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Spider Vein Treatment: Facial
Spider veins (telangectasias) are a common development
from sun damage and from aging. Certain medical conditions
and habits (smoking, alcohol) can also promote their
development. They are cosmetically undesirable and
can make the face appear older, flushed, or blemished.
Sun and heat can make them more prominent. These
benign vascular lesions are among the most frequent
and challenging aesthetic complaints.
Spider veins usually take on one of three basic
patterns. They may appear in a true spider shape
with a group of veins radiating outward from a dark
central point; they may be arborizing and will resemble
tiny branch-like shapes; or they may be simple linear
and appear as thin separate lines. Reticular veins
are those deeper, darker veins that form bluish networks
that criss-cross over the thighs and lower legs.
Reticulars are larger veins than spiders and they
are usually the source of spiders. Getting rid of
reticular veins will help get rid of spiders!
Linear spider veins are commonly seen on the inner
knee, whereas the arborizing pattern often appears
on the outer thigh in a sunburst or cartwheel distribution.
Lasers using light that is strongly absorbed by
hemoglobin in spider veins is an excellent alternative
for treatment. No needle is required. Pulses of light
quickly coagulate the spider veins. Some crusting
can occur on the surface of the skin. Occasionally
a second treatment is needed for facial spider veins.
The treatment is fast and simple. The discomfort
is mild. No anesthetic is usually needed.
More extensive spider veins and other vascular blemishes
may also be treated. Our long pulse ND Yag laser
generates a pulse of intense concentrated light,
which is directed through a small, cooled hand piece,
which is gently applied to the treatment site. This
treatment can be performed just about anywhere on
the body, and usually does not require anesthesia.
Even sensitive areas such as the nose and checks
can be treated easily and with minimal discomfort.
Leg Veins
Spider veins on the
legs can occur as a result of varicose veins, enlarged
and
twisting superficial
veins in the legs. Varicose veins can be genetic
or due to a mechanical blockage of the deeper veins.
Quite often the enlarged veins are due to incompetent
venous valves, which subject the small superficial
veins to greater pressure than they can handle. Intermediate
sized "feeder" veins called reticular veins
spread this pressure to the smallest veins. When
these dilate and appear as a red or bluish network
they are also known as spider veins.
Lasers are useful in treating
spider veins on the leg. But lasers are not very
effective on the larger
reticular veins, which "feed" the networks
of spider veins. The best approach is to combine
sclerotherapy (injection therapy) of the reticular
veins with laser treatment of the matted capillary
networks and spider veins. Sometimes surgical vein
stripping is needed to eliminate the very large varicose
veins from incompetent valves.
What is Phlebology?
Phlebology is the study and treatment of diseases
and disorders of veins. Modern treatment focuses
on improving long-term functional and cosmetic results,
to achieve an active, pain-free lifestyle.
What causes vein problems? Veins
carry used blood to the heart through one-way valve
systems. When there is a weakness in the vein
wall or a faulty valve, the valve stretches and no
longer closes properly. The veins become filled with
blood that can’t flow normally, causing pain,
swelling, discoloration, sores that won’t heal,
blood clots and other problems.
What types of vein problems does a phlebologist treat?
Spider veins and varicose veins are the most common.
Other vein problems include chronically swollen legs,
recurrent infections, thrombophlebitis, stasis eczema,
pregnancy-related problems, non-healing leg sores,
or bleeding veins.
How are varicose veins treated?
Old-fashioned vein surgery that leaves scars is virtually
obsolete. Most patients can be treated non-surgically,
using the latest and safest improvements in technology.
From the largest varicose veins to the tiniest spider
veins, most problem veins today can be treated with
sclerotherapy, laser therapy, radio frequency ablation,
or another modern approach.
What is sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a nonsurgical office procedure that
can treat most diseased surface veins. Medication
is dripped into a vein using an extremely tiny needle.
The medication closes down the vein walls so that
they stick together and are gradually reabsorbed
by the body. Getting rid of these diseased veins
actually improves the circulation and makes the legs
healthier.
How does Altus CoolGlide Excel™ laser
removal of unwanted blood vessels work?
The
Altus CoolGlide Excel™ laser is a non-invasive
light therapy device specifically designed to eliminate
undesired blood vessels from all parts of the body.
The Altus CoolGlide™ laser generates a pulse
of intense, concentrated light which is directed
through a small, cooled handpiece which is gently
applied to the treatment site.
The
laser energy passes through the skin to the blood
vessels, which you wish to
have eliminated,
where the energy is absorbed by pigment in the blood,
causing selective damage to the lining of the target
blood vessel without damaging the surrounding tissues
and skin. The deeply penetrating long wavelength
of the Altus CoolGlide Excel ™ allows us to
target blood vessels which other, shorter wavelength
lasers cannot safely reach. The laser is pulsed,
or "turned on", for only a fraction of
a second. The duration of the pulses is carefully
determined so that laser energy will be absorbed
by the blood vessels without transferring excessive
heat to the surrounding skin.
Cooling gel pads applied immediately before and after
treatment protects the surface of the skin, and by
a gold plated cooling head that glides over the skin
(CoolGlide™) half a second before the laser
beam. This selectivity helps to protect the skin,
while effectively treating the unwanted vessels.
How many treatments do I need for leg veins?
In many cases, significant improvement is realized
in as few as 1 to 2 treatments. In some cases, new
spider veins may appear and therefore additional
treatments may be necessary. Treatments may occur
at 3 to 4 week intervals.
How much will leg vein treatment cost?
Consultation is free. The first treatment fee is
$300 for up to 30 minutes and $500 from 30 to 60
minutes.
When can I resume normal activities after leg vein
treatment?
Although we encourage you to resume normal activities
almost immediately, we do ask that you refrain from
vigorous activities for at least 24 hours and exercise
for 2 to 3 weeks after the treatment. Please also
avoid hot baths and hot tubs for at least 2 to 3
weeks after treatment.
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