(636) 399-5590
| 16216 Baxter Road, Suite 250, Chesterfield, MO 63017
16216 Baxter Rd, Suite 250
Chesterfield, MO 63017
(636) 399-5590
| 16216 Baxter Road, Suite 250, Chesterfield, MO 63017
16216 Baxter Rd, Suite 250
Chesterfield, MO 63017
Varicose veins are caused by an underlying vein disease known as venous insufficiency. This abnormality causes venous dilatation due to increased intravenous pressure, which not only creates an unsightly appearance of the legs, but also leads to pain, swelling, and non-healing ulcers as the intravenous pressure increases. This pressure is transferred down the legs causing spider veins and large varicose veins.
Spider veins are small, blue, or red vessels visible within the skin often arranged in clusters with multiple branches. They are often unsightly, and in many cases prevent patients from wearing shorts or bathing suits. The spider veins are superficial vessels with a diameter between 1 to 3 millimeters.
These veins are larger than 2 mm in diameter, but smaller than varicose veins. They do not protrude above the skin as varicose veins do. In addition to the unsightly vein cluster in the legs, they may cause pain and discomfort in the surrounding areas. Besides, reticular veins can also feed into spider veins, causing excess blood that fills the dilated venules. Due to this relationship sometimes removing the reticular vein can help to eliminate spider veins.
Varicose veins are large, dilated, ropy-appearing veins which appears any where from the foot to the groin. They are often unsightly, and larger than ¼ inch in diameter. They appear as a result of leaking or incompetent vein valves. In most cases are branches of the saphenous veins that are deeper veins in the legs. Many factors, such as pregnancy, heredity, obesity, trauma, and occupation increase the risk of varicose vein formation. Contemporary treatment options for varicose veins, such as microphlebectomy, sclerotherapy, and endovenous laser ablation, are minimally invasive alternatives to previous obsolete surgical procedures such as vein stripping. The legs are evaluated with doppler ultrasound to determine if they have incompetent deeper veins causing reflux into the superficial venous system leading to varicose vein formation.
The size of the vein is an important factor to determine the best treatment option. Very small vessels, less than 0.3 mm such as those in telangiectatic matting, are very difficult to cannulate. These veins are excellent candidates to be treated with Lasers. Veins between 0.3 to 1.5 mm still respond well to lasers, but can be treated with sclerotherapy if they are able to be cannulated. Medium size veins between 1.5 to 3 mm respond moderately well to lasers, however sclerotherapy is the first choice. Lasers have a very limited role treating vessels larger than 3 mm.
Reticular or larger varicose veins should be eliminated first surgically by microphlebectomy, or using endovenous laser ablation, followed by sclerotherapy of the remaining veins, from largest to smallest. Veins that do not respond to sclerotherapy that are too small to be injected, or that remain after sclerotherapy, should be considered for external Laser or IPL treatment. Another clear indication for laser and light sources is telangiectatic matting (multiple very tiny vessels usually less than 2 mm in diameter, that may appear often after sclerotherapy).
This medical procedure involves an injection of a sclerosant solution directly into the vein. This solution irritates the inner lining of the blood vessel, causing it to collapse and stick together, then the vein turns into scar tissue that fades away in 3 to 9 months, but they may last indefinitely. Some patients are not eligible if they are pregnant, have risk factors to deep vein clot or are needle phobic.
This procedure involves a needle insertion into the saphenous vein under ultrasound guidance, then a guide wire is placed through the needle, then a catheter sheath is guided over the wire into the access site. Finally, the laser fiber is inserted through the sheath into the saphenous vein. Following the placement of the laser fiber, the whole length of the vein is numbed with tumescent anesthesia, then the laser is activated and slowly withdrawn. This enables shrinkage and closure of the saphenous vein.
Lasers and intensive pulsed light are used to treat small veins. Lasers are effective treating veins usually less than 3 mm in diameter. They are capable of penetrating 2 to 3 mm into the skin. The long pulsed: Nd YAG 1064 laser, has less absorption by melanin and less probability for epidermal damage, even in darker skin patients. Veins between 0.5 to 3 mm in diameter respond well to laser treatment. On the other hand, IPL treatment has shown to be effective treating veins less than 1 mm in diameter however, multiple treatments are needed.
At Slim Image Cosmetic Center, we offer all these treatment modalities to reduce or eliminate your spider, reticular or large varicose veins. Call our office to schedule a complimentary consultation to learn more about customized treatment modalities for spider, reticular or varicose veins.
16216 Baxter Road, Suite 250, Chesterfield, MO 63017
Call us today to schedule your consultation!
During your visit, you’ll meet personally with Dr. Ramos or Dr. Pawlikowski, who will provide you with a complete understanding of the available cosmetic procedures that will best match your aesthetic needs.
Office: (636) 399-5590
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.