The Best Treatment Approach for Varicose Veins

The veins in the legs have a more challenging job than anywhere else in the body because they are below the heart, and they have to work against gravity to keep blood flowing in the right direction. The medical condition that leads to the formation of spider veins and varicose veins is called venous insufficiency or vein disease. Understanding more about the condition will help you better understand what caused your disease and the best treatment approach for you. The Vein & Face clinic offers treatment for varicose veins in Tallahassee by prioritizing great results for patients with peripheral aesthetic concerns caused by the unsightly veins.

What causes the condition?

The veins in the legs have to fight against gravity to bring blood to the heart. This ability is possible because of valves.  These structures are one-way doors that open, allowing blood to flow past and close, preventing the blood from falling back down to the feet. Over time, the valves become unhealthy and leaky. Blood pools below the valves, a condition known as venous stasis; this condition leads to the formation of spider and varicose veins. To remove these unsightly veins, your doctor has to first assess the underlying unhealthy veins.

What are the different treatment options?

In the past, this often required surgery known as vein stripping. Fortunately, modern technology allows vein doctors to treat chronic venous insufficiency with minimally invasive technology. The most popular techniques for eliminating unhealthy veins are endovenous, meaning that the vein is closed from the inside out.

Several different treatment methods are available, including radiofrequency ablation, laser ablation, mechano-chemical ablation, sclerotherapy, and Venoseal.  The best treatment option for you depends on your unique venous anatomy. A good vein doctor will customize a treatment plan for you and explain why he or she chooses a particular treatment to remove your varicose veins. 

Factors to consider when selecting a treatment plan

Treating the underlying unhealthy veins will prevent new spider and varicose veins and usually diminish the appearance and existing unsightly veins. However, varicose veins often need additional treatment.  To decide on the best treatment plan, after treating venous insufficiency, a vein doctor considers several things: the position and size of the vein. The connections of the vein to deeper vessels within your leg are also a key consideration factor.

At Tallahassee Vein & Facial Clinic, foam sclerotherapy is used to remove most varicose veins. Your physician will inject a solution called a sclerosant with air to create a form. Using ultrasound guidance, your care provider will inject the foam into the affected vein. The medication irritates the vein walls, causing them to seal closed, scar down, and eventually fade away.

A newer treatment called Varithena involves using a premade foam that delivers a powerful sclerosant into the veins.

If the varicose veins are huge, your physician may perform mini-surgeries known as micro phlebotomies to eliminate their appearance. However, this extreme treatment option is rarely required. 

All treatment options have minimal downtime. Contact Tallahassee Vein & Face Clinic to begin treatment and notice drastic improvements in the appearance of your legs.