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Sclerotherapy in NYC

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Treat Visible Veins with Sclerotherapy

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Treat Visible Veins in NYC with Sclerotherapy

You likely will not give much thought to your veins - until a problem arises. Suddenly, we notice a change with the visible appearance of “spider veins” or varicose veins. They most often resemble red or blue lines and some can get swollen or raised. The legs are where these veins usually appear; particularly on the calves and behind the knees. At SoVous, our aesthetic specialists offer Sclerotherapy to reduce the appearance of visible veins and restore your smooth skin — without surgery.

Beautiful Sclerotherapy client
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What is the Sclerotherapy Laser?

The Sclerotherapy 1064 Nd Yag Laser is superior to other lasers because it allows the precise treatment of visible blood vessels, broken capillaries, spider veins, vascular lesions, and discolorations of the skin.

The 1064 Nd Yag Laser uses a wavelength of light to harmlessly penetrate the top layer of the skin. It targets the dilated blood vessels beneath the skin’s surface, breaking them apart to be naturally absorbed by the body. It also seals the leaky blood vessel.

Client getting Sclerotherapy treatment
Client getting Sclerotherapy treatment
Client getting Sclerotherapy treatment
Client getting Sclerotherapy treatment
Hands holding Sclerotherapy needle
Client getting Sclerotherapy treatment
Sclerotherapy laser treatment device
Client getting Sclerotherapy laser treatment on her cheek
Client getting Sclerotherapy laser treatment on her face
Client getting Sclerotherapy laser treatment on her arm
Client getting Sclerotherapy laser treatment on her forehead
Doctor adjusting Sclerotherapy laser settings

What is Sclerotherapy?

Lisa Chevalier - SoVous Med Spa New York

Sclerotherapy is a technique to treat faulty blood vessels that commonly form on our lower legs and thighs (e.g. "spider veins"). Though treatments have evolved over-time, Sclerotherapy (the act of closing off a vessel with an FDA-approved sclerosing agent) has remained the “gold standard” in treating vascular malformations for over 150 years. Injection Sclerotherapy may eliminate the need for an invasive surgical procedure.

Causes of vascular malformations are multifactorial and they can appear anywhere on the body but are most commonly found on the legs and to a lesser extent the face. Gender is the number one contributing factor to their development, with women being affected 4:1 to men. During pregnancy, changes in hormones cause the walls of our vessels to weaken and become thin. This causes blood to leak out and malformations to form.

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During pregnancy, there is an increase in blood volume, thus increasing blood pressure and further adding to the stress on these vessels. Lifestyle factors such as prolonged sitting or standing can also increase the tension on the closed valves causing them to fail, leading to vein distention. Other less common factors can potentiate these vascular malformations as well, such as repeat trauma, surgery, environmental damage such as extreme temperatures (saunas, sun, cold weather), chronic topical steroid treatments, and retinoid use to name a few.

These veins can result in bruising, throbbing, or a heavy feeling affecting our day-to-day routine. Almost half of all people over the age of 50 experience vein problems. But they aren't alone. Pregnant women and people with jobs that require a lot of standing are also susceptible to vein problems. The symptoms can increase over time, leading to more serious conditions that can affect your quality of life.

Lisa Chevalier - SoVous Med Spa New York

Laser Sclerotherapy Procedure

During the procedure, the laser’s chilled tip protects the superficial layers of the skin from heat damage and the cooling effect reduces discomfort. Because the laser emits light in a series of pulses, some patients describe the experience as a mild to moderate stinging sensation that feels a lot like a rubber band snapping against the skin. The laser can be easily adjusted to be appropriate for your specific skin type.

Following this procedure, you may notice a bruise-like discoloration for 3 to 4 days. You can expect it to fade to a pinkish or beige color, with complete skin clearing in 6 weeks to 6 months. The number and length of treatments required will depend on the size, location, and depth of the veins needing treatment.

Most cherry angiomas can be removed with the 1064 Nd Yag Laser in 1 treatment. Cynosure’s ND:Yag laser treatments deliver a precise dosage of energy to each vein to coagulate and close off the vessel. During your treatment, the energy is delivered through a special laser hand-piece to the targeted vein, in a series of brief pulses. The vessel then dies and is subsequently absorbed by your body. This energy is then absorbed by the blood vessels, but not the surrounding tissue. Treatments are most commonly applied to the legs and/or face and can also be used to address rosacea as well as broken capillaries.

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What can
Scleropathy Treat?

These simple treatments effectively treat both spider veins and varicose veins. Spider veins, or telangiectasias, are those small red, blue and purple blood vessels that appear most frequently on the face and thighs. Varicose veins are usually larger than 1/4 inch in diameter and may appear raised with a bluish color. They may also be related to more serious vein disorders and require a careful evaluation by your provider prior to treatment. These options will be discussed with you during your consultation with your Sclerotherapy NYC specialist.

