Sclerotherapy

Spider veins can be successfully treated with injection sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy is the most popular method of eliminating spider veins. This is the “gold standard” and is more effective and less expensive than lasers (for spider veins, not varicose veins). An FDA-approved medication called sotradecol is injected into the veins using very tiny needles. Your physician will develop a treatment plan for your individual case.

HOME | CONTACT US | ABOUT US

This solution causes an irritation to the inner lining of the vein resulting in closure of the vein. The vein stops carrying blood and therefore disappears with time. The majority of people who have sclerotherapy performed have satisfying results and little discomfort.

Treatment differs from patient to patient, depending on the extent of the varicosities (size and number). An average of three to four treatments is required in most cases to achieve a 70%-80% clearing; 100% is not a realistic goal. The treatment sessions last approximately 15 minutes and are done at four to six week intervals to achieve optimal results.

After completion of the initial series of recommended treatments, successfully treated veins are either gone or are much less noticeable. However, patients with a history of spider veins tend to develop new ones (with or without treatment) and a yearly touch up may become necessary. If you have leaking valves in your deep veins, you will likely continue to develop spider veins if the underlying cause is not treated.

Sclerotherapy is a treatment for spider veins, not a cure.

Learn more about spider veins.

RETURN TO TOP

Endovenous Laser Vein Ablation

Varicose veins caused by reflux in the superficial saphenous vein can be successfully treated with endovenous ablation. Lasers and radiofrequency ablation (high energy ultrasound) have been used safely for many different medical applications throughout the body. In recent years, small fibers have been used successfully to deliver heat energy to treat varicose veins. These methods allow your doctor to close off the diseased superficial vein that contains leaking valves, thus preventing any further reflux (backwards flow of blood) into your varicose veins. Your physician will develop a treatment plan for your individual case.

The procedure is usually performed in the doctor’s office and takes about one hour. You will have a local anesthesia and we may use a mild sedative thus eliminating the need for hospitalization and general anesthesia. A laser catheter is placed into the diseased vein. Thermal energy is delivered to the vein wall and this causes the leaking, diseased vein to close off so it does not continue to leak blood into the varicose veins.

Recovery is quick. Patients are encouraged to begin walking the same day and return to normal activities the next day. You should delay strenuous exercise for one week. The vast majority of patients have very satisfying results and little discomfort. Few really complain of significant pain during or after the procedure. Patients typically describe an aching, burning or pulling sensation.

Once you have decided to proceed with endovenous laser therapy, you will be asked to come to the office to view a video on the procedure, discuss pre-procedure guidelines, discuss consent and sedation if desired, review financial issues with insurance and be measured for new stockings if you need them. This visit usually takes about 30 minutes and any further questions will be answered.

Learn more about varicose veins.

RETURN TO TOP

Ambulatory Phlebectomy

Often used after endovenous laser ablation, phlebectomy involves the actual removal of branches of varicose veins through tiny incisions in your skin that are usually closed with only tape strips. The skin is numbed with a local injection and special instruments are used to remove the veins through tiny incisions.

In most cases, you can resume normal activities the following day. When you leave the office after phlebectomy, those big bulging veins that have bothered you for years will be gone!! Tiny spider veins may persist and can be treated with sclerotherapy if they do not go away.

Learn more about varicose veins.

RETURN TO TOP

You may still require sclerotherapy and/or tiny incisions to remove additional varicose veins after this procedure. We will also do an ultrasound several days after the procedure to check the status of the treated vein.

Cynosure® Surface Laser

At Laser Vein Center of Fairbanks, our Cynosure® Surface Laser is used to treat a wide variety of conditions both on the face or the body, including spider veins on the face and legs, port-wine birth marks, angiomas, hemangiomas, inflammatory acne, psoriasis, warts and sun-damaged skin. Red, blue or purple leg and facial veins can be a result of sun exposure, use of oral contraception, hormone therapy, age or genetics.

Port-Wine Birthmark Before (left) and After (right)

Leg and facial veins are bothersome at best, unattractive at worst. Fortunately, with cosmetic laser treatment, you can make yourself look and feel a whole lot better— often times, with as little as only one or two visits.

A cosmetic laser emits a prescribed dose of energy to the vein. The laser “selectively” targets the problem veins while sparing surrounding areas. After treatment, the vessel will naturally disappear. Typically only one or two treatments are required and results can be seen in 3–4 weeks. Treatment time usually varies between 10 and 20 minutes, depending on the size of the area treated. The treatment causes only minimal discomfort. Any redness or swelling should be gone within a day and you’ll be able to resume normal activities immediately.

Learn more about the conditions we can treat with Cynosure® Surface Laser.

Facial Spider Veins Before (left) and After (right)