Reduce The Risk Of Scars By Getting Those Varicose Veins Treated Early

The sooner you have a varicose vein removed, the less likely it is that you'll have any remaining scars. Tiny varicose veins can be removed without a trace. If you allow the vein to get larger, more invasive procedures are required for their removal and you will end up with some scars. Here is what you need to know about varicose veins and having them removed so you have no unsightly scars.

Blood Vessels Gone Bad

A varicose vein is a blood vessel that has lost its ability to pump blood through it. The blood begins to pool in the blood vessel, stretching it out. In the early stages, the vessel is barely noticeable as larger and slightly bluish under the skin. When treated at this point, the varicose vein can be removed, leaving no trace.

When left untreated, the blood vessel expands to accommodate the blood pooling in it. The vessel can twist and turn on itself until you have a large dark blue vein easily visible under the skin. These blood vessels must be surgically removed and will likely leave you with several scars.

Treatment Options for Varicose Veins

The vascular surgeon will recommend a treatment option based on how advanced the varicose veins have become.

Sclerotherapy - Medication is injected directly into each individual varicose vein. This irritates the blood vessel, causing it to collapse. The remaining tissue from the vein is absorbed by your body, leaving no trace of the vessel. This treatment is done on the smallest varicose veins. It may need to be repeated to remove all of the veins in an area where you've had multiple blood vessels affected.

Laser Varicose Vein Treatment - A tiny laser is used to damage the blood vessel and cause it to shrink. The vessel is absorbed by the body, again without a trace. This treatment is used on varicose veins larger than what can be treated by sclerotherapy.

Vein Stripping - When a varicose vein becomes larger than what can be treated by medication or laser therapy, it must be removed surgically. Vein stripping is used when the affected vein has become very long. A plastic or metal rod is placed into the vein through an incision and threaded down through the length of the vein. Multiple incisions are made along the length of the vein. The vein is then tied to the rod. The rod is slowly pulled out of your leg, removing the vein with it. Vein stripping will leave scars where the incisions were made.

Phlebectomy - Very large varicose veins must be cut up and removed in pieces. Several incisions are made over the vein so it can be dissected and removed. This procedure often produces bruising and permanent scars.

Tiny varicose veins can be removed completely and without a trace. If you wait until the vein becomes much larger and more noticeable, you will have to deal with the scars and bruising from the surgical procedure.

For varicose vein treatment, contact a company such as The Sheen Vein Institute.