Are you going to avoid wearing your favorite dresses this holiday season because you are embarrassed about unsightly leg veins? Spider or varicose veins can be unattractive or even downright painful and can put a damper on your seasonal gatherings with friends and family. Fortunately, vein problems are not something you have to live with as a normal part of aging. The talented team at Ritacca Cosmetic Surgery & Medspa can perform a treatment called sclerotherapy that reduces the appearance and symptoms of spider and varicose veins in the legs. If you want to have smooth, vein-free legs just in time for the holidays, you should consider sclerotherapy.
What is Sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a minor, non-invasive procedure that involves injecting a salt solution directly into the vein that the patient wants to treat with a very fine needle. The solution works by irritating the lining of the blood vessel, which then causes it to collapse and the blood inside it to clot. The vessel then turns into scar tissue that will eventually fade to the point where it is nearly invisible. The procedure may cause mild cramping or discomfort in the area of injection for a few minutes, though it is usually not painful. The treatment, which takes place in our specialist’s office, generally takes around fifteen minutes to half an hour to perform. Multiple veins can be treated in one procedure. The number treated and follow-up treatments will be determined by the specialist during the consultation.
Recovery time is minor after a sclerotherapy procedure. The patient will usually be told to take it easy and not engage in vigorous activity for a few days after treatment, but most return to their normal lifestyles within a week.
Who are Good Candidates for Sclerotherapy?
Those with unsightly or painful spider or varicose veins are good candidates for sclerotherapy. Spider veins usually appear as small red, blue, or purple veins while varicose veins are normally ropy, large, and bulging. Varicose veins are usually the types of veins that cause pain in most patients. Vein issues can be a normal symptom of aging, and they can be worsened by obesity, sitting or standing too much, childbirth, a history of blood clots, or genetics. Those who experience swelling, leg cramps, pinching sensations, or ulcers in their legs are particularly good candidates for sclerotherapy as they will experience physical relief as well as an improved appearance.
If you are pregnant, take birth control pills, or have had a history of blood clots, you may not make a good candidate for sclerotherapy. Our specialist will perform a complete health history check during your consultation to determine general health and identify any possible complications before you are approved for the treatment.
What is the Recovery Time for Sclerotherapy?
You may experience mild discomfort such as cramping or pinching during your sclerotherapy treatment. You may also have more symptoms for the day or two after your treatment that can include itching or irritation near the injection sites. These symptoms should disappear within a few days, though bruising near the injection site could last for several weeks. Most of those who have sclerotherapy can return to normal activity shortly after their procedure.
You can expect to see results after the first treatment, though most experience the best results after several therapies performed over the period of several months. This means you can show off your improved look at your holiday parties and have smooth, vein-free legs for the new year.
How do I Choose the Right Doctor to Perform My Sclerotherapy?
It’s important to choose a qualified specialist to perform your sclerotherapy treatment. If you live in the Chicago area, visit Ritacca Cosmetic Surgery & Medspa. Drs. Leonard Lu and Daniel Ritacca specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of varicose veins and have successfully performed hundreds of these treatments. Once they determine that sclerotherapy is a viable option, they will walk you through the procedure and answer any questions you have before scheduling the treatment.
Don’t let varicose or spider veins dampen your holiday celebrations! Show off your vein-free legs and alleviate nagging pain this year with a professional vein treatment. Schedule a consultation to determine if sclerotherapy is right for you.
