What to Do Before the Aesthetic Treatment of Varicose Veins?

In addition to complaints such as leg pain and swelling deriving from the varicose veins, they also disturb patients due to the poor appearance they cause. Varicose veins divide into two groups; thin or medium-sized varicose veins that are aesthetically significant, and the large varicose veins causing pain and swelling in the leg.

Thin capillary varicose veins, the 'telangiectasia,' are red or purple with a diameter of lower than 0.2 millimeters. Medium-sized varicose veins, "reticular veins," are blue or green with a diameter of 0.2 - 2 millimeters. Large varicose veins are noticeably bulging and twisting on the skin surface and are larger than 2 millimeters in diameter. Patients want their legs to get aesthetically better and their complaints to be solved, regardless of the size or type of varicose veins. 

Which Methods are Used in the Aesthetic Treatment of Varicose Veins?

Aesthetic treatment of varicose veins aims to restore the poor appearance caused by the varicose veins by applying "non-surgical varicose vein treatment methods." The field of medicine consisting of the treatments in this scope is called "aesthetic phlebology." The 'sclerotherapy' or needle therapy is a widely used method, especially in the treatment of small and medium-sized varicose veins. It is applied by injecting a drug with a vascular closure feature into these varicose veins by an injector with a thin needle tip. The drug can be applied in liquid form or in the form of foam by mixing with air using two injectors. The transdermal laser" and "transdermal radiofrequency," which are heat energy applications on the skin, are among other methods used in the small and medium varicose vein treatment. The intravenous laser or radiofrequency, medical adhesive and microsurgical "mini phlebectomy" methods are mainly used to close the superficial vein in treating the large varicose veins.

What to Do Before the Aesthetic Treatment of Varicose Veins?

Regardless of the method used,  certain steps must be followed before treatment. First of all, the patient must be examined by a cardiovascular surgeon. Cardiovascular Surgeons are physicians who have specialized training for at least five years on examining the heart and circulatory system, diagnosis of diseases, and appropriate treatment methods, including surgery.

A mutual discussion is held with the patient about his/her complaints, medical history, history of venous clots, and previous venous interventional treatments. Then the patient is examined in detail. Finally, a leg vein ultrasonography is carried out. Venous mapping is done with ultrasonography examination. The deep and superficial vein system, bridge veins connecting deep and superficial veins, the "perforating veins," are examined. Venous clots or occlusion, the blood flow direction, whether there is a backward blood leak, 'venous reflux', and the vein diameters are measured. Venous ultrasonography, that is, "color Doppler" examination, is critical for the correct treatment planning. A patient-specific treatment plan is created by considering the ultrasonography report, patient's complaints, physical examination findings, and patient expectations.

Even the capillary varicose veins that are superficial and thin in the leg might consist of thicker veins that are often invisible from the outside but feeding that region from the bottom. If the aesthetic treatment of the varicose vein is performed without accurate evaluation by ultrasonography or LED transillumination devices, the result will fail. Besides, sclerotherapy is not a simple procedure, contrary to popular belief, and can lead to very substantial side effects. These side effects consist of permanent scarring on the skin due to the administration of excessive concentration of liquid medication, chest tightness due to an excessive amount of foam from wound opening, and even worsening or temporary vision loss.

For these reasons, it would be appropriate to perform the aesthetic treatment of varicose veins by the experienced doctors, who work intensively in their daily business practices in the field, especially in varicose veins. It is never appropriate to perform sclerotherapy without following the medical steps described above and without performing a leg vein ultrasonography examination. Sclerotherapy or transdermal laser applications in beauty centers are both illegal and extremely risky for health.

In conclusion, a patient's aesthetic concerns due to varicose veins should be taken as seriously as the complaints about pain or swelling. The most important factor in treatment success is that the treatment is performed by the doctors devoted to the field of "aesthetic phlebology." In this sense, if you are looking for a doctor who intensely deals with "the aesthetic treatment of varicose veins," you must be examined by Assoc. Prof. Dr. İlker Kiriş and get his opinion.