Sclerotherapy and Laser Therapy for Spider Veins and Varicose Veins

Treatment Results at Bay Oaks Dermatology
Before Sclerotherapy	After Sclerotherapy

Dr.  Sekula Gibbs is a board certified dermatologist who has treated spider and varicose veins for over 25 years.  She will be happy to assist you in determining whether you are a good candidate to remove these unsightly vessels. 

Spider veins are small veins that lie close to the surface of the skin. Several factors contribute to the development of this condition, including heredity, pregnancy, hormonal changes, certain medications, or an occupation that demands long periods of standing or sitting. Sclerotherapy and more recently laser treatment have been successful in treating these unsightly veins.

Varicose veins differ from spider veins in a number of ways. Varicose veins are larger, usually more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, darker in color and tend to bulge. They are also more likely to be painful and be related to more serious vein disorders. For some patients, sclerotherapy can be used to treat varicose veins, but surgical intervention is sometimes necessary.

Preventing spider and varicose veins may not be possible if one is genetically predisposed to develop them, but there are several sensible suggestions that may assist:

• Maintain good muscle tone through exercise.
• Wear well cushioned shoes and support hose. (Knee-high support hose and thigh-high support hose are available at the office.)
• Avoid trauma to the legs.
• When pregnant, avoid excessive weight gain and elevate the legs whenever possible.

If sclerotherapy is indicated, the most commonly used treatment is with what is known as a sclerosant. Dr. Sekula Gibbs primarily employs the FDA approved drug, sodium tetradecyl sulfate (Sotradecol). On July 15, 2010 the FDA is set to release Asclera (polidocanol) for the treatment of spider and reticular veins.  There are side effects associated with the use of all sclerosants that must be considered including allergic reactions, blood clots, pulmonary embolism, ulceration, new vessel formation, matting, tissue discoloration and rarely death. With proper patient selection and careful technique these side effects can be minimumized.  Each patient should discuss possible side effects with Dr. Sekula Gibbs prior to the treatment.  Multiple treatments are usually necessary and bruising usually resolves after 4 weeks.

Therapy with the LightSheer laser can also be a quick and efficient treatment for small spider veins.  Multiple treatments (2 to 4) are usually necessary and a period of about 6 weeks is often necessary for bruises and occasional blisters to resolve.  No needles and no medications are used with laser vein treatment. The same laser may also be used to remove brown spots and unwanted leg hair.

In some people spider veins may become noticeable in the teen years; others may find that they do not appear until much later in life. Spider veins and varicose veins are not as common in men as they are in women, however sclerotherapy and laser vein removal are just as effective in men who seek treatment.

Before deciding to have sclerotherapy or laser vein therapy think carefully about it and discuss it with Dr. Sekula Gibbs or her associates.

Dr. Sekula Gibbs is a longstanding member of the American College of Phlebology. She is a board certified dermatologist and has trained at numerous phlebology centers in the United States and Europe.