Cosmetic Vein Treatments and How They Can Benefit Your Skin

Spider and varicose veins can be an eyesore and can gnaw away at your confidence. While they don’t usually pose a significant medical threat and require medical treatment, you may still want to invest in getting them removed to enhance the appearance of your skin, have some peace of mind, and restore your confidence.

At Missouri Vein Specialists, Dr. Scott Darling is a board-certified vein specialist who delivers the latest and most effective cosmetic vein treatments available today. He combines medical restoration and aesthetic techniques to eliminate unsightly varicose and spider veins and address their associated discomforts.

Here are some of the interventions Dr. Darling recommends for spider and varicose veins. These procedures are minimally invasive and feature quick recovery times and excellent cosmetic outcomes.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is used for treating small varicose and spider veins. Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution known as a sclerosing agent directly into the vein. The solution causes the lining of the vein to collapse and seal shut, thereby forcing blood to get rerouted through healthier veins. The collapsed vein gets reabsorbed into local tissue and eventually dissolves in a few days, albeit it may take a month or more to notice the full results.

Dr. Darling uses polidocanol and glycerin sclerosants, which are very safe medications. He uses varying concentrations depending on your condition, especially if you have a history of allergic reactions.

Depending on the size of your spider veins, several sessions may be required to achieve your desired result.

Endovenous Laser Therapy

Endovenous laser therapy is an image-guided procedure used to address larger varicose veins.

During the procedure, Dr. Darling passes a laser fiber through a thin tube (catheter) into your vein. While doing this, he monitors the vein on a duplex ultrasound screen to ensure precision. He then applies infrared light onto the inside walls of the vein to seal it shut. Blood is redirected into nearby healthy veins. The treated vein will eventually dissolve and be absorbed into the body.

Dr. Darling may advise you to wear a compression hose and to elevate your leg to help lessen the swelling. You will likely experience a tight sensation five to seven days after your procedure.

Radiofrequency Ablation

Radiofrequency ablation is another cosmetic treatment option for varicose veins. It involves the use of radiofrequency (also called thermal) energy—instead of laser energy—to destroy the diseased vein. RF is administered in a similar method: via a narrow catheter in 20-second increments until the whole vein is treated.

As with laser therapy, Dr. Darling heats the wall of the affected vein to seal it shut. Blood is rerouted into the healthy veins nearby, while the treated vein gradually dissolves through the body’s own mechanisms.

You will notice remarkable improvement right after the procedure. Dr. Darling will recommend that you keep your leg bandaged for two days.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Darling, call us at (816) 792-3400, or fill out our appointment request form online.