Sclerotherapy Vein Treatment In LOS GATOS, CA
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Los Gatos, Mountain View, Palo Alto and San Jose, CA
Sclerotherapy vein treatment is a non-surgical, injectable procedure that reduces the appearance of spider veins and some varicose veins safely and effectively without a single incision.
Never have smooth, youthful-looking legs been so easy to achieve, thanks to sclerotherapy vein treatment at Advanced Aesthetic Dermatology, Dr. Patrick Bitter Jr. is an esteemed dermatologist who brings the latest advancements in skincare to his Los Gatos community in California’s Bay Area. Check out his blog for skin secrets and aesthetic insights by a regionally recognized expert in skin rejuvenation.
Non-Surgical, Injectable Vein Elimination
Sclerotherapy only lasts as long as a basic doctor’s visit because the injectable medicine is delivered by way of a simple syringe. The solution stimulates the blood platelets to attach to the cell lining of the offending veins. As clotting occurs, the body reacts by replacing the damaged vein with new and healthy tissue.
Dr. Bitter and his team at Advanced Aesthetic Dermatology want to unlock your inner glow. To learn more about how Silicon Valley’s most sophisticated skin treatments can help you acquire your desired results, put a consultation in your calendar. Call our offices at (408) 358-5757.
Qualified Candidates
Candidates for sclerotherapy must first be cleared for treatment by Dr. Bitter or a medical professional from his team. The treatment is safe and effective, but it is not for everyone. Women who take birth control should be cleared for injections. Pregnant women, however, will have to wait until after the birth of their child. Also, potential patients who have been afflicted by blood clots may be urged to consider another course of treatment depending on the circumstances surrounding the issue.
Your Private Consultation
Your private consultation at Advanced Aesthetic Dermatology is an opportunity to do a deep dive into your skin and vascular concerns under the guidance of a trained professional. Dr. Bitter and his team are knowledgeable, compassionate and eager to educate you as to all of your aesthetic options.
After a physical examination and brief discussion about your medical history, we will either give you the green light for sclerotherapy vein treatment or begin discussing your alternatives. Either way, you’ll be pleased with your decision to visit Advanced Aesthetic Dermatology. Our prior patients’ rave reviews are a lasting testament to our fine work. Schedule your consultation at Advanced Aesthetic Dermatology today by calling (408) 358-5757.
Preparation
Fortunately, sclerotherapy is such a simple injectable treatment that very little (if any) preparation is needed. Please do follow any individual instructions Dr. Bitter’s team provides. We want you to look great and feel good. Some patients may be asked to adjust their skincare routine if it involves the regular application of oils or lotions. In some cases, you may need to adjust the medications you are taking.
Procedure
Sclerotherapy is performed by way of an intravenous injection. A very fine needle will be aimed directly into the vein. Following the injection, it is not uncommon to experience some cramping and mild discomfort in the treatment area. Fortunately, this shouldn’t last more than a couple of minutes after your final shot. The number of veins injected in one session depends on the size and location of the veins, as well as the general medical condition of the patient.
How long is each sclerotherapy session?
Sclerotherapy vein treatments are blessedly brief, especially whencompared to the surgical alternatives. A full course of treatment lasts under an hour, ranging from as short as 15 minutes to a full 45-minute session. The length of the treatment is determined by the size of the treatment area. When your session concludes you will likely be asked to wear compression stockings to assist in your recovery. These stockings should be worn continuously for two or three days, and then for 12 hours a day for the following month.
Recovery
Recovery is quick and requires no downtime. There may be some lingering soreness but it should resolve itself quickly within a few days. If there is any bruising, that will fade within a couple of weeks.
Patients are encouraged to walk regularly while the medication is at work within their veins. Light movement and compression stockings will help to expedite the healing process.
While there may be some aches and pains early in recovery, patients will be explicitly instructed to avoid aspirin and ibuprofen as these and other herbal supplements can thin the blood.
