Which is better: Sclerotherapy or laser?
Sclerotherapy and laser vein treatment are two options available to patients who struggle with varicose veins. Each of these treatments offers different advantages. Below is some basic information to help you determine which vein treatment option is better for you.
About Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is a procedure that can be used to treat both spider veins and varicose veins. It works by introducing a sclerosing solution to the interior of the vein, which irritates the walls of the vein and causes them to stick together. Eventually, the body absorbs the treated vein and it fades from view. This procedure requires no hospital stay and has very few side effects. Most patients notice little to no pain during the procedure, and the majority of people are able to return to their normal activities almost immediately.
About Laser Vein Treatment
Laser vein treatment is usually reserved for varicose veins. During this procedure, the surgeon inserts a thin catheter into the abnormal vein. He or she uses this catheter to deliver laser energy to the interior of the vein, which heats the walls of the vein and forces it to seal shut. Blood then flows into healthier veins nearby. Like sclerotherapy, laser vein treatment is performed as an outpatient procedure. It causes very little pain and patients will recover quickly after the procedure is complete.
Which Is Better?
Both laser vein treatment and sclerotherapy can be effective for patients with varicose veins. However, depending on the specifics of the patient’s condition, as well as his or her treatment goals, one of these treatments may be better than the other. For example, large, symptomatic veins located deep within the tissues may respond better to laser vein treatment than to sclerotherapy.
The most effective way to determine which of these treatment options is best for your needs is to consult an experienced vein specialist. A specialist will be able to look at your veins and recommend the treatment that will work better in your case. Please contact Desert Vein Institute today to make an appointment with a Las Vegas Vein Treatment specialist.