Is Sclerotherapy My Only Option for Varicose Veins?

Surgery
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Varicose veins are twisted, bulging veins that develop in your legs due to poor blood circulation and valve dysfunction in the vessel. If you hide your legs because of the noticeable veins or if varicose veins become painful, you may not need invasive procedures to treat them.

At Bergen Aesthetics, we offer noninvasive laser technologies to eliminate problem veins. Heripisme Ohanian, PhD, MD, FACOG, uses the Cutera® CoolGlide® system that targets large varicose veins deep in your legs and smaller spider veins near the surface of your skin.

Dr. Ohanian can improve the appearance of your legs without the discomfort sclerotherapy can cause.

Why you have varicose veins

Varicose veins form in weak or damaged veins when faulty valves allow blood to flow backward through the vessel. Blood pools in the vein, which causes it to bulge out from beneath your skin.

Risk factors for varicose veins include:

  • Obesity
  • Pregnancy
  • Constipation
  • Lack of physical activity

You may also be at increased risk for varicose veins if you have a family history of the condition or if you stand or sit at work for long periods of time.

Over time, the enlarged veins can grow bigger and become twisted. You might experience symptoms in your legs like heaviness, burning, or warmth as the pressure in the veins increases.

How CoolGlide technology works

The Cutera CoolGlide system uses long wavelengths of laser energy to destroy spider veins or varicose veins without the need for incisions. The energy travels through your skin without causing damage to the tissue.

The laser causes the blood in your vein to coagulate, which ultimately destroys the structure of the vessel. As the treated vein shrinks, your body naturally absorbs it and blood reroutes to healthier vessels nearby.

Because Dr. Ohanian stays in complete control of the laser throughout treatment, she can treat the varicose veins deep within your legs as well as the superficial spider veins in the more delicate areas of your body, including your face.

Benefits of CoolGlide

CoolGlide technology can treat any skin tone or type. Dr. Ohanian can adjust the laser energy levels to effectively treat damaged veins nearly anywhere in your body.

Laser vein treatments cause few side effects. While you might have some discomfort as the vein shrinks, you won’t have to schedule any downtime after your laser procedure. The laser can also cause some minor bruising in your skin that resolves within a few days.

It can take a few weeks for the vein to fade completely but many people notice a difference in the appearance of their skin soon after treatment.

Follow-up vein care

Varicose and spider veins can appear again if you don’t stay active and take care of your health.

Dr. Ohanian can recommend lifestyle and diet changes you can make to improve blood circulation and support your long-term vein health.

Changes may include getting at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, eating nutritious meals with plenty of fresh foods, and quitting smoking. If you’re overweight, we can also provide resources that help you lose excess pounds to reduce unnecessary pressure on your legs.

If you stand or sit a lot, you might benefit from wearing compression stockings that support blood circulation in your legs.

Call Bergen Aesthetics in Paramus, New Jersey, to find out if CoolGlide laser vein treatment is right for you or book an appointment online today.