Risks of Cosmetic Vein Treatments
Vein disease encompasses a range of disorders which, over time, may prevent the veins from functioning properly. Some can also cause a number of uncomfortable symptoms.
Varicose veins and spider veins are particularly common vein conditions, and they develop close to the surface of the skin. They can result from having damaged or weakened valves in the veins, but the two conditions can appear very differently.
There are a range of vein treatments available to help alleviate symptoms of varicose veins and spider veins, improve the appearance of the skin, and prevent the conditions from worsening. Treatment will depend on the severity of the vein condition and on your personal preferences. Cosmetic vein treatment options include minimally invasive procedures (such as microphlebectomy) and surgery (such as vein ligation and stripping surgery).
Minimally invasive and surgical procedures for treating vein diseases have fairly high, long-term success rates. Nonetheless, despite their benefits—like any type of medical procedure— cosmetic vein treatments are not devoid of risks and complications. Let’s explore the risks associated with cosmetic vein treatments and when you’re supposed to call your vein doctor for them.
Risks Involved in Cosmetic Vein Treatments
Nowadays, especially with the advances in technology, complications associated with cosmetic vein treatments have become much less common. Most of these risks are only temporary, albeit there are serious ones that can also occur.
Risks associated with cosmetic vein treatments include the following:
- Numbness or tingling in the treated area
- Pain or discomfort
- Bruising, redness, or skin discoloration
- Allergic reaction (such as to sclerotherapy agent, or anesthetic)
- Blisters, scabs, or scarring
- Bleeding
- Superficial phlebitis (vein inflammation as a result of a blot clot or damage to the vein walls)
- Injury to adjacent veins
- Infection (at injection/incision site)
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – blood clot in the vein
- Pulmonary embolism (blocked blood vessel in the lungs)
When to Call Your Doctor
If you experience medical complications following a cosmetic vein treatment, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible. These can include pain or swelling in a vein or unexplained swelling in your leg or arm that does not disappear within a few days.
The following symptoms can indicate a serious condition such as DVT or a pulmonary embolism, which can be life-threatening, if not treated promptly. Seek immediate medical treatment if you experience:
- Bleeding
- Redness, darkened skin, or heat around the painful area
- Shortness of breath or chest pain
- Swollen veins, that may feel hard or sore to the touch
- Throbbing or cramping pain in one leg (usually the calf of thigh)
- Unusual swelling
Cosmetic Vein Treatments in Kansas City, MO
If you are suffering from a vein disorder, such as spider veins or varicose veins, contact us at Missouri Vein Specialists for a thorough evaluation and appropriate treatment. Our experienced vein specialist, Dr. Scott Darling, offers a wide variety of innovative cosmetic vein treatment options– conservative, minimally invasive, and surgical—to suit your specific condition.
To find out more about our vein treatment options, call us today at 816-792-3400 or alternatively, you can request an appointment online.
