Buffalo Sclerotherapy doctors

Sclerotherapy is effective when appropriate veins are chosen for injection, always from proximal to distal areas of the lower extremities.

You asked about side effects and most importantly one should remember that any of the sclerosant solutions can cause hyperpigmentation which in rare cases, can last as long as a year or more.

To prevent hyperpigmentation, meticulous technique should be used as well as avoiding excessive pressure during the injection process to avoid extravasation of blood. As well, treating venous reflux disease will also reduce the likelihood of hyperpigmentation.

Another important problem can be clot formation in injected reticular veins which should be evacuated with a micro puncture blade to minimize dermal pigmentation - i.e. hyperpigmentation.

Sclerotherapy should be avoided in patients that have a history of deep vein thrombosis, in patients who are pregnant and patients who have phlebitis. It is also important to make sure that the patient is observed for 30 minutes in the office as some individuals can have hypersensitivity reactions that could be deadly (very rare).

As a phlebologist, I have performed microphlebectomy on the feet but do so very cautiously and caution patients that the risk of numbness is much higher because there are sensory nerves in this area where injury could cause debilitating discomfort.

The area rubs on the shoes and any numbness or increased sensitivity (hypersensitivity) can be sensed with every step. I tell patients that it is normal to have veins on the feet and unless they are enlarged and there is involved skin changes over the top of the foot, I recommend that they be left alone. Otherwise, microphlebectomy is helpful.

Another option for those who are skinny and have minimal fat is to inject with radiesse or other fillers. I use Radiesse and it works very well for the hands and should be used selectively in the feet. Unless you are a foot model and make a living modeling your feet, I would leave these veins alone.

There are veins in the ankle areas which are very different that veins in the feet and ankle veins originate from perforator veins. Phlebologists should be agressive in treating these. This is a different topic altogether and should be thought of differently than veins on the top of the feet.

Don't focus on cost, focus on experience in treating these problems. It is costly for a physician or health care provider to spend an hour to do sclerotherapy or to laser your veins. The best and most advanced laser machines cost in excess of 100,000 dollars and the laser handpieces have limited # of shots and that is why they are expensive to use.

Scleroterapy is time expensive as physician time is valuable, and sclerotherapy, in my opinion, is done not to generate profit but to complete the cosmetic end of complete vein care. Once the medical causes are treated with microphlebectomy or endovenous procedures (VNUS, EVLT), then the physician should address the spider and reticular veins, and in some cases, varicose veins with sclerotherapy. This will provide the cosmetic end result which patients are seeking.

In summary, find someone who provides you with excellent outcomes and be prepared to pay for their time and expertise. Ask questions about side effects, allergic reactions, hyperpigmentation and recurrence rates. Ask about the different sclerotherapy solutions, use of stockings after and how they minimize recurrence and hyperpigmentation, how the phsician addresses post sclerotherapy hyperpigmentation, and if hey have the experience to treat potential complications such as skin necrosis. These are more important than saving $50 or $100 or$ 200 dollars. You get what you pay for.