Sclerotherapy
Medical Dermatology
Spider and varicose veins are an unfortunate part of many thousands of lives every day. These clusters of raised purple and blue veins can turn every which way down the legs and arms. At times they can be painful and exhausting, and they are always unsightly. Luckily they can be treated safely and effectively at Contour Dermatology
Sclerotherapy is a technique that uses safe medications to cause the vein to be reabsorbed by the body. This re-absorption causes the blood to be rerouted deeper below the tissue. Three types of sclerotherapy are used at Contour Dermatology; Sodium tetradecyl sulfate(STS), Glycerin and Asclera.
The first known use of sclerotherapy was in the early 1850’s, however medicine had not become advanced enough to make the procedure safe and effective. It wasn’t until the mid 1930’s when doctors discovered that the use of STS was a safe way to treat veins. STS is a concentrated saline solution that is a safe and affordable option. This detergent works by interacting with the lipids in the cells that compose the walls of the vein, which causes the vein lining to be destroyed. The vein then clots, and is replaced by healthy tissue. The blood that once flowed through it, is rerouted deeper under the skin, where it should be.
Glycerin is a great option for people with smaller veins. Glycerin is a sugar based compound that interacts with the cells of the veins, and irritates them. the irritated veins die, and get absorbed by the body, which then reroutes the blood to deeper vessels. Glycerin is an affordable option that is know to have less side effects than traditional methods, such as a reduced risk of ulceration or discoloration.
Asclera is is an excellent option for all sorts of veins, from spider veins to reticular veins. Asclera(Polidocanol)has an anesthetic component, which makes it much more comfortable than other vein treatment solutions. Asclera also has the benefit of having a greatly reduced risk of side effects, such as post-procedure hyper-pigmentation, ulceration, and vein recurrence.
With all the options, a very small needle is inserted into the veins and the solution is enjected. The vein becomes irritated or damaged, and dies. Then the body absorbs the vein and replaces it with healthy tissue. Finally, the blood is sent deeper into the tissue, where it should be.
Spider and reticular veins do not have to be a permanent part of your life. With sclerotherapy, you don’t have to be afraid to wear your favorite dress, or put on that new bathing suit at the beach. Nearly everyone will see some sort of veins at some point in their lives. Aside from the cosmetic need to reduce the appearance of veins, it can also be medically necessary. Many people feel pain, or experience complications in life due to their leg veins. In cases such as these, it may be possible to have treatment covered by your insurance.
