Let’s talk about your legs. If you’re self-conscious about the appearance of dark or twisted veins on your legs, or if your legs cause you pain, it might be time to find a solution for your varicose veins. Fortunately, the experts at North Texas Vein and Vascular in Flower Mound, TX know that sclerotherapy is one of the best treatment options for varicose and spider veins – particularly because the results of this treatment last for such a long time.
Once your results have been finalized, you can expect to enjoy these results for a long period of time. In fact, the results of your sclerotherapy treatment are permanent because veins that have been treated with the special solution will not return. The fact that this treatment closes damaged veins forever is one of the broader appeals for many patients.
That being said, permanently getting rid of your current varicose veins doesn’t protect you from the possibility of developing new varicose veins or spider veins in the future. This treatment is incredibly precise and only closes veins that are being treated, and while that will permanently remove your current vascular concerns, the smooth appearance of your legs will depend on how well you take care of your legs after your recovery period.
If you want your legs to look healthy and smooth for as long as possible, then your top priority should be preventing new varicose veins from forming in the future. Ultimately, preventing future varicose veins boils down to lifestyle choices you can make. While you may not be able to change genetic factors that make it more likely for you to develop vascular concerns, you can change your daily habits. Some preventative methods you may want to consider include:
Vascular concerns are more likely to appear on those who are moderately overweight since this places more stress on the veins in the leg and, over time, causes the vein walls to stretch and twist. Managing your weight to be healthy for your age and height is one of the most effective methods to prevent future varicose veins from appearing.
Your regular physician will be able to recommend the ideal weight for your age, gender, and height. While some physicians rely on BMI to determine healthy body weight, other measurements may paint a more complete picture. For example, body fat composition and waist-to-hip ratio are both good measures to determine if your body weight is within a normal and healthy range.
Getting regular exercise is another important preventative measure. Not only will regular cardiovascular exercise benefit your cardiovascular health and make it easier for you to manage your weight, but it will also encourage blood to flow more swiftly through your body which will prevent the pooling in your lower extremities that contribute to varicose veins.
For most adults, adequate cardiovascular exercise is at least three hours a week. Using a heart monitor app may help you determine if your exercise is taxing enough to work your cardiovascular system. Good exercises include jogging, swimming, dancing, and cycling. Regular walking is also beneficial.
If your daily routine, including work, means that you are stationary for significant portions of time, then this may be a contributing factor to the development of varicose and spider veins. Both standing and sitting for long periods of time will cause blood to pool in your lower extremities. Taking breaks and moving around once an hour, even if it’s just to switch from standing to sitting or walking around the room, may be beneficial for preventing further varicose veins.
Wearing compression socks after your recovery period may be helpful. Compression socks or stockings place pressure on the legs that help smoothly direct blood flow, which means the blood in your legs will not be able to pool as easily. You can wear compression socks during your work shift if you stand or sit for long periods of time or during your daily exercise.
One or more of your medications may be contributing factors to your current varicose veins. If this is the case, then you may want to speak with your regular physician about changing your medications or altering dosages to lower the vascular side effects.
If you think sclerotherapy is the right treatment to help you smooth the appearance of your legs, then the time to get started on your treatment is as soon as possible. Provided you are eligible for this treatment, you will be able to have sclerotherapy at any time of the year. If you want to get started with your treatment right away, you can take your first treatment steps today with the following methods.
At North Texas Vein and Vascular, we have an online vein assessment form that essentially pre-screens you for this treatment. We gather information about your vascular history, including family history, as well as any current symptoms you may have. After filling in your contact information and submitting the form, someone in our office will contact you about scheduling a consultation appointment.
If you don’t want to take the online vein assessment, you can always contact our office directly to schedule your consultation. Your consultation appointment is an important step since it allows us to assess the condition of your legs to determine if sclerotherapy is a good choice for you, or if a different vascular treatment is more appropriate.
Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment that involves the use of a special chemical formula that, once injected into the affected vein, will irritate the vein wall and cause the vein to collapse. Once the vein collapses, it is eventually absorbed and discarded through normal bodily functions, and blood flow is directed to healthy veins in the body.
Your treatment will usually take about 30 minutes to one hour to complete depending on the number of veins that are being treated. If you are only treating spider veins or minor varicose veins, you can expect your treatment appointment to take 30 minutes, while more severe vascular conditions or a larger number of varicose veins may require additional time.
Although this treatment involves the use of a chemical agent, there isn’t much you will need to do to prepare for your treatment. You may not want to shave or wax your legs for one to three days before your appointment and you must avoid tanning beds and direct unprotected sunlight on your legs for at least one month. On the day of your appointment, you will be asked to dress in loose comfortable clothing, such as a dress, skirt, or shorts, and to not apply lotion to your legs.
Some patients who bruise easily or who wish to have a swifter recovery time may want to prepare for this treatment by using an Arnica Montana supplement. Studies indicate that Arnica herbal supplements help the body heal faster after acute trauma, which means you may experience less swelling, bruising, or bleeding. You should take these supplements at least three to five days before your appointment.
After your appointment, the most important thing you will need to do is wear compression socks or stockings as directed. Usually, we encourage patients to wear compression socks for at least 14 days for the majority of each day, except for sleeping and bathing, to help their legs heal more quickly and comfortably.
You will need to avoid excessive exercising and hot water, including saunas and hot tubs, to minimize any swelling in your legs for at least one week following your treatment. It’s also important that you wear high-strength SPF on your legs when you are outside for at least one month after your appointment.
The vast majority of our patients only require one treatment session to correct the appearance of varicose and spider veins. The powerful chemical used for your vascular injections is usually strong enough to collapse about 80% of treated veins. However, you may have a few veins that require further treatment. During a follow-up appointment, we may determine that you need a second treatment to achieve your appearance goals.
How quickly you will be able to see the results of this treatment will depend on the size of the veins that are being treated. For example, treating spider veins and small varicose veins may produce results in as little as three to six weeks. Larger varicose veins, on the other hand, may require several more weeks to produce results. Most patients can enjoy their desired results within six months of their treatment appointment.
Absolutely! Not all vascular concerns can be addressed by the same treatment, and if that’s the case for you then there is no need to worry. We have a variety of vascular treatments that can be used to treat varicose veins at every level of severity. During your consultation, we may explore some of these additional treatment options to help you create a customized treatment plan that will correct the appearance of your varicose veins.
There are a few causes for varicose and spider veins. Strictly speaking, these vascular conditions only happen when vein walls are stressed; however, several potential causes could place stress on vein walls. Being overweight, pregnancy, and hormones, as well as family history are all common factors for developing varicose veins.
Both men and women suffer from some type of vascular concern – an estimated 50% of women have varicose or spider veins, while about 25% of men have these vein conditions. These conditions are common and are not typically associated with greater health concerns.
Most adults who have varicose or spider veins are good candidates for this treatment. The best candidates do not have a history of certain drug allergies, do not have certain medical conditions, and are not currently pregnant.
It’s time to stop feeling self-conscious about the appearance of your legs and start getting proactive about resolving your vascular concerns. Sclerotherapy is a highly effective minimally invasive treatment appropriate for the treatment of varicose and spider veins. Contact us at North Texas Vein and Vascular in Flower Mound, TX to schedule your consultation today.
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