Spider veins are small dilated vessels most commonly found
on the legs. They are often seen with larger varicose veins.
Spider and varicose veins are caused by genetic tendencies
for valves in deeper veins to divert blood into smaller surface
vessels. These small red and blue veins enlarge with pregnancy,
sun damage, and prolonged standing. Sometimes varicose veins,
or even patches of small spider veins, can cause pain.
The main treatment for spider veins is sclerotherapy. This procedure involves injecting a sclerosing agent , which irritates the lining of the veins, causing them to collapse and eventually dry up and reabsorb. In some cases deeper veins or incompetent valves must be treated first to stop the diversion of blood into the smaller vessels. Sclerotherapy can then be used to clear up the remaining spider veins. Although a variety of agents have been used for injection into spider veins, many are not FDA approved and are thus not legally available in the United States. STS (sotradecol sulfate) and hypertonic saline are the two main sclerosing agents employed in the US. Both can provide excellent results but must typically
be used several times in order sufficiently clear areas of spider veins.
The procedure is quite simple to undergo, although it may
produce moderate temporary pain. A tiny needle is used to inject the solution into the vein, which is then covered with pressure,
usually elastic tape. Once a session is completed, there is usually no pain after leaving the office. Patients are instructed to wear
support hose for several days postoperatively to prevent bruising,
and to allow the treatment to give the best results. Most patients
can return to normal activities the day after sclerotherapy.
Lasers are not nearly as effective as sclerotherapy for treating
leg veins. Laser treatments are more expensive as well. Lasers
can however be useful in treating the tiniest veins that are too
small to inject. Eventually lasers are expected to improve and may
one day be
as effective as sclerotherapy.
Larger veins of the legs may require surgical removal or
"closure". Removal of small segments of dilated
veins is termed ambulatory phlebectomy. This can be performed
under local anesthesia. It leaves only small scars. Varicose
veins and leaking valves can be treated from inside the vein
using radiofrequency closure or special lasers. These instruments
are passed up the vein and used to close the damaged vein
from the inside out. This technique can also be performed
under local anesthesia.
Dialated blood vessels on the face are similar to spider
veins on the legs but usually treated in an entirely different
fashion. These small facial vessels respond nicely to lasers
or electrosurgery. Occasionally, sclerotherapy is also used
for large or stubborn facial vessels. After treatment of facial
vessels there is usually redness for 24 hours. However most
women can wear makeup the day after and appear in public.
Just like leg veins,facial vessels may also require several
treatments to achieve satisfactory results.
Why choose us for treating your leg veins and facial vessels?
Dr. Coleman has performed these treatments for over 20 years.
Proper treatment of enlarged vessels requires experience and
a thorough knowledge of technique. Having performed thousands
of these procedures Dr. Coleman is especially qualified to
help you with these problems.
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Various tumors and growths can alter a person’s appearance.
That beauty mark from your youth can become quite ugly as
it enlarges with age. Furthermore, some growths that appear
in the sun-exposed areas of the body can be cancerous.
Whether the growth is benign or malignant it is important
that you have the best cosmetic result after it is removed.
The key to this is meticulous surgical technique in the hands
of an experienced doctor. When a growth is “shaved”
or “burned” off it often leaves an indented scar.
The best way to achieve the ideal cosmetic appearance after
removing a growth is to “excise it”. This involves
carefully removing an oval piece of tissue and then carefully
suturing the edges back together. Although all surgery on
the skin leaves a scar, why not have the least scar possible?
HAIR
REMOVAL
Hair is good thing when it is on the head, but can be a bad
thing on the upper lip of a female. Many women have areas
of excess hair that they are constantly troubled with. Waxing,
shaving, and depilatories work well to remove hair but it
always come back. Thankfully there are more successful methods
for removing hair.
Electrolysis is a time-tried method of removing individual
hairs by destroying the hair follicle with a tiny electric
needle. The success of this approach depends on the skill
of the electrologist. Generally several sessions are needed
to permanently remove excess hair. Because each hair follicle
must be treated individually, electrolysis is quite time consuming
and works best for limited areas of excess hair.
Laser Resurfacing is a newer procedure in which a laser beam
is used to destroy excess hair. The beam also has some effects
on the hair follicle, although to date no laser has been developed
which permanently destroys hair follicles. Instead lasers
can achieve “permanent” reduction of hair. This
means that the amount of hair in the area can be reduced on
a long-term basis. Patients who have laser surgery for hair
removal can expect several repeat procedures to achieve the
best results. Some people need to continue to have treatments
on a regular basis to maintain the correction. The advantage
of laser hair removal over electrolysis is that large areas
can be treated more conveniently. Thus this is ideal for people
with significant facial hair, pubic hair, and even hair under
the arms and on the legs. Men sometime chose laser hair removal
for excess hair on the body, especially the back. Since the
laser is a surgical instrument which can cause significant
damage, including scarring, it is very important to chose
a physician experienced in hair removal. Although in most
states, non-physicians are not allowed to use lasers, there
is sometimes very little oversight and there have been numerous
horror stories of patients injured by non-physicians attempting
to perform this procedure.
All of the pioneers and leaders in laser hair removal are
dermatologists. We recently conducted a poll of dermatologists
who perform laser removal and found that the top laser experts
meet with the patient for each treatment and do not simply
delegate the procedure to an assistant. To protect yourself,
always be sure that a physician, preferably a dermatologist,
oversees any laser treatment, including hair removal.
Contact us today if your a candidate
for this procedure or if you have any questions.
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