Sclerotherapy – Effective Varicose Vein Treatment
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins, usually appearing on the legs or ankles. They often look dark blue or purple, showing through the skin surface. In addition to being unsightly, they are often painful. You may feel tiredness, burning, or itching in your legs. If this sounds familiar, visit us at the Skin Wellness Dermatology of Alabama. With sclerotherapy, Birmingham residents can end the pain, discomfort, and embarrassment of varicose veins.
What Causes Varicose Veins?
The valves in veins normally only allow blood to move one direction. In your legs, the blood should move upward. When these valves become weakened, they respond to the force of gravity, allowing blood to move down the veins. This results in clotting, and eventually, swelling and deformation of the vein. Heredity, pregnancy, obesity, damaged veins, and venous insufficiency (a condition weakening the valves) are among the most common causes.
Treating Varicose Veins
The gold standard treatment of varicose veins, and spider veins, is sclerotherapy. It is a non-surgical, minimally invasive option. Instead of removing the vein, it is injected with a sclerosant solution, using an ultra-fine needle. Over the next few weeks, the vein gradually breaks down through a process called fibrosis. It is naturally reabsorbed, and does not need surgical removal. Essentially, it slowly vanishes!
Several sessions may be needed to treat all afflicted veins. During treatment you may feel a mild stinging sensation, though this is temporary, disappearing within about 20 minutes of completing the session. There is little to no downtime with sclerotherapy; most patients return to normal activities the same day. Dr. Corey Hartman and Dr. Rayna Dyck will advise you of special care instructions, which are minimal.
You can be free of varicose veins with just a few visits to the Skin Wellness Dermatology of Alabama. Varicose vein treatment can be followed by other dermatological procedures or skin care products for legs you will be proud to show off! Email or call us at (205) 871-7332 to learn more.