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Hyperpigmentation from Veinwave Treatment

I had Veinwave treatment for spider veins, which left me with awful hyperpigmentation marks that look worse than the thread veins. Although the doctor told me they would fade away in a few months, it's been over a year now, and I still have them. I've tried the fadeout cream (religiously for 4 months) but it hasn't made the slightest difference. Is there any kind of treatment that would rid me of these very unsightly marks?

Asked 37 months ago by ssara in uk
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+2

Hyperpigmentation after Veinwave

Unfortunately, even with all of our advances in treating spider veins, there is always a risk of hyperpigmentation or hemosiderin staining after any of the treatment modalities (veinwave, laser, sclero (regardless of solution)) Time is truly the best tincture. It may take many months or even years but the pigmentation resulting from treatment does generally fade. Sometimes tretinoin helps speed the process, but it can be irritating and sun sensitizing. Good luck... more
Grant Stevens, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+2

Be Patient - Veinwave and Sclerotherapy and other treatments can cause hyperpigmentation

As well as your experience with VeinWave, sclerosing solutions used to obliterate spider veins and reticular veins can cause pigment deposition in the skin. How often does this occur? It has been observed in up to 1/3 of patients when hypertonic saline is used as the sclerosing solution, in 7 to 31 % of patients when polidochanol is used, and in 10% to 80% of patients treated with STS solution (sodium tetradecyl sulfate). The good news is that pigmentation is usually temporary and rarely... more
Hratch Karamanoukian, MD
Buffalo General Surgeon
+1

Veinwave

Hyperpigmentation from veinwave rarely occurs but if it does give it a tincture of time and tretinoin can help too. may take 1-2 years to fade.
Timothy Mountcastle, MD
Ashburn General Surgeon
+1

A topical retinoid may help.

A topical retinoid such as retin-a or adapalene may help with the pigmentation. I would advise mixing the retin-a with a bland moisturizer first, as applying retin-a directly can irritate the skin. Retin-a does require a prescription. Over-the-counter products, however containing retinol or retinaldehyde are alternatives. I would also bring this issue to the attention of the individual who performed your veinwave treatment. Good luck!
Bryan K. Chen, MD
San Diego Dermatologist
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