Spider veins are an extremely common concern and appear as small, purple or red net patterns on the legs of both men and women. The cause is mostly hereditary but contributing factors are pregnancy and hormonal changes. Spider veins are not painful and are formed by the dilation of small blood vessels in the skin. Fortunately they are not a health risk and most patients seek treatment for reasons of appearance.
Varicose veins are large blue blood vessels that are often uncomfortable and result from dilation of the vein wall or leakage of valves within the veins. At the Institute of Cosmetic and Laser Surgery we do not treat varicose veins, as surgical intervention is commonly necessary.
At the time of consultation a full ultrasound with be performed on the legs in order to identify any serious problems with blood flow, which is known as “reflux.” Reflux occurs when one or both of the main valves found in your legs are not performing correctly, which puts extra strain on the vessels in your legs. At the time of treatment, a very small needle is used to inject sclerosing solution (composed of sugar and water) into the spider vein. The injected solution closes the abnormal vein, which eventually becomes re–absorbed by the body.
We do encourage patients to wear compression stockings or support hose for at least six days following treatment. We do provide prescriptions to Kinetic Konnection in Oakville to purchase these compression stockings.
To find out if sclerotherapy – leg vein treatment is right for you, please contact our knowledgeable staff at our Oakville office, between Hamilton and Toronto, Ontario for your consultation. Dr. Sheetal Sapra and our nursing staff will be able to provide you with all of the information you need to make the most informed decision.
