We know the scenario. It’s Spring and as you are putting on your shorts for the first time this year you see varicose veins that seem to have popped out of nowhere! You hate the way they look and feel – the heaviness, swelling, and aching – but don’t want to endure the recovery after surgery. At Madison Medispa in Waunakee, WI, we have good news: ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy is a non-invasive treatment that works quickly and requires little downtime. It’s also proven highly effective in removing varicose veins.
How Long Does Ultrasound-Guided Foam Sclerotherapy Last?
Many people are under the false impression that vein treatment is transient in nature – results develop and then fade. Ultrasound Sclerotherapy, however, delivers permanent results. A vein that turns to scar tissue and disappears from sight is gone for good; it won’t regenerate or otherwise redevelop.
During treatment, we inject a foamed detergent solution directly into the affected veins. This is done under the guidance of ultrasound so we can see the veins that have been treated as well as those that need additional treatment. The foamed solution damages the vein wall and, in time, destroys the entire vein. Your body then dissolves the broken remnants until they’re completely removed.
Additional Treatments May Be Necessary
You literally have miles of superficial veins in your legs. Varicose veins rarely develop as one-time conditions within the body. Instead, these veins usually get passed on through genetics, meaning they are a part of your DNA. Since gravity doesn’t take a day off, and it is a chronic genetic condition, statistically you will be likely to eventually develop new varicose veins in other parts of your legs.
Your Blood Flow
You might be wondering what happens to blood flow as treatment destroys and eliminates your broken veins. The good news is that because you have so many superficial veins, your body has already re-routed the blood flow to the good veins in your legs before you even begin treatment! Therefore, once your bad veins are treated, your legs will look better, feel better, and the venous circulation in your legs will improve!
How Long Before Results Show?
Significant improvements to varicose and spider veins can be seen within the first three months. Veins that are larger may require additional time to fade, which we’ll discuss in greater detail during your consultation.
Easy Recovery
After treatment, most patients return to their usual activities, including work, with very few restrictions. You’ll need to avoid overexertion and strenuous exercise for three to five days to promote healing. Likewise, compression socks/garments will improve blood flow to keep re-routed veins strong and healthy. Additional suggestions, such as those listed below, will also help your recovery:
- Stay well hydrated
- Use your compression stockings as directed
- You anti-inflammatory medications if needed
- Get up and walk frequently
- Take showers with cool water
- Skip hot baths, whirlpools, and saunas
- Stay out of direct sunlight, including tanning beds
- Do not apply heat, including hot compresses, to the injection sites
How Treatment Works
During treatment, as mentioned earlier, we inject an FDA-approved detergent solution into your broken veins. This solution inflames the vessel lining causing the vein to spam, seal shut, and eventually turn into a solid cord. The scarred down vessel is then dissolved by your body leaving your legs looking and feeling much better!
Sclerotherapy is not new; it has, in fact, been used since the 1930s to eliminate varicose and spider veins. It is considered the gold standard in vein care for both its high safety profile and effective results.
Backed by Science
Studies show that greater than 90% of patients respond positively to treatment, meaning they see a substantial decrease in their unhealthy veins. Treatment can also relieve:
- Aching and Pain
- Itching
- Burning
- Swelling
- Heaviness
- Cramps
- Throbbing
- Fatigue
- Restlessness
Determining Candidacy
At the time of your consultation, we’ll review your medical history and current health during your consultation. We’ll also use this opportunity to examine the veins you want to be treated with and answer any questions you might have.
What to Expect
Your appointment will last between 60 and 90 minutes. We’ll start by numbing the target area with lidocaine, then, using very fine needles, we’ll inject the foamed solution into targeted blood vessels. The number of veins we treat in one session depends on your overall medical condition and the size and location of the veins. Once your appointment is finished, you can drive yourself home to begin the (short) recovery process.
Sooner Is Better
Most people wait years to seek treatment for unhealthy veins. Some are frightened, which we completely understand; in the past, doctors performed surgery on varicose veins that involved anesthesia, cutting the vein in one or more places, and pulling it from the body. Unfortunately, this surgery is still occasionally performed today, but thankfully, it’s no longer the only option.
Some patients fear they’ll have to endure a painful treatment without any visible results. Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy, however, is extremely well-tolerated, and as we discussed earlier, most patients see rapid and long-lasting results. The key is in seeking treatment sooner rather than later. This yields faster results – you can get the smooth skin you want with fewer sessions – and more quickly relieves your pain.
Faster Recovery Time
Addressing new veins as they appear also means a smaller treatment area, so you’ll heal in less time. The body is well-equipped to discard unnecessary tissues, meaning it will reabsorb smaller vein fragments more efficiently than larger fragments.
The Cause of Varicose Veins
The culprit in all cases of varicose vein disease is valvular damage in the affected veins. Normally, blood moves up and out of the legs toward the heart and lungs via one-way valves inside the veins. When these valves fail, gravity is allowed to pull the blood backward, causing it to collect and pool within the veins. This causes the vein walls to stretch and enlarge, and if the affected veins are located close to the surface of the skin they will become visible. The three key factors that cause venous valves to fail are heredity, female hormones and pregnancy, and direct valvular damage/injury. Other factors may also contribute to how quickly the varicose vein disease process worsens, including jobs that require you to stand or sit in one place for prolonged periods and being overweight.
Varicose Veins Do Not Happen Only to Women
Being female can be a risk factor for this condition, but studies reveal that up to 56% of men also suffer from varicose veins. When genetics is responsible for unhealthy veins, and they exist in men and women equally.
Exercise Does not Contribute to Varicose Veins
Yet another common myth is that exercise makes varicose veins worse, but the exact opposite is true. Walking or running forces leg muscles to send more blood to your heart. This substantially boosts your circulation so blood is moving rather than pooling in veins.
Weight Loss Doesn’t Make Varicose Veins Go Away
Losing weight is great for your body, but it doesn’t help erase unhealthy veins. As you lose excess fat, your veins may in fact become more visible. Treating your varicose veins with ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy can help promote a healthy lifestyle as your legs should feel much better while you exercise and you may not feel as self-conscious about wearing shorts.
Unhealthy Veins Can Develop at Any Age
When it comes to varicose veins, people assume they only afflict older people. It’s true that with age, veins and valves may become weaker, but even patients in their teens can develop varicose veins if their family history is bad enough!
Bid Unhealthy Veins Good-Bye
Ultrasound Guided Foam Sclerotherapy is a safe, non-invasive way to eliminate bulging varicose veins. You’ll see a considerable difference in your skin’s appearance after just a few weeks, and the results are permanent. Although new veins may appear over time, we can easily treat those with additional Sclerotherapy. Learn more here, or if you’re ready to have your legs look and feel better, Schedule your consultation today by calling Madison Medispa in Waunakee, WI.