Before having the laser treatment, the patient complained of having spider veins on her legs. The majority of her leg veins were < 3mm in width. After her consultation with Dr. Umar in Los Angeles, it was decided that laser treatment with Nd:Yag laser was an ideal choice of treatment. In addition, veins greater than 3mm in width may require sclerotherapy.
Sclerotherapy is a procedure used to remove varicose veins and spider veins. Sclerotherapy involves an injection of sterile chemical sclerant (salt solution) directly into the vein. The solution irritates the lining of the blood vessel, causing it to swell and stick together, clot and harden, and eventually fade away completely. Over time, the vessel turns into scar tissue that will eventually fade from view.
Because the procedure is minimally-invasive, very few side effects are associated with sclerotherapy. Some minor itching and burning might occur immediately after the treatment, but this is normal and will stop quickly. The potential for side effects to happen can be reduced by choosing an experienced, reputable cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist to perform the procedure. Therefore it is important to have your sclerotherapy performed by an experienced dermatologist.
In 2002, Dr. Umar and colleagues published a study in the premier journal of dermatology (Dermatologic Surgery) comparing the 3 different laser categories generally used for the treatment of leg veins. Regardless of the name given to the laser by the manufacturer, leg vein treatment lasers fall into one of the following 3 categories:
- 1. 1064nm
- 2. 810 (Diode)
- 3. 755nm (Alexandrite)
Dr. Umar and his collegues found in their study that the Nd:Yag (1064nm) laser was significally superior to the other lasers.
Dr. Umar employs the latest time-tested version of the long-pulsed Nd YAG (1064) laser (GENTLE YAG by Candela), to effectively treat leg veins regardless of skin type. Dr. Umar also performs Sclerotherapy (injectables) for the treatment of larger leg veins using only FDA-approved sclerosants. For more information about Dr. Umar and the procedure, please contact FineTouch Dermatology at (310)318-1500, or visit FineTouch Dermatology.