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Vein Removal Risks and Side Effects

Vein removal has become one of the most popular cosmetic procedures available today. There are many options in vein removal, allowing doctors to customize treatment to a patient's specific needs. However, no clinical treatment is without risk, and vein removal procedures are no exception. It is important to evaluate potential risks and side effects of vein removal before going ahead with treatment, to ensure you are comfortable with the procedure you choose.

Sclerotherapy Risks & Side Effects
Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution directly into the varicose vein so that the vein collapses and becomes less visible. This procedure is done in a doctor's office without the need for sedation or anesthesia. Depending on the number of veins treated, a session of sclerotherapy can last anywhere from five minutes to one hour. The procedure is relatively painless, and most patients are back to their daily activities within a day or two.

There are some potential side effects of sclerotherapy, which include:

Larger veins may become hard or lumpy for a period of time before disappearing
Patient may experience redness around the injection sites
Some patients develop brown lines at the injection site, which are rarely permanent
Swelling or inflammation of the leg
Allergic reaction to the agent used for the injection, which are rarely serious

Like any non-invasive clinical treatment, sclerotherapy is a relatively safe procedure and side effects are rare. To reduce the risks associated with the procedure even further, choose a doctor who is experienced in sclerotherapy and follow all pre- and post-procedural guidelines carefully.

Laser Vein Treatment Side Effects & Risks
Lasers have become the new gold standard for many types of cosmetic procedures today, including vein removal. A laser vein treatment uses an intense beam of laser light, focused directly on the varicose vein, to damage the vein so that it eventually disappears completely. Laser treatments are also considered non-invasive procedures that can be done in a doctor's office with little discomfort or downtime.

Risks involved with laser vein removal are few, and may include:

Redness or mild swelling around the treatment site, which rarely lasts longer than a day or two
Increased or decreased pigmentation in the treated area, which is rarely permanent
Bruising around the treatment site, which usually disappears in a matter of weeks

To reduce the risks associated with laser treatments, choose a doctor experienced in laser procedures. This professional will know how to tailor the laser and the procedure to the patient's unique needs, so side effects are less likely to occur.

Ambulatory Phlebectomy Risks and Side Effects
Ambulatory phlebectomy is usually reserved for larger veins that will not respond well to sclerotherapy or laser treatment. This procedure involves tiny incisions in the legs that are used to remove varicose veins using a special hook. The procedure is typically done in a doctor's office under a local anesthetic and requires minimal downtime afterward. The biggest advantage to ambulatory phlebectomy, aside from the fact that it is more effective on larger veins, is that treatment is complete in a single session. Sclerotherapy and laser treatments can take anywhere from three to six sessions to achieve the desired results.

Because ambulatory phlebectomy is slightly more invasive than the two procedures described above, there are additional risks and possible side effects to consider as well. These might include:

Bleeding and infection from the incision sites
Discoloration of the skin surrounding the incisions, which is rarely permanent

Ambulatory phlebectomy is much less invasive, and therefore carries fewer risks than procedures like vein stripping that was commonly used in the past. This procedure is often preferable to patients who want to get rid of varicose veins in a single procedure without major risks or downtime.

While there are always risks involved with any medical procedure, these methods of vein removal are relatively non-invasive and low risk. If you are tired of dealing with those unsightly blue lines, contact us today and we can arrange your free consultation with a vein removal specialist in your neck of the woods!

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