New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/13/2014 -- They’re veins, and there are a number of procedures that can zap the offending blue or red vessels into virtually nothing.

For varicose and spider veins, sclerotherapy is considered the gold standard of treatment. Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy uses injections of foam or liquid solutions that collapse and close diseased veins.

Varicose veins are deformed, enlarged, superficial veins whose walls have stretched, causing blood flow to slow. Symptoms include pain, swelling, aching, burning, tingling, itching and leg restlessness. Cosmetically, legs appear bulgy and mapped with visible purple veins.

Spider veins are really just tiny varicose veins, red or blue in colour, and closer to the skin’s surface.

Both men and women can develop varicose veins, and genetics, lifestyle, hormones and aging are major factors in their appearance.

Dr. Lily Wouters, a physician with Young & Wouters Calgary Vein and Laser, typically takes a medical history and does a full assessment of a patient’s veins before proceeding with treatment.

“They may come in and are only concerned about a spider vein, but we assess in case there is a larger vein they don’t notice. We diagnose and sit down to make a treatment plan. This varies depending on whether there are big veins or only small cosmetic ones. One person might need two treatments and another might need six,” Wouters says.

She then gives a cost estimate and a time frame. If more than one sclerotherapy session is needed, the treatments are typically one month apart, but patients can see and feel the difference after just one visit, she says.

For smaller veins, Wouters also uses laser therapies that heat the insides of veins and shuts them down.

Sclerotherapy must be performed by medically trained practitioners, while laser treatments have less-stringent rules and can be performed at non-medical facilities such as spas. Wouters suggests lifestyle tweaks as a way to keep vein disorders at bay.

“I encourage exercise — walking. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Keep to the ideal weight, and especially with a standing job, wear compression stockings, which I have on all the time,” she says.

Varicose veins are progressive and can get worse over time, causing complications such as aching, fatigue, swelling, blood clots and ulcers.

At Vive Rejuvenation Laser Clinic, smaller cosmetic veins on the face and body are effectively eradicated using laser treatments, specifically the ND YAG wavelength laser, which can treat both lighter and darker skin tones.

It also treats superficial red and blue veins, telangiectasia, hemangiomas, port wine stains and spider veins.

“The advantage is no needle pokes, and the laser is only interested in the hemoglobin in the blood vessel, so it’s not affecting the surrounding tissue,” says Angela Robertshaw, managing director at Vive.

Smaller red and blue veins are heated up, coagulated, the walls of the vessel close in, and then the vein slowly breaks up and is reabsorbed by the body’s system.

A topical anesthetic is usually used, and there can be some bruising and tenderness afterward, which clears quickly. Followup appointments are necessary to observe vein changes or to have additional treatments.

“Facial veins are very quick and easy to treat, and absorb quicker, because they are smaller,” Robertshaw says.

Vive prices treatments based on how much time each procedure takes.

About Us
Schulman Vein and Laser Center
New York City and Long Island Vein Specialists With so many vein centers and vein clinics ‘popping up’, why have vein treatment from Schulman Vein and Laser Center…At the Schulman Vein And Laser Center, all varicose and spider veins are treated non-surgically, by virtually painless injection therapy sclerotherapy, micro ambulatory phlebectomy, or ultrasound assisted laser treatments. With these treatments, veins gradually seal shut and disappear. The blood loss and scarring associated with surgery are eliminated. All varicose vein and spider vein treatment is administered exclusively by the doctors. Our work is done with the most uncompromising high standards, using only FDA approved medications and disposable, single use equipment. Patients are able to resume full activity immediately (including driving).

- ALL WE DO IS VEINS TM- 100% of our medical practice is vein therapy

- Experience- we have over 55 years combined of vein-only specialization.

- The Schulman Vein and Laser Center doctors are individually board certified in Vascular Surgery and Phlebology (diagnosis and treatment of venous disorders)

- Unlike many hospitals or ‘clinics’ where medical students, interns, residents, nurses or physicians assistants many be learning and perform treatments, ALL OF OUR PATIENTS ARE TREATED PERSONALLY BY ONE OF THE TWO DOCTORS

- We offer multiple minimally invasive vein treatment methods including ultrasound assisted therapy, laser (EVLT- EndoVenous Laser Treatment), micro-surgery, injection compression therapy (sclerotherapy), foam sclerotherapy, and electrocautery (veingogh like electric treatments)

- All laser treated, microsurgery, out-of-town and out-of-the country patients are given the personal cell phone number of Dr. Schulman should they have any pressing questions

- Our goal is to provide the best results for our patients with the least invasive procedures available

- Many treatments can be completed in one or two visits

- All laser and micro-surgery treatments are done using only local (only into the leg near the vein) anesthesia, and all patients are able to walk normally and drive themselves home afterwards.

- All new patients are called by the Schulman Vein and Laser Center staff the day after their initial treatment to check on them as a courtesy follow up.

- We have presented and lectured about our work and original vein treatment methods at the largest vein specialty, dermatology as well as cosmetic and plastic surgery meetings in America.

- While most of our work is done on leg veins, there is almost no part of the body we have not successfully treated, including veins in the hands, arms, face, chest/breast, vaginal area, back and abdomen.

- At Schulman Vein and Laser Center we treat all patients for both the best medical as well as cosmetic results.

- All of our medical research is devoted to the field of vein therapy.

- We were the first doctors to ever lecture on hand vein treatment, as well as treating patients on the blood thinner Coumadin at a major medical meeting.

- We are both well recognized internationally in our field of Phlebology (diagnosis and treatment of venous conditions) for our contributions and advancements.

What is most important is that a patient with worsening varicose or spider veins, venous ulcerations, venous insufficiency, pain from leg veins or just a desire to have an improved cosmetic appearance, is to see a doctor who truly specializes in vein therapy.

Visit http://www.schulmanveincenter.com/ for more details.