- Avoid These Activities Immediately After Sclerotherapy
- Hot Tubs
- Warm Baths
- Spas
- Saunas
- Direct Sunlight
- Avoid These Activities For the First Week After Treatment
- Vigorous Exercise
- Intense Sun Exposure
- Long Distance Air Travel
- Hot Tubs, Saunas and Whirlpools
Patients should support their recovery by committing to cold showers for the first week after treatment. As warm water and excessive heat will undermine the success of sclerotherapy, steaming baths and hot showers are a no-no.
Side Effects
- In some rare cases, a patient may experience an allergic reaction to the medication. While very infrequent, Dr. Bitter and his team are prepared for all eventualities that can occur during or after any of our treatments. You can trust you’ll be in safe hands at Advanced Aesthetic Dermatology.
- Potentially, a venous ulcer can appear at the surface of the skin. Again, these instances are quite rare. So, please report any post-treatment skin discoloration immediately.
- If the needle misses its mark, you may experience a sudden jolt of pain in the treatment area. Please inform us if you believe this may be the case.
Results
The results of sclerotherapy speak for themselves. It is a very effective treatment and patients consistently report satisfactory results. As many as 50% to 80% of injected veins may be eliminated with each session of sclerotherapy. However, a small minority of patients (less than 10%) are unable to benefit from this procedure. If this is the case, alternative avenues of treatment should be explored.
The satisfaction rate for sclerotherapy is quite high! An average of 86% of patients say that they are pleased with the procedure’s outcomes. Sclerotherapy is a long-lasting treatment that permanently removes unsightly leg veins. However, it cannot stop new spider veins from forming, so follow-up treatments may be necessary.
It should take about six weeks for a cluster of spider veins to fade. For larger varicose veins, results can take up to four months.
The scope of a sclerotherapy session varies widely, depending on the size of the treatment area and the severity of the condition. Dr. Bitter and his team tailor each of their treatments to the needs of the individual, so a patient’s final cost will be dependent on several variables. At the conclusion of your private consultation, we will quote you an accurate cost. In the meantime, watch our specials page for the latest exclusive offers and package deals.
FAQs
HOW SUCCESSFUL IS SCLEROTHERAPY IN TREATING VARICOSE AND SPIDER VEINS?
Sclerotherapy is highly effective in most cases. Reports indicate that anywhere from 50% to up to 80% of treated veins vanish within six months of treatment. Sclerotherapy provides long-lasting relief from unsightly veins by permanently removing them as the medication runs its course. However, the treatment is not a permanent fix for spider veins and varicose veins altogether. Often, the appearance of unwanted veins at the surface of the skin is an ongoing problem. So, new veins may form after the treated ones have faded.
HOW LONG DOES SCLEROTHERAPY LAST?
Sclerotherapy is an effective treatment that provides long-lasting results by permanently disabling and removing unwanted veins near the surface of the skin. The treatment works by stimulating the cells within the vein. The injected medicine is designed to trigger a healing response within the patient, so the treated veins send blood platelets to address the perceived “injury.” But, the body has been fooled, because there is no injury, so the platelets only serve to disable the vein. It is gradually replaced with new and healthy tissue while it recedes from view. However, despite this treatment’s permanent results, your body is continually growing new veins, which can potentially become spider veins over time.
DOES SCLEROTHERAPY WORK IMMEDIATELY?
The results of sclerotherapy are not immediate. The injected medication initiates a healing response by the body, so, your results will emerge and improve over time. Many sclerotherapy specialists recommend waiting a month or more inbetween treatments. However, compared to the surgical removal of veins, sclerotherapy costs less and requires no downtime.
References
- Weiss, M. A., Hsu, J. T. S., Neuhaus, I., Sadick, N. S., & Duffy, D. M. (2014). Consensus for Sclerotherapy. Dermatologic Surgery, 40(12), 1309–1318.
- Francis, J. J., & Levine, L. A. (2013). Aspiration and Sclerotherapy: a Nonsurgical Treatment Option for Hydroceles. Journal of Urology, 189(5), 1725–1729. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2012.11.008
- Rabe, E., & Pannier, F. (2013). Sclerotherapy in venous malformation. Phlebology: The Journal of Venous Disease, 28(1_suppl), 188–191.
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