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Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery Dr. Eugene Nowak- 336 Oxford St., Suite 101 (619) 420-1840 Home | Skin Rejuvenation | Credentials | Appointments | Location|
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Varicose Veins, Spider Veins, Treatment
You could probably live with your spider veins, but why should you if they are so easy to get rid of? This may be a great time to consider eliminating those really unattractive veins that have been accumulating on your legs. In addition to never having to hide you legs again, this treatment has many benefits. Spider vein procedure will:
If you have spider veins and their appearance bothers you, then you may be a good candidate for removal. Do the following conditions apply to you?
If these phrases sound familiar and you would like to explore removal, we suggest you arrange a consultation with Dr. Nowak. Women of any age may be good candidates for vein treatment, but most fall in the 30-to-60 category. In some women, spider veins may become noticeable very early on - in the teen years. For others, the veins may not become obvious until they reach their 40s. Please note: Spider veins in men aren't nearly as common as they are in women. Men who do have spider veins often don't consider them to be a cosmetic problem because the veins are usually concealed by hair growth on the leg. However, vein treatment is just as effective for men who seek treatment. It's important that you don't confuse "spider veins" with varicose veins. They are very different. Varicose veins are larger, usually more than 1/4 inch thick. They are darker in color and tend to bulge. Varicose veins are more likely to cause pain and are related to more serious vein problems. Although occasionally this procedure will be used to treat varicose veins, for the most part a surgical treatment is required. You've probably been thinking about this for a long time. So a consultation is a great opportunity to learn as much as possible so you can make an informed decision whether this procedure is right for you. There is no risk or pressure. During your consultation, Dr. Nowak will examine your legs and draw a simple sketch of your legs, mapping out the areas affected by spider veins or other problems. You will be checked for signs of more serious "deep vein" problems, often indicated by swelling, soreness, or skin changes at the ankle. A hand-held Doppler ultrasound device is used to detect any backflow within the venous system. If you have problems with larger veins, they must be treated first. If they are not, vein treatment of the surface veins will be unsuccessful. Dr. Nowak will ask you about any other problems you may have with your legs, such as pain, aching, itching or tenderness. You will also be asked about your medical history, medications you take, or conditions that would preclude you from having treatment. Individuals with hepatitis, AIDS or other blood-borne diseases may not be candidates for vein treatment. Patients with circulatory problems, heart conditions, or diabetes may also be advised against treatment. Once it's been decided that you are a good candidate, the procedure will be explained to you in detail. So call Dr. Nowak to confirm your appointment at (619)420-1840. No anesthesia is necessary for "spider" vein removal. Spider vein treatment is relatively easy and painless. A treatment can take from 15 to 45 minutes. You will need to put on shorts, or uncover your legs in some fashion. After that, your legs may be photographed for medical records. You'll then lie down on the examining table or chair for the treatment. Dr. Nowak will utilize bright, indirect light and magnification to help ensure that the process is done with maximum precision. Once the skin over your spider veins is cleaned with an antiseptic solution, Dr. Nowak will stretch the skin taut and begin injecting the sclerosing agent into the affected veins. The solution irritates the vein lining, causing a small, inconsequential clot in the vein. With the blood flow stopped, the vein will eventually disappear. Approximately one injection is administered for every inch of spider vein - anywhere from five to 40 injections per treatment session. A cotton ball and compression tape is applied to each area of the leg as it is finished. During the procedure, you may listen to music, read, or just talk to your practitioner. You may be asked to shift positions a few times during the process, depending on the location of your veins. As the procedure continues, you will feel small needle sticks and possibly a mild burning sensation. However, the needle used is so thin and the sclerosing solution is so mild that pain is usually minimal. The veins worked on will be gone permanently. But the process may need to be repeated, depending on the degree of severity and the number of veins to be treated. If you are prone to these types of veins, you run the risk of having new ones appear in the future. It's interesting to note that even though his procedure has been done in Europe for the last 50 years, it's only recently become popular in this country. The reason? The development of a "sclerosing" agent (the solution injected into the veins) that's mild enough to be used in small veins. Once this was accomplished, it made the procedure predicable and fairly painless. Recovery is very quick and easy. If compression tape and cotton balls were applied during the procedure, they can be removed within 2 days. Some patients won't require any bandages. If tight-fitting support hose were prescribed (to guard against blood clots and to promote healing) - you may be told to wear them for 72 hours or longer. Cramping in the legs for the first day or two after the injections is common. This temporary problem usually doesn't require medication. The veins that have been treated will look worse before they begin to look better -- but only for a short time. When the dressings are removed, you may notice bruising and reddish areas at the injection sites. If this occurs, the bruises will lessen and disappear within the first month. Some people experience a residual brownish pigmentation, which may take up to a year to completely fade. You probably won't want to show off your legs immediately, but other than this, you won't be limited in any physical way. Normal activity can be resumed immediately following the procedure. You will be encouraged to walk to prevent clots from forming in the deep veins of the legs. During the treatment period, prolonged sitting and standing should be avoided, as should squatting, heavy weight lifting and "pounding" type exercises, including jogging. If additional injections are required, you will have to wait a month to heal from your first procedure. After each treatment, you will notice further improvement of your legs' appearance. This procedure will eliminate only those veins it has worked on. So it's unrealistic to believe that every affected vein will disappear. This procedure treats only those veins that are currently visible. It will do nothing to prevent new veins from appearing in the future. Vein treatment will eliminate your existing "spider veins" for good. Most patients are pleased with the difference it makes. And are often surprised by the dramatic difference in appearance between a treated and an untreated site. The skin of your legs will appear younger, unblemished and more healthy-looking. If you've been wearing long skirts or slacks to hide your legs, you can "unveil" them once more. Fees vary from doctor to doctor as well as from one geographic location to another. Your cosmetic surgeon will discuss their fee structure during your consultation. Prices generally start at $300 per visit. In cases where there is a need for physical rather than cosmetic improvement, your insurance may cover some of the costs. So
CALL DR. NOWAK at (619) 420-1840 to
schedule an appointment to make you look
absolutely astonishing. |
