before and after to give your body the best chance to heal and for the best results to appear. You should be able to move around before and after treatments, so this isn’t the best option if you are bedridden.
Our staff will discuss with your whether you are on any blood thinners or other medicines. It will be important to discuss your medical history with us during your consultation.
What to Consider After Treatment?
Showering
It is recommended that you take cool showers following your treatment and recuperate in a cool, dry place. This will aid in healing and ensure you get the best results possible. Our staff will go over with you when it’s appropriate to take hot showers and baths again.
Compression Socks
Remember that you will most likely need to wear compression socks for perhaps a week after the treatment.
Can You Exercise After Treatments?
It is recommended that you avoid strenuous activity and exercise for a short amount of time after your treatments; however, walking is encouraged. Your doctor will want you to get up and move around.
Are There Other Services Available?
Many people find that sclero therapy is just one piece of the puzzle in achieving the best results for your appearance. There are other services available to those looking to add to their rejuvenation goals. We offer many treatments and facial options to help with anti-aging, and brighter, more youthful skin. We also offer hair removal treatments and many other cosmetic procedures.
Next Steps
If you have unsightly veins spider veins that are bothersome to you or make you feel subconscious, you should consider sclero therapy vein treatments. When you make your initial consultation, we will discuss your concerns, inspect your spider veins, and go over any questions you may have.
During your consultation, we will go over a treatment plan that makes sense for you and that will fit your needs and timing. This will take into consideration your overall health, medical history, and plans for the future.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Don’t let another day go by where you aren’t comfortable in shorts or swimsuits. Get rid of those pesky veins for good. Call Nunnally Dermatology in Baton Rouge, LA, today to schedule your initial consultation. We deliver sclerotherapy vein treatments that will improve your appearance and overall confidence and give you the look you want for your legs.
