Veins

Problems with unsightly veins are very common with nearly two thirds of people over the age of 60 suffering from some kind of venous problem especially varicose veins and spider veins. Indeed the incidence of varicose veins and other unsightly veins increases significantly after the age of 40 and women are much more likely to develop them than men.

What Is It?

Varicose veins

Varicose veins occur when veins do not properly return blood from the lower leg to the heart. All veins have valves that open to allow the flow of blood to the heart and close to prevent back flow (know as "reflux") of blood to the foot. When valves fail to function properly, blood leaks through and flows down the leg in the wrong direction. The blood overfills and distends the superficial veins under the skin, resulting in the bulging seen in varicose veins.

The walls and valves of veins are thin and elastic, and can stretch due to a variety of conditions including pregnancy, heredity and age. When varicose veins become severe, it is referred to as chronic venous insufficiency. Symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency includes aching pain, easy leg fatigue and leg heaviness, all of which worsen as the day progresses. Left untreated, chronic venous insufficiency can cause ulcerations, which can be very difficult to treat.

Spider veins

Spider veins although similar to varicose veins are much closer to the surface of the skin and are usually red or purple. These veins are most commonly found on the face and legs and appear like a spider's web with short jagged lines.

Causes of unsightly veins

The cause of varicose veins is unknown although heredity is the most common factor. Hormonal changes play a large part and this probably explains why more women suffer from varicose veins than men because of the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy and menopause. Other contributory factors include obesity and prolonged standing. Spider veins on the face are often the result of excessive sun exposure.

Traditional Treatments

Ligation and Vein stripping

Until recently the standard treatment of large varicose veins was ligation and vein stripping. With ligation one or more incisions are made over the varicose veins, and the vein is tied off. If the ligation can isolate a faulty valve and the vein and valves below the faulty one are healthy, the remaining vein may be left in place to continue circulating blood. If several valves in the vein and the vein itself are heavily damaged, the vein (or the diseased part of the vein) is usually removed (stripped). Varicose vein surgery has the same risks associated with general surgery, including infection, bleeding, and anesthesia risks. Common side effects from vein stripping and ligation surgery may include temporary pain or discomfort, bruising, hematoma, numbness, and less frequently wound infection.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy works by injecting a solution into the damaged veins causing them to collapse, stick together, and eventually break down naturally in the body. Normal blood flow in the leg is thereby re-routed through deeper veins. Although the needle used to administer the sclerosant is small some patients report pain during the process. Side effects can include: brown lines or spots on the skin at the site of the injected blood vessels. In most cases, this discoloration will disappear in time. In a small number of people (less than five per cent), the brown lines may last up to a year or longer. Swelling, matting, ulcers and inflammation are also possible.

Fotona Laser Treatment

Fotana's FET Fractional Erbium Technology

Endovenous Laser Treatment works by means of thermal destruction of the vein. Laser energy from a Nd:YAG laser is delivered to the desired location inside the vein by using a bare laser fibre inside a catheter. Small incisions are made to create an entry and exit hole in order to allow the laser fibre to be passed along. When the laser is fired, it causes the vein wall to shrink and seal shut. The healthy veins that surround the now closed vein can then restore the normal flow of blood to the area treated. The laser is repeatedly fired as the laser fibre is gradually withdrawn along the course of the vein until the entire vessel is treated.

Endovenous Laser Treatment is less invasive than traditional surgical methods of varicose vein removal, has a lower complication rate, and is well tolerated by patients. Moreover recovery time is quick and the treatment produces good cosmetic results. This treatment is principally effective on large truncal veins in the legs.

Treatment of Spider Veins

Superficial veins, like spider veins, can be treated extremely effectively with laser therapy. The energy from a KTP or Nd:YAG laser is absorbed by the blood in the vein, changed into heat and the vein walls destroyed. This process is perfectly safe as other healthy veins will supply blood to the treated area and the body will clear the dead tissue as it clears a bruise. Some patients may only need one treatment but usually up to 3 treatments are required to clear the skin of the spider vein completely.

The Fotona range of lasers includes Nd:YAG and KTP lasers, suitable for vein treatments.

Before & After

BEFORE	AFTER - 3 treatments
BEFORE	AFTER - 4 months post treatment
BEFORE	AFTER - 4 months post treatment