Varicose and Spider Veins
If you suffer from varicose or spider veins, you are not alone. It is estimated that 50% of the adult population suffer from some form of a venous disorder. Whether you desire treatment for cosmetic improvement, or relief of symptoms associated with abnormal veins, we can assess your condition and provide you with a personalized treatment plan.
What are Varicose and Spider Veins?
Arteries bring oxygenated blood from the heart to the extremities while
veins, which have one-way valves and channel deoxygenated blood back to
the heart. The one-way valves prevent blood from flowing backwards (reflux).
If they fail to close properly, blood will leak through the valves and
result in pooling. Over time, this pooling will force the vein wall outward
resulting in enlargement and sometimes bulging of the vein. These enlarged
veins are spider veins or varicose veins.
Spider veins are small red, purple or blue veins located just below the surface of the skin. They can have a web-like appearance, hence, the term spider vein. Varicose veins are larger distended veins located deeper under the skin. Varicose veins can protrude from the skin surface resulting in a rope-like appearance.
What causes Varicose and Spider Veins?
Heredity is the main contributing factor causing varicose and spider veins.
Women are more likely to suffer from abnormal leg veins. Pregnancy, birth
control pills, and hormone replacement play a large role in the development
of the disease. Other risk factors include aging, prolonged standing,
obesity, constipation, leg trauma or congenital conditions.
Start with your personal consultation
Our physician is an expert in the field of phlebology, the practice of
medicine that deals with disorders of the venous systems. Before any treatment
all our patients undergo a venous consultation with our physician which
includes a venous ultrasound. This process allows our physician to understand
your needs and develop a personalized treatment plan.
Varicose and Spider Vein Procedures at CSH
Endovenous Laser Ablation EVLA/ELT
Sclerotherapy (Varicose & Spider Veins
Ambulatory Phlebectomy (Varicose Veins
Surface Laser Therapy (Spider Veins
Questions and Answers
Endovenous Laser Ablation EVLA/ELT
Until recently, the removal of varicose veins required the actual stripping of the vein, which is a surgical procedure that requires an overnight hospital stay, with a painful recovery period. There is scarring from incisions and risks of post-operative infection and a 25% chance of recurrence.
Recently, a new technique that delivers laser energy directly to the inside of the vein wall has eliminated the need for painful vein stripping surgery. We can offer you long lasting results through minimally invasive treatment with no hospital stay and no scarring. There is a 95% success rate with less than 5% recurrence rate with Endovenous Laser Ablation.
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Sclerotherapy (Varicose & Spider Veins)
Sclerotherapy involves a series of injections using a very fine needle to administer a sclerosant into the vein. This irritates the lining of the vein wall causing it to collapse and ultimately disappear. Sclerotherapy should cause only minimal bruising and temporary discomfort. You can return to your normal daily activity following the treatment. Sclerotherapy is used to treat spider, reticular and varicose veins.
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Ambulatory Phlebectomy (Varicose Veins)
This is a minor procedure performed in our office with local anaesthetic to removal branch varicose veins. During the procedure, our physician removes the veins in segments through tiny incisions. Stitches are not necessary and scars are virtually undetectable.
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Surface Laser Therapy (Spider Veins)
Our Dornier 940nm laser produces a unique wavelength that safely passes through the skin and is selectively absorbed by the targeted blood vessel. The vein will gradually disappear, leaving the skin intact. Your skin is cooled with ice or a cold compress (in some cases topical anaesthsia) to minimize the mild heat sensation. A session is 20 minutes and you may require multiple sessions. Surface laser is used to treat spider veins.
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Questions and Answers
Is treatment always required?
No. The majority of varicose and spider veins are treated for cosmetic
purposes. However, varicose veins can cause medical problems if left untreated.
If you are uncertain about your particular case, a consultation should
answer the question.
How long does a consultation take?
A comprehensive consultation including venous ultrasound takes approximately
15 minutes.
Does sclerotherapy hurt?
Most people feel little if any discomfort. Occasionally you may experience
a mild burning sensation at the injection site. This is only temporary
and subsides in a few minutes.
Does surface laser hurt?
Since the area is iced prior to the treatment, you should not feel any
discomfort. However, there are a minority of people that may encounter
minimal discomfort (like an elastic band striking your leg).
How many sclerotherapy/laser therapy treatments will I need?
This depends on the severity and number of veins that need to be treated.
Although some people will notice some improvements after the first treatment,
most areas will need to be treated approximately one to three times for
optimal results.
What are the side effects of sclerotherapy?
Following the treatment you may develop bruising at the injection site.
This is normal and usually resolves in 7-14 days. Slight hyper-pigmentation
(staining) of the skin or telangiectatic matting(tiny new veins) can occur
but is usually temporary.
