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The art of beauty in safe hands
BEFORE
SCLEROTHERAPY
THREAD VEIN REMOVAL
SCLEROTHERAPY removes veins and stops them spreading.
Thread veins can appear on the legs as a result of family history or post occupation situations, such as continuous hours of standing. As they spread, they can become an aesthetic problem and occasionally cause symptoms such as tiredness in the legs. Dr Aguilar only performs this procedure with products that are FDA and UK approved. This ensures that all our products are high quality to guarantee a safe and effective result.
WHAT IS SCLEROTHERAPY?
Sclerotheraphy is a treatment long considered to be the gold standard for removing unsightly thread veins on the legs. Treatment consists of tiny injections into the little red veins which leads to inflammation and causes the veins to constrict and collapse. The sclerotherapy solution causes the vein to scar, the scarring forces blood through healthier veins and then varicose vein fades within a few weeks, although they might not disappear completely. It can take around 3-4 weeks to see the full result and in most of the cases more than one session is required. Most patients experience long-lasting results from sclerotherapy, but additional treatments may be needed in the future to maintain the desired appearance as new veins can form over time.
EXERCISE AND A BALANCED DIET TO HELP TO REDUCE LIQUID RETENTION ARE IMPORTANT FACTORS IN MANTAINING THE RESULTS OBTAINED FROM THIS TREATMENT. IN GENERAL, IT IS SAFE TREATMENT BUT A DETAILED DIAGNOSIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DEEP VEINS ARE IN GOOD CONDITION, IN ORDER TO AVOID ANY POSSIBLE COMPLICATION.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE PROCEDURE?
It is a straightforward, fast procedure that takes between 15 mins and an hour. It is a procedure that does not require anaesthesia, depending of the severity of the veins, and usually requires more than one session. After the treatment the veins can look a little worse but in the course of the next few weeks you will notice the result. With this treatment it is possible to stop thread veins from spreading but we can't stop them appearing in areas that have not been treated. It is therefore recommended that, following initial treatment, a session is carried out once a year in areas where they are beginning to appear.
Throughout the procedure, you'll lie on your back with your legs slightly elevated. Dr. Aguilar will clean the area before injecting a solution into the targeted vein using a fine needle. This solution causes the vein walls to swell, stick together, and eventually seal shut, stopping blood flow. As a result, the vein gradually fades within a few weeks. You may feel minor stinging or cramping when the solution is injected.
After the injections, Dr. Aguilar will apply compression to the area to keep blood from re-entering the treated vein and to help disperse the solution.
Following the procedure, it’s essential to walk around to reduce the risk of blood clots. Most patients can resume their regular activities the same day. Compression stockings are recommended.
AFTERCARE
After the procedure you can get up and walk around and it is recommended to wear compression stockings for about 72 hours, then during the day for an additional 7 days. This keeps pressure on the treated veins. It is important that you don't shave your leg or use lotion on the area treated until the site heals.
Most people return to their regular activities on the same day. You need to avoid hard exercise for two weeks after the procedure.
The treated area should stay out of the sun for 4 weeks. Or use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Being in the sun can lead to dark spots on the treated area, especially for those with black or brown skin. Avoid extreme heat (hot baths, sauna, etc) for 2 weeks. Elevate your legs when seated for the first 15 days.
Veins may initially appear worse before improving, bruising, red marks or brown pigmentation can occur, This effects can take time to face, sometimes up to 9-12 months in rare cases.
HOW MANY SESSIONS ARE NECESSARY?
The number of treatments required varies depending on the extent of the veins. Some patients achieve satisfactory results after just one session, while others may need multiple treatments. Plan for up to 4 sessions spaced 4 weeks apart for optimal results.
Click here to find more before & after pictures.
By Dr. Aguilar
By Dr. Aguilar