The appearance of varicose veins and spider veins on the legs can make many people feel self-conscious. Although these vein conditions are more common, many people experience symptoms such as pain in the legs that may motivate them to have vein treatments. But what else makes you eligible for sclerotherapy at Shenandoah Women’s Healthcare in Harrisonburg, VA?
Who Is a Good Candidate for Sclerotherapy?
There are a few qualifying factors that will make you an ideal candidate for sclerotherapy. Because this is a minimally invasive treatment, you will generally not have to consider the same risks as you would for an invasive surgical procedure, such as ambulatory phlebectomy. As an injectable treatment, this treatment is lower risk than other vein treatments. The signs you may be a good candidate for this treatment include:
You Are Bothered By Your Leg Appearance
If you are bothered by the appearance of varicose veins and spider veins in your legs, then you should consider sclerotherapy as a treatment. For purely aesthetic reasons, many people are bothered by the appearance of visible leg veins because they feel that it makes them look older.
Although you can try to cover up visible leg veins with dark pantyhose or certain cosmetics for the legs, varicose veins tend to have a raised appearance that makes them very hard to cover up completely. If you have tried other methods to improve your leg appearance with no success, then a vein treatment such as this one is a good idea.
You Have Disturbing Symptoms
If you have disturbing symptoms such as aching or pain in your legs, this could be a good reason to have this treatment. Varicose veins and spider veins are not associated with cardiovascular disease or other high-risk medical concerns; however, these vein conditions can cause aching in the legs.
Some people experience more aching in the legs after they’ve been on their feet for several hours or at night. If pain in your legs has become a cause of concern, or you cannot alleviate the pain by elevating your legs, it may be time to consider a vein treatment to reduce varicose veins.
You Are In the Right Age Range
The very best candidates for sclerotherapy are people who are between the ages of 30 and 60. Although varicose veins can show up earlier in life, the best age range for this treatment is during the middle phase of the lifespan. Additionally, the older you are for this treatment, the harder it is to reverse the appearance of visible veins in the legs. Your age may also elevate certain risk factors.
You Do Not Have Blood Clotting Issues
Candidates for vein treatments should not have a history of any blood clotting issues. If you have to take anticoagulants or you had previous strokes, you are not a good candidate for this treatment. Although sclerotherapy is relatively low risk, a history of blood clotting issues makes you ineligible because of the way the treatment works.
You Have Not Recently Been Pregnant
Finally, candidates for this treatment must not have been pregnant within the last three months. If you have been pregnant or you have given birth in the last three months, you will need to wait to have this procedure until the hormones in your body are more level.
Does This Treatment Work For Everyone?
Sclerotherapy is a treatment that generally works for everyone. This is because this treatment uses a special chemical to collapse the vein wall. Unlike other treatments that use laser or radiofrequency energy, the results of this particular vein treatment are much more predictable. Furthermore, most people do not have an allergy to the active ingredient used for this injectable treatment.
How Does This Treatment Work?
This treatment works by injecting the affected vein directly with a saline-based solution that irritates the vein walls and causes the vein to collapse. When this happens, the blood that normally runs through that vein is diverted to nearby healthy veins, while the collapsed vein is eventually absorbed into the body.
This treatment usually takes 30 to 60 minutes to complete based on the number of varicose veins or spider veins you are treating. Most people will only need one treatment to achieve optimal results.
How Long Until You See Results?
In general, it will take several weeks before you will see optimal results from this treatment. During the first one to two weeks, you may not notice any visible results. However, as the collapsed vein is absorbed into the body, the appearance of your varicose vein or spider vein will gradually fade from view.
Your results will develop faster if you follow your aftercare instructions correctly, such as wearing compression stockings for the recommended length of time.
What Should You Do Before Treatment?
Before your treatment, you may need to revise the medications you normally take. For example, if you take anti-inflammatory medications or blood-thinning medications, it’s usually recommended that you discontinue these medications for at least one to two weeks before your appointment.
You may also need to reconsider certain herbal supplements you are taking, particularly those that can cause excessive bruising or blood thinning, which can include fish oil, ginkgo, and vitamin C.
What Is Your Aftercare Like?
Your aftercare instructions are generally easy to follow. For the most part, you will need to avoid strenuous exercise for at least one to two weeks. During the first 24 hours after your treatment, you should be able to engage in many light activities, including walking around your house, going back to work at a desk job, or running errands. You should avoid intense cardiovascular exercise, steam, hot water, and tanning beds for several days.
A major part of your aftercare instructions will be wearing compression stockings for most of the day for at least two weeks. Compression stockings are crucial for your recovery, as they will encourage blood flow to divert to nearby healthy veins. Compression stockings can also reduce any swelling in the legs and help you recover more quickly.
How Long Will Results Last?
The results of this vein treatment are intended to last for a long time. Many people can use the treatment once and enjoy results for over 10 years. You may be able to enjoy longer results if you can prevent the development of spider veins and varicose veins in the future.
Because one of the common causes of varicose veins and spider veins is thought to be hormonal fluctuations, particularly in women, there may not be much you can do to prevent some varicose veins from returning. You may need to have repeat treatments five to 10 years down the road for new varicose veins or spider veins that develop.
Can Lifestyle Changes Help Results Last Longer?
Although there isn’t anything you can do to alter your hormones to prevent varicose veins and spider veins from developing, there are some lifestyle changes you can make to help your results last longer. Some of these lifestyle changes include:
Change Your Activity Level
You may want to consider changing your activity level. For example, if you lead a sedentary lifestyle, your blood flow and blood pressure may not be optimal for preventing varicose veins. If you engage in light to moderate activity several times a week, you will likely notice improvements in your overall health that will help prevent vein concerns from developing in the future.
Furthermore, if you have to sit or stand for a long time for your work, you should consider incorporating short breaks to take pressure off your legs or increase blood flow, as this will make the blood flow in your legs healthier.
Manage Healthy Weight
It’s also important to manage your body weight. When your body weight is excessive, this places more pressure on the veins in your legs, which can cause these veins to swell. By having a healthy body weight, such as by sticking to your BMI range, you can potentially prevent the development of spider veins and varicose veins.
Reduce the Appearance of Varicose Veins and Spider Veins Today
If you’re bothered by the appearance of spider veins and varicose veins, it may be time to consider using a vein treatment to improve your appearance. A treatment such as sclerotherapy has many good candidates and can produce long-lasting results. If you think the treatment is right for you, get in touch with Shenandoah Women’s Healthcare in Harrisonburg, VA, to schedule your appointment today.