Varicose veins are a common problem: more than 40 million Americans suffer from this condition at any time. Varicose veins form when the valves that keep the blood in our veins from dropping down in response to gravity begin to weaken. This weakening causes the blood to pool, and over time the pooling blood in the vein causes the vein to enlarge and become discolored. Although this often begins as a primarily cosmetic issue, varicose veins can lead to pain, itching, and swelling. At Reno Sparks MedSpa in Reno, NV, we can take care of these vein issues with several different treatments.
Every situation is different and every body is unique. For this reason, we know that sometimes the best treatment for some will be sclerotherapy, while in other cases, radiofrequency ablation or laser treatments could be the answer. It all starts with a consultation, where we can evaluate the situation with your veins and help you choose the right treatment for your issues. Let’s consider the treatments available so you can get an idea of which ones we might recommend.
What Is the Best Treatment for Varicose Veins?
It used to be that surgical procedures were the only way to get rid of problem veins. While these procedures are certainly effective, they do require downtime and are rather invasive. The good news is that these procedures are not the only treatments available today, and at our office, we offer a number of innovative treatments that can help you permanently get rid of vein issues without surgery.
Consultation
Your first step will be to come to our clinic, where we can ask you questions about your vein issues and general medical history. We will want to know, for example, how long you have been suffering from varicose veins and where exactly your problem veins are located. We also need to see their size and color and learn whether they are causing you any pain, swelling, or itching. We’ll also ask you some questions about your general medical history and any previous treatments that you’ve had.
Once we have had a chance to discuss your issues and see your veins, will be able to explain the various treatment options in greater detail. Rest assured that our goal will be to recommend the treatment that is the best option for you and the one most likely to give you the results you’re looking for. We will also, of course, want to know your own preferences. Three great choices that you may go with at our office are sclerotherapy, laser treatments, and radiofrequency ablation.
Radiofrequency Ablation
This well-known method of removing problem veins is preferred by many patients because there is no need to inject anything into the vein, as with sclerotherapy, and there’s nothing at all invasive about this treatment. It works by sending radio waves directly at the diseased veins, which heats them up. Rest assured that this happens at a temperature that will not damage the surrounding tissue.
As the vein heats up, it dies, closing off. Your body will naturally reroute blood flow to other, healthier veins and will remove the old vein gradually through your body’s own natural waste removal processes. We use an ultrasound device to guide the radio waves to precisely the right spot. Before treatment begins, we will apply a special cream to the area. There is no need to worry about pausing blood thinning medication’s with his treatment as there are with some other vein treatments.
Laser Treatments
Laser treatments are fast and convenient. Each treatment takes just 15 to 30 minutes and works in a similar way to radiofrequency ablation. Very precise laser energy is directed at the diseased vein, through the skin. Veins that are treated with the laser heat up, shrink, close off, and disappear.
Small veins often need just one or two treatments to make them invisible, although larger veins may need more. One of the reasons it takes a few treatments to see your final results is because of the precision application of this laser. We use a laser of 1.2 mm or less, which ensures the veins are targeted while surrounding tissues are not.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is a popular and effective treatment for removing unwanted veins. In this case, a special substance known as sclerosant is injected into your veins and causes the walls of the veins to collapse. This means that blood can no longer flow through the veins, which signals to your body that it should redirect blood flow to healthy veins and break down and remove the diseased veins.
In all of these treatments, the results are permanent because veins do not grow back after they have been removed. Some people will notice very immediate changes, while others need some time before they notice a big difference. This is because it takes a little while for the body to break down varicose veins and remove them, and every body processes the veins at a different rate.
FAQ About Varicosities
Should I Treat My Varicose Veins?
It is rare for varicose veins to be painful when they initially appear, and this can cause people to question whether they should even bother having their veins treated at all. Many people believe that these varicosities are nothing more than a cosmetic nuisance, but this is far from true. While these veins often start small, the valve issues that caused them do not spontaneously heal themselves, and so the vein issues almost always get worse with time. What starts off as a small cosmetic issue could become so much discoloration and change to the texture of your legs that you feel self-conscious wearing shorts, bathing suits, or baring your legs with a short skirt.
In addition, varicose veins can affect your health. As these vein issues progress, you may start to feel pain, swelling, cramping, or itching, struggle with dry skin, or have a feeling of heaviness in the legs. Some people even develop sores that can take a long time to heal, and in worst-case scenarios, these vein issues can actually lead to dangerous blood clots. Treating your vein issues can definitely improve your quality of life.
What Can I Expect from my Appointment?
These treatments are all minimally invasive. That means there will be no incisions, and this means you will not have to go through any extensive preparation or plan for a lot of downtime. We may apply a numbing cream to the treatment area to ensure your comfort, and once we have finished treatment, you are free to go home and return to your normal activities.
Depending on how many veins you have treated and the precise nature of your treatment, it could be wise to take a day off from work to rest; but for the most part, there are very few restrictions.
Which Treatment Is Right for Me?
All the treatments listed here work and provide permanent results. But the best way to know which treatment will be most effective for you is to talk to us in person. In most cases, mild to moderate vein issues are easily treated with radiofrequency ablation and laser treatments. Moderate to more severe issues may do better with sclerotherapy, but you will know more after your initial consultation.
Will I Have to Wear Compression Stockings?
Compression stockings put pressure on the lower legs, which helps your blood flow properly and makes the healing process go more quickly. In some cases, compression stockings can actually be enough to address very mild varicosities. We will let you know if compression stockings are a smart move, but if stockings are recommended, it’s always wise to wear them.
Compression sleeves or stockings can also be a good idea to wear if you have a job that requires you to do a lot of standing. They will help keep the blood flowing and make you feel more comfortable during your workday.
Treat Concerning Veins Today
Vein issues are much more than just a cosmetic concern. These conditions almost always get worse, and they can cause pain and other complications. If you were suffering from this type of vein issue, come talk to us about our various treatment options and what might be best for you. Whether that’s sclerotherapy, a laser treatment, or radiofrequency ablation, you can be sure that we’re committed to finding the best treatment for your needs. Come talk to us at Reno Sparks MedSpa in Reno, NV today to learn more and get started. You’ll be glad you did!
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