BEAUTY AND COSMETIC

Treatment for leg thread veins - Sclerotherapy     

Sclerotherapy has been used for over 50 years and is a safe and well-established treatment for thread veins of the legs.
 
What are thread/spider veins?

Thread veins (also known as ‘spider veins’) are unsightly, very small, abnormally dilated blood vessels which are red/blue in colour and lie very close to the surface of the skin. Usually, they cause no physical problems, but occasionally they may create discomfort and itching.

Why do I get these veins?

Some people suffer more from this condition than others and, although not definitive, experts agree that thread veins

• Are usually hereditary.
• Are increasingly likely as a result of hormonal changes, for example with pregnancy and HRT.
• Can erupt as a result of trauma/surgery to the legs.
• Become more prominent and numerous with increasing age.

Is there anything I can do to stop these veins appearing?

Unfortunately, if you are predisposed, there is very little that can be done to stop thread veins appearing. Compression stockings may slow their progression, but will not stop them completely. Also, there is no clinical evidence that any homeopathic remedies will either remove or stop thread veins appearing. There are, however, steps which can be taken to help:

What should I expect from my initial consultation?

A full and thorough assessment by your Practitioner will involve a detailed discussion of the best treatment options for your legs. During your initial consultation you will usually be assessed in a standing position. This enables the Practitioner to fully assess your legs, which can be done by sight and feel, enabling the Practitioner to tell you how many sessions you will need. Cost will vary according to the quantity and type of veins requiring treatment. Most sessions take half an hour and you should budget for at least three treatments. Results after one treatment vary considerably from client to client. Also, some veins may disappear completely, whilst others may only fade and yet more remain unchanged. On completion of a successful course of treatment, you can expect a 60-70 % improvement in the overall appearance of the affected areas.

With the patient lying flat, a solution is injected into the veins with a very tiny needle. This makes the lining of the vein become sticky and swell; over a period of time, the vein will heal closed, be absorbed into the body, and fade away. Research has shown that some compression of the injected veins is beneficial, and this can be achieved by the wearing of compression stockings, or tights. The longer they are worn, the better the effect. Your Practitioner will elaborate.
     
Does the treatment hurt?

Depending on the solution used, Sclerotherapy need not be painful. Occasionally, there may be a feeling of discomfort in some areas of the leg, but it varies from person to person.

What should I expect after treatment?

Once either the bandaging or stockings are removed, the legs will look worse for a while. There may be marks from the needle, bruising, and often the veins may change from their normal red/blue colour, to black/brown. This is normal and may take a few weeks to settle, depending on how quickly you normally heal. Some people find the homoeopathic remedy 'Arnica' helps to improve bruising and legs may feel slightly tender for the first few days following treatment. An anti-inflammatory drug such as Ibuprofen is often helpful, as is exercise. After about four weeks, the veins should show some signs of improvement, but the true effect is seen from two to three months after treatment. Some larger, darker flares may continue to fade for up to six months after the procedure.

Is Sclerotherapy permanent?

Small vessels will be absorbed by the body over a three month period and should not reappear. However, it is likely that new ones will occur in a similar area. It is also possible that larger veins can reopen over time and may need further treatment to close them again.

What are the side effects?

Although safe, Sclerotherapy is not entirely without risk. All sclerosing drugs have similar side effects, but the chances of experiencing side effects may vary according to the drug used.

Brown staining (haemosiderin stain) is the most common side effect. It may occur in approximately 15% of cases and happens when the vein is not entirely closed, so blood is trapped and clots. In some people, iron pigment leaks from the clot and stains the skin over the vessel. This is more likely to occur in slightly larger veins; the stain is not usually permanent, but may take 6 –18 months to fade. When exposed to the sun such stains may darken and take longer to fade. However, the result is usually less unsightly than the original thread veins. In the unlikely event that the stain does not fade (less than 5%) it is possible to have laser treatment to reduce the brown marks.

Immediately after Sclerotherapy, you may experience some swelling around the ankle or knee joints. This settles naturally after the first 24 hours, but you might find that raising your leg whilst sitting helps the settling period.

Other less common side effects are:

Telangiectatic matting: this occurs if the fragile vessel is injured during the injection, leaving a mat of tiny vessels which resemble a blush or red bruise. This usually disappears without the requirement for further treatment over a period of 6 –12 months. If it persists, further Sclerotherapy may be needed.

Blistering: in rare cases the skin overlying the vein may blister. In extreme cases this may create small scabs (feet and ankle areas are most vulnerable) which can potentially lead to minor scarring. Occasionally, the stocking may rub and cause small blisters. These will settle naturally if left alone.

Larger veins can become lumpy, tender and warm where blood remains in the vessel.  Although this is unremarkable during the healing process, if the condition is very uncomfortable, you should seek the advice of your practitioner. Normally, larger veins settle without further difficulties over a few weeks, but the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and the wearing of compression hosiery may speed the process. If you are concerned, you should consult your practitioner.

Very rarely, after about 2-3 weeks, a small area of redness surrounding a white or black centre may appear, accompanied by a throbbing sensation. If this occurs, you should seek advice from your practitioner. Prompt treatment with antibiotics should prevent any worsening.

Allergic reaction to the agents used is incredibly rare and varies according to the Sclerosant used. Your practitioner would be able to discuss the likely incidence with the specific drug. Any reaction would occur during the session and your practitioner would cease treating you immediately.

Itching and some redness are common during the treatment and are not causes for concern.

In rare instances, it is possible for the treatment to have little or no effect.