Why So Vein?

An alarming 55% of all american women and 45% of american men suffer from some form of vein disorder. Whether it is unsightly spider-resembling purple patches, or bulging rope-like veins that protrude from the skin, it stands to reason to seek suitable treatment if you are one of these unfortunate causalities.

An alarming 55% of all American women and 45% of American men suffer from some form of vein disorder. Whether it is unsightly spider-resembling purple patches, or bulging rope-like veins that protrude from the skin, it stands to reason to seek suitable treatment if you are one of these unfortunate causalities.

In light of these latest statistics put forth by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS), the field of phlebology (treatment of venous disorders) has exploded in the last several years. Newly recognized as a medical specialty by the American Medical Association (AMA), the treatment of spider and varicose veins has become the second most popular cosmetic procedure next to liposuction. When left unaddressed, these less severe conditions can develop into severe problems, including phlebitis, ulcerations, and chronic venous insufficiency.

SO WHERE DO YOU BEGIN?

Firstly, do your homework! Find a doctor who specializes in the treatment of venous disorders. Sclerotherapy (injection of a sclerosing agent that collapses the vein) is the treatment of choice for spider veins. It is no longer “slim pickings” when it comes to finding a doctor who promises to rid your legs of unsightly spider veins. It seems many other specialists today, including dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and even MedSpas are jumping on the “sclerotherapy bandwagon.” Unfortunately, practitioners of all sorts are engaging in this practice, without the appropriate training and knowledge of the superficial venous system. The results? Slow and unsatisfactory results, skin irritations, bumps, blisters, and maybe even an ulcer.

When it comes to varicose veins, the best results come from a combined approach. Only when proper testing and diagnosis, conducted in a practice geared specifically for the treatment of varicose and spider veins, can a proper treatment regiment be formulated. Endovenous laser ablation, mini phlebectomy and sclerotherapy can be used in conjunction with each other for maximum symptom alleviation. Certain parts of a varicose vein may be occluded with laser energy (Endolaser), while others may be removed in  small segments (mini phlebectomy). It is then topped off with sclerotherapy to close the remaining tiny branches. Sclerotherapy still remains the gold standard for the treatment of unsightly veins. The combined approach produces the least amount of downtime, whereby the patient is able to walk away from the operating table and return to work or daily activities immediately following the procedure.

It is highly advisable to avoid doctors who are not specialists in the field of phlebology (venous disorders). For the best results, consult vein centers in your area or physicians that have training in this field. The American College of Phlebology is a helpful resource. The Vein Treatment Center in Manhattan, headed by surgeon Dr. Luis Navarro, is one of the most well respected and established vein centers in the country. As one of the only facilities to specialize solely in the treatment of vein disorders, the Vein Treatment Center never fails to deliver on its promise of excellence and the highest standards of medicine, all taking place in an esthetically pleasing and immaculate, spa-like environment. Dr. Navarro, an innovator and a leader in the field of phlebology for 25 plus years, is also the inventor of Endolaser, the most sought after treatment for the elimination of varicose veins. Among the latest equipment and most advanced treatment methods utilized by the Vein Treatment Center are sclerotherapy, foam sclerotherapy, duplex sonogram-guided sclerotherapy, endovenous laser ablation (Endolaser), and mini phlebectomy, all performed in-house under local anesthesia. The advent of these minimally invasive procedures has made hospital bed-ridden surgery obsolete. Their goal in short, is to alleviate symptoms, while achieving the best cosmetic results, regardless of the  complexity or simplicity of the problem.

Dr. Luis Navarro

Vein Treatment Center

327 East 65th Street

New York, NY 10065

(212) 249-6117