Unsightly spider veins and various vascular (red) spots affect millions of men and women. While the broken vessels in superficial veins are not serious health concerns, they can be sources of embarrassment.
Dr. Christopher Hankins at Premier Plastic Surgery can determine which laser best addresses your facial vein/ redness conditions and skin type.
If you’re bothered by the appearance of spider veins (telangiectasias) in your legs, you’re not alone! Abnormal leg veins occur in 29 to 41% of women and 6 to 15% of men in the United States. If you live in Houston, Pearland, Lake Jackson, or the nearby neighborhoods of South Houston, Dr. Hankins at Premier Plastic Surgery can help you with leg and facial vein removal.
Our Houston area office is located in Pearland, TX, conveniently located to see spider vein removal patients in Lake Jackson, Clearlake, Friendswood, Marvel and the surrounding areas of South Houston.
Spider vein treatment, also known as Sclerotherapy, is a minimally invasive treatment used for decades to safely and effectively treat varicose and spider veins. Some valves inside our veins maintain the unidirectional flow of blood towards the heart. If the valves become incompetent or allow blood to backflow, blood pools or backs up inside the vessel, causing it to swell and the walls of the vein to thin.
Varicose veins affect more than 80 million adult Americans. While small varicose veins are unsightly and can cause embarrassment, large varicose veins can be a severe health condition, resulting in discoloration of the skin and the appearance of venous stasis ulcers– large varicose veins may even result in blood clots.
There are several misconceptions as to why spider and varicose veins occur. The most common myth is crossing your legs can cause varicose veins. Crossing your legs or wearing high heels does not cause varicose vein formation or new spider veins. Some causes include:
Before treating leg veins, one must realize that this is a maintenance procedure and that new veins can appear after the treatment of others. Thanks to laser vein removal systems and sclerotherapy, men and women alike can make unsightly spider and superficial facial veins a thing of the past. Dr. Christopher Hankins at Premier Plastic Surgery uses the most advanced lasers to safely and effectively treat both leg and tiny superficial face veins (see facial vein removal).
Support or compression stockings are an option for in-home treatment. They can be purchased at retail or pharmacies to address the pain and discomfort that varicose veins may cause. These stockings offer some relief and improve circulation in your legs.
Often, home remedies do not bring relief, and medical treatment is needed to get your legs feeling and looking better. Dr. Hankins can effectively treat leg veins using lasers targeting hemoglobin and/or IPL. These precise laser-focused treatments are quick and usually collapse and close off the vessels in just a few sessions, with the remaining coloration dissipating over several months. Lasers can target veins that are too small for treatment by sclerotherapy.
is a chemical injected directly into the vein through a needle and syringe. The solution destroys the blood vessel, causing damage to the inside lining of the vein scarring, causing the vein to close off and disappear over time. Side effects can include a temporary discoloration of the skin.
Endovenous laser vein treatment is an alternative procedure to target varicose veins that were once only treatable by surgery. This procedure uses a small laser fiber placed inside the vessel, allowing the delivery of pulses of laser light that collapse the vein. Studies suggest that endovenous lasers are effective 98% of the time in treating varicose veins. Patients also report less pain and a quicker recovery than with ligation and stripping. This treatment is for more prominent varicose veins.
The benefits of spider vein treatment in Houston and Pearland can vary depending on individual circumstances, the severity of the spider veins, and the chosen treatment method. However, here are some expected benefits of spider vein treatment:
Improved cosmetic appearance
Boosted self-esteem
Reduced discomfort
Prevention of future complications
Better circulation
Increased mobility
Quick recovery
Customized solutions
Enhanced quality of life
It’s important to note that the specific benefits of spider vein treatment can vary based on the chosen treatment method and individual factors. Before undergoing treatment, individuals should consult with a healthcare provider to discuss their unique situation, treatment options, and expected outcomes.
Generally, adults in relatively good health and concerned about spider or varicose veins are considered good candidates for spider vein treatment. However, there are some exceptions. For instance, it doesn’t matter how old or healthy you are if you are breastfeeding, trying to become pregnant, or pregnant.
