Vein Treatment - Patients ask, Dr. Ringpfeil answers
Please feel free to use the blog below to share information about Vein Treatment or to ask Dr. Franziska Ringpfeil a question that might be of interest to others.
Philadelphia and Mainline Center of Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery
Vein Treatment
Veins - Treatment Options
| Sclerotherapy | PDL | Nd:YAG | KTP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Veins | +++ | +++ | ++ | +++ |
| Blue Veins | +++ | + | +++ | ++ |
| # Treatments | 1 or more | 2-4 | 2-5 | 1-4 |
| Bruising (months) | 3-6 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Cost/session | $150-$700 | $150-$700 | $150-$700 | $150-$700 |
Treatments: sclerotherapy, sclerolaser (PDL, Nd:YAG, KTP) and Pulsed Dye Laser.
Sclerotherapy is a technique designed to close unsightly spider veins on the legs, face or other body areas. Several substances can be injected to cause this outcome. While providing identical results and downtime, detergents/foaming agents are generally considered painless while hypertonic saline injections may be somewhat painful. Sclerotherapy is used for the treatment of larger spider veins. It is often followed by sclerolaser treatments which resolve extremely fine vessels that did not take to sclerotherapy.
Depending on the examination, ultrasound may be necessary to exclude reflux, which may hamper treatment success. If reflux is detected, a consultation with a vascular surgeon may be necessary to remove underlying varicosities.
I am a 28-year-old woman of Indian descent(slight brown skin). I have broken capillaries around the mouth caused by excessive rubbing and trauma that look like pigmentation. I am looking at the vascular laser to treat it. What kind of treatment do you recommend with timelines? Can it be a permanent treatment? What does it cost?
Facial veins can sometimes be treated. Please note that this forum provides knowledge on general concepts. It does not provide personalized recommendations. Please schedule a consultation for in-person examination so that we can evaluate if you are a candidate for treatment and which technology will have best results with minimal downtime or side effects.
Hello Dr. Ringpfeil,
I have small sections underneath my buttocks area (upper thigh) with blue spider veins. I am only 18 years old but both my mom and my grandmother suffered of spider veins.
What would be your recommendation of treatment or is it something not to attack yet?
Thank you
These spider veins can be targeted by sclerotherapy injections or, if skin color as well as diameter of the spider veins allows, by laser treatment.
Regular exercise, avoidance of trauma and regular use of compression stockings may be able to reduce formation of future spider veins although you may have a genetic susceptibility.
Hello,
I have very visible bluish veins under both eyes and was wondering what my treatment options are and what the corresponding costs would be. Thank you for your time!
The location of the blue veins is important to understand the treatment options. If they are on the lower eyelids, which is the skin under the eye that has no bone underneath, sclerotherapy injections may be possible and can be performed by an ophthalmologist. If the blue veins are on the uppermost cheeks where you can feel bone underneath, laser treatment or sclerotherapy injections are performed with success by either a dermatologist or ophthalmologist. Please note that not all dermatologists or ophthalmologists perform these procedures or have the appropriate laser and be sure to inquire before you make your appointment for consultation.
Hi Dr. Ringpfeil,
I am a 39 year old woman. I am noticing that my spider veins are getting worse. How much will it be to get it removed. they are in both legs and are looking bad!
Depending on size of spider veins and your skin color, they can be treated by injection, by laser or by radiofrequency. On average it takes between 2-4 treatments 6-8 weeks apart to treat spider veins. Each treatment removes about 50% of the spider veins or reduces their size by 50%. In our office, compression after spider vein treatment is performed routinely to minimize side effects and to increase efficacy. Compression should be continued for 6 weeks after injection or for one week after laser treatment. The cost depends on the area treated and can range between $150 and $700 per treatment. A price quote for the first and second treatment can be given during consultation. The cost for any additional treatment is typically lower as I expect some areas to have fully responded by that time.
i had laser work done on my face before from another doctor. within two weeks the veins that i thought were gone reappeared. i had no confidence going back and paying alot more money if after one treatment it came back so fast. i cant afford to do this if it doesn’t last. if its done right right how long can it last? thank you very much.
Facial veins take several treatments to disappear. Both, lasers and IPL can be used. Lasers are the most efficient. A pulsed dye laser requires between 2-4 treatments 4-6 weeks apart to give you results that last 7-10 years. IPL takes 4-6 treatments but treatments can be done every 2 weeks and will last up to 2 years. With IPL there can be dramatic improvement after only one treatment which makes it desirable when quick improvement for an event is needed. However, longer lasting results can only be achieved after several treatments despite the immediate results.
I was wondering about the pricing for laser treatments for broken vessels in the face.
Blood vessels (telangiectasias) on the face can occur as a result of sun exposure or a chronic skin condition called rosacea. They can effectively be treated by laser. It leaves no scar and causes only minimal discomfort. The most modern lasers no longer cause lengthy downtime and typically between 2-4 treatments every 4-6 weeks eradicate showy vessels. We stagger pricing so that individuals with only few lesions do not get overcharged. Treatment ranges between $105 for a single telangiectasia to $400 for more than 15 spots or the entire face.