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Why choose
SoVous

Our team of medical professionals has extensive experience helping those experiencing vein problems. We take the time to meet with you to properly diagnose your condition and answer any questions you have about the procedure.

Since 2015, we have specialized in aesthetic medicine through a variety of injectable treatments, such as Botox, Juvederm, and Kybella, and laser skin treatments such as IPL Laser, Body FX, and Sclerotherapy.

Additional Reading

Through a holistic approach to medicine with a personal touch, we work hard to earn our patients' trust and help them achieve their goals. We want you to make the best decisions for your treatment and are committed to making sure you are fully informed. We know how important your body is to you, so we encourage you to ask any questions you may have. Our desire is for you to be fully prepared and confident in the treatment you receive.

None of us is immune to the effects of aging, but with the right treatment, we can help you overcome those challenges. Contact us today for a courtesy consultation. Our SoVous MedSpa NYC Sclerotherapy experts are ready to discuss your aesthetic goals and establish a tailored treatment plan to reduce the visibility of your veins.

Scleropathy FAQs

We will schedule a follow-up visit in a few weeks to check on your progress. Not only will we assess how you are doing by your appearance, but we will also consider other issues, such as pain or other discomforts.

Patience is a prerequisite for the procedure, as the process can require several treatment sessions. Veins will not immediately look better, and they will often appear to be worse initially post-treatment. After your treatment, you will be obligated to wear compression bandages or stockings for 1-2 weeks to aid in circulation. A short period of elevation may be required, but afterward, regular walks or exercise helps promote vascular flow.

Leading up to the procedure, we recommend not shaving your legs or applying any lotions. It would be best if you considered wearing light, loose-fitting pants or shorts for your comfort.

We require that any patient interested in receiving a treatment from one of our renowned New York Sclerotherapy experts needs to have a consultation prior to the procedure.

It is important to discuss with your injector stopping the use of products containing NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen), Fish oils, and Vitamin E. It is also important to consider reduced alcohol consumption in the days preceding your treatment. These may increase your chance of bruising or swelling.

The treatment itself involves several injections of a sclerosing agent directly into these leaky vessels. You will lie on your back, with legs slightly elevated. The treatment area is then cleansed with alcohol. Then, a small needle delivers the solution into the veins.

Patients can return to normal daily activities within a few days of their Sclerotherapy treatment. You can expect injection site redness, mild swelling, and skin discoloration and bruising. Following injection, your legs will be wrapped and you will be required to abstain from exercise, hot tubs, and saunas and wear compression stockings for a prescribed amount of time, typically 1-2 weeks.

While strenuous exercise is prohibited, we will encourage you to move around to ensure blood clots do not form. You can return to your normal routine in most cases, but expect to have someone drive you home immediately after the procedure. It's essential to keep the areas treated out of the sun, as exposure could result in dark spots on your skin. Avoiding sun exposure is especially true for those who have a darker complexion.

Blood clots and scabs will form on the inside of the treated vessel as a result of the procedure. These clots and scabs sometimes present themselves as bumps under the skin making the vessels appear darker or worse and then eventually tenderness and discoloration disappear as the body works to break them down. This process can take up to 8 weeks.

This technique is much safer than surgical alternatives. Complications are rare in the hands of an experienced vein care specialist. The expertise of your treatment provider goes a long way in mitigating risk.

Some side effects as a result of the injection are discoloration of the vein under the skin, bruising or inflammation at the injection site, and allergic reactions from ingredients in the solution. Matting can also occur, which is a phenomenon where your body forms lots of tiny blood vessels around the injection site. Matting will usually resolve on its own but sometimes requires additional injections to relieve.

  • Burning/stinging/itching at the injection sites; and or muscle cramps, which usually go away within 15-30 minutes. Swelling of the injection sites or of the feet or ankles may occur. This generally resolves in a few days.
  • Areas of increased pigmentation (brown staining) may occur as a treated vein dissolves. This is usually due to iron depositing into the skin. Fortunately, pigmentation usually fades over a period of several months. However, this discoloration may permanently remain, in a small percentage of cases.
  • "Matting" is an overgrowth of fine caliber red veins near the areas of injection. This may occur in up to 30% of patients, however, most go away with time or with further Sclerotherapy.
  • Formation of small "burns" or ulcers, usually due to leakage of the chemical solution into the skin. These are more common when hypertonic saline is used for the injection. They heal in time but often leave a scar.
  • Bruising is common and usually fades away within a week or two. Allergic reactions (e.g. rashes). These are very uncommon and usually self-limited. Rarely they can cause serious reactions. Inflamed vein (phlebitis). This may be treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication like Ibuprofen (Advil), walking, and compression stockings or bandages.
  • Tender, firm bump(s) - "trapped blood." These are areas of treated veins that have closed like a "chain of pearls." Draining the contents helps to seal the vein shut and may reduce the chance of brown discoloration.
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