Is there a better time of year to get my varicose veins treated?
If you have varicose veins, you’ve probably at least thought about seeking treatment for them. However, have you ever wondered if there’s an ideal time of year to begin varicose vein treatment? Believe it or not, there is.
When is the best time of year for varicose vein treatment?
Fall and winter are the ideal time of year for varicose vein treatment for a few reasons. For one, you can wear long pants that cover up any physical or cosmetic issues like slight bruising or discoloration that can be associated with recovery. Also, we like to tell our patients to avoid sun exposure in the weeks following treatment, and that’s easier to do in the fall and winter months.
But, regardless of the time of year you seek help for your varicose veins, first things first. The initial step in treating varicose veins is to identify the cause. A consultation with one of our vein specialists involves a detailed physical exam and history, as well as an ultrasound of the legs to evaluate for an upstream cause of the unsightly veins.
If there is incompetence in the veins, the blood flows backward and causes the varicose veins to dilate and bulge. This can be seen in an ultrasound. Once evaluated, we can recommend a treatment plan. If there is a problem with vein reflux or the valves, we need to fix the central issue to avoid recurrence of the varicose veins. This treatment can involve compression stockings or vein ablation.
Simple, In-Office Treatment for Varicose Veins
If there is no central vein incompetence, we can proceed to sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy is a procedure in which a tiny needle is used to inject medicine to scar the varicose veins closed. As the medicine, called sclerosing agent, is injected, you can actually watch the veins disappear!
After sclerotherapy, it is common to have some bruising. This is because small amounts of blood can leak from the tiny needle holes. Also, brown discoloration on the skin can be found after the treatment. This is a result of the iron-rich blood cells leaking into the skin and staining it. This is generally short-lived but can be worsened by sunlight.
For this reason, we try to do sclerotherapy treatments during the cooler months, so the legs have time to heal and are covered with pants. Patients with darker or sensitive skin are at higher risk for the brown staining. The risk can be reduced by using an experienced vein specialist and by wearing compression. The less bleeding there is under the skin, the less likely the staining will occur. Massage and topical ointments have also been found to improve the outcome of the skin staining.
September marks the beginning of fall, so now is the perfect time to have your varicose veins evaluated! Schedule an appointment with our experienced vein experts to get started
The Vein Center at Lam Vascular & Associates: We are Here for You
At The Vein Center, we are your trusted resource for helping you fully understand your options and, with guidance from Dr. Jenna Wishnew, choose the right treatment for you.
This state-of-the-art facility is dedicated entirely to the diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment of venous conditions. An evaluation at The Vein Center at Lam Vascular & Associates is non-invasive and is the best way to know the health of your veins.
Schedule your evaluation at The Vein Center at Lam Vascular & Associates today.
