Discoloration of legs after vein treatment?

Yes, this is correct.  Some discoloration and/or bruising can happen after EVLA. Bruising usually resolves within several weeks. Discoloration after EVLA is more likely when the vein is very surperficial and with certain skin tones.  When discoloration does happen, it can take months and in some cases up to a year or so to fully resolve. Avoid sun exposure over the areas of discoloration to lessen risk of this becoming darker or permanent.  

It’s important to distinguish between varicose veins and spider veins when choosing between laser therapy, sclerotherapy, and vein surgery. With two board certified vein specialists, our center uses a combination of visual examination, functional flow measurements, ultrasound, transillumination, and infrared light to map out vein networks prior to therapy. Lasers can be used to treat deep varicose vein insufficiency, vein perforators, and varicose veins. Sclerotherapy is ideal for spider veins and reticular veins. Whereas surgery is reserved for severely incompetent varicose vein segments.


Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 surgeon

This is typical and to be expected after treatment. Between 3-6 weeks after treatment, your doctor should check for trapped blood, which may need to be expressed.

Hi and thank you for your question. It is important to remember that not all the cases are the same and not everyone responds to treatment in the same way. Moreover, bruising, redness, and sensitivity are all normal post treatment and it is important to let it heal. I recommend that you keep your follow ups with your vein doctor and let him re-evaluate with ultrasound imaging to check for patency of your venous system. Coming back for your follow up appointment with the vein doctor is very important as well as communicating any question or concern. 

Your doctor is correct.  Following a laser ablation the treated veins will start to contract and eventually dissolve.  During this process the blood that was in the veins escapes into the surrounding tissues and usually over the one to two weeks post procedure you will see bruising and discoloration along the course of the treated veins.  This will resolve with time.

Your doctor is correct.  This is from the iron pigments in the blood causing the bruised look/ discolored areas.  We often refer to it as staining when it looks more like a brown line or spot.The good news is that it will almost always go away.  But it can take time.  Studies have shown 90 % of patients with this have resolution by 1 year.A couple of things you can do is use Arnica cream- its over the counter and helps clear bruises quicker.  The other is to make sure not to tan or expose these areas to the sun as it may actually darken them.Good luck to you,Dr. Powell