In the past, surgery called vein stripping was the main vein treatment, but thanks to innovations in technology, new, non-surgical vein treatments have been developed that are very effective for removing varicose and spider veins.
There are several types of non-surgical or minimally-invasive vein treatments, and our specialist can recommend a particular treatment after a thorough examination of your veins and a diagnosis. These procedures do not require a general anesthetic, but we may use a topical anesthetic to numb the skin. It all depends on the unique situation.
Compression stockings may be the first treatment our specialist recommends. They put constant pressure on your veins to help push the blood up the legs and back to the heart. Compression stockings are usually tighter at the ankles and become looser towards the knee or thigh. There are several types of compression stockings, and our specialist will recommend the right one for your vein issues.
Sclerotherapy is a treatment that affects the walls of the veins so that they collapse. It only requires an injection of a special solution directly into the vein. After the vein collapses, the blood moves through other healthy veins. Sclerotherapy is usually prescribed for smaller varicose veins and spider veins.
Ablation or heating of the inside of the vein is another non-surgical treatment. There are two main types of ablation, including radiofrequency ablation and endovenous laser ablation. In radiofrequency ablation, a wire catheter is passed along the length of the vein using ultrasound to guide the wire. Then, radio waves are transmitted through the vein wall into the wire catheter to destroy the vein. The wall will become hot and thick and collapse, and the vein will eventually be absorbed by the body and disappear.
Endovenous laser ablation is comparable to radiofrequency ablation, but it uses laser energy instead of radio waves. The laser fiber is also inserted into the vein and laser energy causes the vein to collapse. The vein gradually shrinks and is absorbed by the surrounding tissue. We usually use this treatment for varicose veins that are deeper in the leg.
Non-surgical vein treatments may be recommended if the appearance of your legs is causing you embarrassment or if you are having pain and cramping. If you have frequent blood clots, ulcers or sores on your lower legs and ankles; the skin on your ankles and feet changes color and becomes darker; or your legs begin to feel hard, non-surgical vein treatments may be your best option.
Non-surgical vein treatments are very popular because they are effective without extended recovery time. It may take a few weeks or months for the veins to disappear completely, but there is a good chance you will have smooth legs again without the need for an invasive surgery.
Located in El Segundo and serving the Los Angeles area, Beach Cities Vein and Laser Center wants to help you make your problematic veins a distant memory. To put it simply, non-surgical vein treatments can be extremely effective. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to learn more about how these treatments can benefit you.