Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is a treatment that involves injecting a painless saline injection which collapses the vein, which is then absorbed into the bloodstream. This treatment method works well on small to medium sized veins. Typically, multiple treatments are required.
The upside is that this treatment is completely painless and little to no downtime is involved. The downside is that it doesn’t always work well with larger varicose veins situated deep under the skin. There is also the risk of having an allergic reaction to the injection. This is extremely rare but can be serious if left untreated.
Phlebectomy
Phlebectomy, also known as “vein stripping”, is a surgical treatment that involves making small cuts and removing the entire vein. This treatment eliminates the potential for problem veins to reappear, as it completely removes the affected vein. However, it doesn’t prevent other veins from becoming damaged in the same area.
The downside of a phlebectomy is that it’s more invasive. That means there is more risk involved and it requires more recovery time than other treatments. Since other methods can be just as effective, surgeons usually don’t see a need for the added risk. As such phlebectomy is used less often than both sclerotherapy and laser removal.
Laser Vein Removal
Laser vein removal utilizes laser energy to heat the inside of the vein. This results in the destruction and reabsorption of the vein into the body. This procedure is minimally invasive and typically requires two to six treatments depending on the location and size of the problem veins. Laser removal falls somewhere between sclerotherapy and phlebectomy. It’s not as invasive as a phlebectomy but it does cause more discomfort than sclerotherapy.
Laser removal is effective at treating all types of problem veins and it’s particularly good for treating patients who dislike needles or those who are allergic to the solution used in sclerotherapy. The downsides are that it involves more downtime and can be more expensive than sclerotherapy.
Which treatment works best will depend on a number of factors including where your problem veins are located, how large they are, your medical history, and how long you can afford to spend recovering. In order to determine the right method for you, it’s best to get in touch with an experienced cosmetic surgeon. They will be able to tell you more about what you as an individual can expect from each treatment.
Are you looking for an experienced cosmetic surgeon to perform your laser vein removal? Dr. DeMercurio has over 9 years of experience in the field. Please, contact us at The Florida Center for Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery today to find out which treatment will work best for your problem veins.