If you are in Houston and ready to address your spider veins and reach your aesthetic goals, look no further than Premier Plastic Surgery in Pearland, TX. During this initial consultation, you will review your current medications, medical conditions, previous treatments, family history, herbal supplements, vitamins, tobacco, alcohol, etc. Dr. Hankins will discuss your options and potential risks after assessing your veins in detail and evaluating your general health. Should you choose to proceed with the treatment, your procedure plan will be created, and our Patient Coordinator will help you schedule your treatment.
When you come in for treatment, Dr. Hankins injects small doses of sclerosing solution into the affected veins. The solution irritates the vein lining, eventually causing them to disappear. Most treatments take about 30 minutes to an hour; however, the duration can depend on the patient. Local anesthesia or other pain management options can be utilized to ensure your comfort during the procedure. Dr. Hankins and his team will follow the treatment plan previously discussed in your consultation, as it’s tailored to your specific needs.
Choose Dr. Hankins for your spider vein treatment in Pearland and the surrounding Houston area because he sets the bar in Texas – and in Texas, we do things with confidence and stride. With a commitment to patient-centered care, Dr. Hankins evaluates each patient comprehensively, ensuring treatments align with their best interests. A cosmetic surgeon specializing in face, breast, and body aesthetic surgery, Dr. Hankins brings extensive training in hand surgery and breast reconstruction after cancer. With five plastic surgery fellowships under distinguished mentors in the US and UK, including at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and memberships with the American Board of Pathology (ABP), the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS), the American Association of Anti-Aging Medicine (AAAAM), and the Texas Medical Association (TMA), Dr. Hankins is dedicated to delivering exceptional results. He earned his medical degree from the University of Texas (Hook them Horns!) In the medical branch at Galveston, he completed rigorous training in general surgery and anatomic and clinical pathology. He’s the surgeon you’ve been looking for, and I can’t wait to meet you.
Most patients have reported that their spider vein treatments are minimally painful. Some people may have a higher pain threshold than others. When the solution is injected into the affected veins, you will most likely feel a mild burning sensation, a slight pinch, or minimal discomfort. After the procedure, you might experience mild soreness, but that will subside within a few hours to the next day. Over-the-counter pain relievers are suggested to aid in pain or discomfort.
Every patient will have unique needs, but on average, patients can expect to undergo at least three to four sessions to see the best results.
After spider vein treatment, most people immediately notice a reduction in their spider veins and see them disappear within three to six weeks. Dr. Hankins may give you compression stockings to wear on your legs for up to three weeks to minimize bruising and maintain compression on the treated veins.
Absolutely! Our Houston spider vein treatment patients often combine other skin rejuvenation procedures, such as Laser Genesis, to enhance their results. Whatever your aesthetic goals are, please feel free to discuss them with Dr. Hankins so he can provide you with his expert recommendations.
Before committing to the benefits of a spider vein treatment, it’s essential to review the risks and potential complications of this treatment. Dr. Hankins at Premier Plastic Surgery will thoroughly discuss these risks for those patients looking for treatment in the Houston area. Even though it is a generally safe procedure, these risks can include:
Facial veins are dilated blood vessels that have weakened over long periods. Varicose and spider veins are small, thin blood vessels seen under the skin on the face and legs. They range in size and are commonly seen in middle-aged, fair-skinned men and women.
They typically appear on the following:
While dilated veins can develop in any body area, they most often appear on the face and legs. Dr. Hankins has several advanced laser therapy modalities to target and heat the hemoglobin inside the affected blood vessels, which causes the blood vessels to thicken and become absorbed by the body. With his advanced approach, patients can treat spider veins in the face.
Dr. Hankins can treat various types of facial veins with several different types of lasers and pulsed light (IPL) technology, depending on the size and depth of the blood vessels. These focused treatments are quick and usually collapse and close off the vessels in just a few sessions, with the remaining coloration dissipating over several months. Many patients will notice improvement in the offending vessels after one to a few weeks of treatment sessions.
Dilated veins may also appear in the lower extremity and are amenable to injection or laser treatment.
In addition to unsightly blood vessels, Dr. Hankins has an arsenal of various laser modalities to treat a host of other skin imperfections.
Dr. Hankins and his staff at Premier Plastic Surgery are happy to offer leg vein and facial vein removal treatments to patients living in and around Houston and the surrounding areas in South Houston, including Lake Jackson. Contact our office to schedule a free consultation.
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