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Veins
Tailored Leg Vein Treatments
VEIN TREATMENTS
LEG VEINS
Considering Sclerotherapy OR Non-Surgical Treatment for Varicose Veins? We Can Help…
Leg veins can be unsightly and in Queensland’s long hot summers they cause more discomfort by making sufferers unwilling to wear shorts or skirts. It is important to understand that leg veins are a medical issue as well. They tend to worsen with age, often ache and can end up causing circulation problems, swelling and ulcers. Early treatment prevents veins worsening and more expensive treatment being required at a later stage.
Smaller veins and spider veins are best treated with standard sclerotherapy. Modern techniques and solutions make this an effective and safe treatment. Most patients find the discomfort quite bearable and the introduction of Penthrox inhaled anaesthesia promises to make it pain-free for all. Unfortunately lasers cannot effectively treat leg veins and can be painful and hazardous.
Dr Christopher Leat at Envisage Cosmetic has performed sclerotherapy and UGS on many hundreds of patients. He offers all patients a free or bulk billed consultation and ultrasound. Colour duplex ultrasound is available onsite.
METHODS OF VEIN REMOVAL
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is the treatment of veins with small injections. It is generally considered to be the best treatment for surface veins, allowing for the treatment of larger blue “feeding” veins and spider veins of all sizes. Doctors have treated leg veins with injections for decades, but recent developments have rendered this treatment, safer, more effective, and more comfortable than ever.
Treatment sessions take about 30-45 minutes and afterwards generally support stockings are worn for 2 weeks. Normal activities can be undertaken immediately with no time needed off work. Generally 2-6 treatment sessions are needed.
Results are generally very good, although perfection is hard to achieve. Leg veins have a tendency to return over time so often further treatments are needed every few years.
Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy (UGS).
Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy (UGS) is the injection of larger veins under ultrasound visualisation. It can be used to treat many larger varicose veins. It is not quite as effective as EVLT Laser but is often a much more affordable option.
SURGICAL STRIPPING
Over 30 years ago surgical stripping of veins was the only option for larger varicose veins, but it is rarely performed nowadays. Surgery is generally expensive and leaves scars. Surgery can permanently damage nerves, carries all the potential complications of anaesthesia, and generally necessitates two weeks of downtime. More importantly studies have consistently shown that it is often ineffective – in fact the veins return within 3-5 years in 30-50% of cases.
Laser treatment (EVLT)
Laser treatment is a highly effective method of treating larger varicose veins. In this treatment a large volume of local anaesthetic is injected around the vein to be treated, then a laser wire is inserted into the vein to heat the vein from the inside. EVLT costs approximately $3,000-4,000 and has over a 90% success rate. It is not currently offered by Envisage Clinic.
Laser and IPL for surface veins
Generally laser and IPL for surface veins is considered less effective than sclerotherapy. With these treatments the therapist needs to flash enough light energy into the skin to heat and close off the veins. Generally treatments are more painful than sclerotherapy with more risk of burning or scarring the skin and much less chance of an effective outcome. They are generally only offered by clinics which do not have a doctor available or trained for sclerotherapy. Envisage Clinic offers IPL for leg veins where clinically indicated.
Veins on the face
Facial blood vessels are usually treated with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL). Larger or resistant vessels can be treated at Envisage Clinic with radiofrequency needling or with sclerotherapy injections.
Veins on the body
Veins can be treated with sclerotherapy injections or with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) on almost any body area, including the chest, abdomen hands and arms.
Regain your self-confidence with Envisage Clinic on the Gold Coast. We offer a range of leg vein treatments to help patients reduce the appearance of varicose veins. To organise a consultation, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.
