Watch Dr. Mejia perform sclerotherapy procedure in this video.
Leg Vein Treatment
For some individuals, home treatment is enough to improve the appearance of varicose leg veins, however, others might need treatment from an experienced dermatologist.
What are Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins are blood vessels visible beneath the skin on the legs. Varicose veins are a result of blood running backward away from the heart due to valves not closing properly. The blood that runs back can stretch the veins and leak into the ankles and leg tissue. This results in other discomforts such as:
- Swelling in the legs and ankles
- Cramping and throbbing that worsens at night
- Heavy feeling in the legs
While these symptoms can be bothersome, most individuals are more concerned with the unpleasant appearance of veins.
What are Leg Vein Treatment Options?
If your leg veins are mild to moderate, your dermatologist might recommend trying some at-home treatment options such as:
- Wearing compression stockings which squeeze the legs to move blood more efficiently
- Elevating the legs
- Avoiding long periods of standing
- Exercising and losing weight
If leg veins do not improve with at-home care or are severe, Ricardo Mejia, MD might recommend one of the following treatments:
- Sclerotherapy: a solution is injected into the varicose veins to scar and close the veins, fading their appearance.
- Laser Surgery: laser therapy can be done to close off small varicose veins by sending pulses of heat energy into the veins, fading their appearance.
- Catheter-Assisted Procedure: a catheter can be heated using radiofrequency or laser energy and then used to destroy and collapse larger veins.
Your dermatologist will likely suggest a combination of in-office and at-home treatment options. Your unique treatment plan will depend on the size and severity of your varicose veins.
If you are bothered by varicose leg veins, contact Jupiter Dermatology to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist and start receiving proper treatment.
