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OTHER SPIDER VEIN TREATMENTS

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In spider veins, microsclerotherapy is the best method if applied correctly. In addition, there are some transdermal treatments commonly used in spider veins. The aim of these treatments is to destroy the spider veins by burning them from the surface of the skin. The most commonly used methods are laser, radiofrequency and microwave.

 

Transdermal laser

It is the most widely known and most widely used transdermal treatment in the world. "Transdermal laser" is often confused with the "endovenous laser" used in the treatment of incompetent veins that cause large varicose veins. Endovenous laser is a minimally invasive treatment used to close the vein that cause large varices and is the non-surgical equivalent of varicose vein surgery. Transdermal laser, on the other hand, is a procedure similar to laser hair removal applied by dermatologists and other practitionars in beauty centers. In the transdermal laser, the laser beam sent from the surface reaches the spider veins by passing through the skin and may also harm it. The success of the treatment depends on skin thickness and color, types of spider veins, their size and proximity to surface, as well as laser energy and wavelength used. Laser is generally more successful in the face where the skin is thin. In the leg, it is more effective in patients with light skin color and small spider veins. It is an ideal method for the treatment of very thin spider veins that sometimes remain after microsclerotherapy.

 

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Transdermal radiofrequency or microwave

In a transdermal laser, the beam must pass through the skin to be effective on the capillary varices, and this may also damage the skin. Radiofrequency and microwave have been developed to eliminate this disadvantage of the laser. In both methods, the skin is passed through a very fine needle and capillary varices are reached and the vessels are burned with radiofrequency or microwave energy. However, since an area of ​​up to 1mm is burned at a time, it is necessary to stick needles hundreds of times in one session. Although the needle is very thin and normally does not cause too much pain, radiofrequency or microwave used to heat the vein does cause pain which is much more intense than sclerotherapy. In addition, the pinholes created by the needle punctures may take months to heal.

 

As a physician who has used all the methods including transdermal laser, radiofrequency and microwave besides microsclerotherapy, I can summarize my experiences as follows.

 

1. The most effective and comfortable treatment for spider veins is a well-performed microsclerotherapy. Transdermal treatments are more suitable for very thin capillary varices that are unsuitable for or remain after microsclerotherapy.

 

2. Laser, radiofrequency and microwave all have to heat the skin with to treat spider veins. Therefore, they may cause pain and some side effects on the skin during the procedure. In my opinion, the laser is more effective than the others, but should be used with the appropriate wavelength beam. Radiofrequency and microwave are less effective and as painful as lasers and may cause scars at the puncture holes on the skin.