Both Spider Veins and Reticular Veins are treated non-surgically in one of three ways: Sclerotherapy, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) or Intense Pulsed Laser treatment. With all three procedures, the cells that line the inside wall of the veins are distressed either by chemical injection (sclerotherapy) or heat (Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Intense Pulsed Laser (IPL)). The body then begins the healing process, during this time the veins shrink. The degree and speed of shrinkage depends on your body's ability to heal. The number of treatments necessary to resolve your vein problem depends on the size of the vein and your body's ability to heal. It is worth noting that medical studies have documented exceptional results on Spider Veins and Reticular Veins using the Intense Pulsed Laser. The Intense Pulsed Laser treatment allows customized treatment of virtually every small vein disorder, including deep veins and veins that did not respond to other treatment methods. Moreover, results occurred with fewer sessions. Even multi-colored tattoos can be removed with our Intense Pulsed Laser.

Sclerotherapy^TM is administered with an ultra-fine needle. A solution called Sotradecol is injected directly into spider veins, and a stronger solution is injected into larger, reticular veins.

• Normal side effects: Redness, itching, swelling.
• Adverse effects: Bruising, hyperpigmentation, matting (usually temporary).
• Indications: Spider, reticular and small varicose veins.
• Restrictions: Patients who bruise easily, or may not heal well.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a non-invasive treatment for spider veins, reticular veins, age spots, and a full range of benign lesions. Intense Pulsed Light delivers a concentrated pulse of light to the vein to be treated. The light heats the blood vessels, which causes damage to the vessel walls. As a result, the veins shrink and disappear. Intense Pulsed Light penetrates the unwanted vessel without damaging or scarring the surrounding tissue. Clinical results may vary with skin type. For example, people who sunburn easily usually have good results. On the other hand, people who tan easily tend to have more variation in response to treatment. Some patients in this latter category have excellent results, while some experience partial improvement, and others experience no improvement.

A typical Intense Pulsed Light treatment is done in the office. The advantages of Intense Pulsed Light are that it is non-invasive (no needles), nontoxic (no sclerosing agent is used), and no anesthetic cream is needed with treatment. After the treatment, patients may resume normal activity. During the course of the treatment sessions, patients are advised to limit sun exposure to the treated areas. This may cause a severe sunburn right after treatment. If a person is too tan, Intense Pulsed Light treatment may have to stop until the tan has disappeared. In this case, Sclerotherapy can still be used to resolve spider and reticular veins. Intense Pulsed Light treatments are given four (4) weeks apart.

• Normal side effects: At each pulse of light, the patient feels a sensation of being snapped by a rubber band. Some reddening of the skin appears after treatment which disappears in 1-2 days.
• Adverse effects: Minimal and primarily short term. Possible side effects include: swelling, redness, bruising, blisters, hair loss, pigmentation change that is usually temporary, and in rare cases, scarring.
• Indications for use: Port wine stains, reddish birthmarks, freckles, hemangiomas, spider veins, reticular veins, and hair removal.
• Restrictions for use: Intense Pulsed Light cannot be used on people with very dark or black skin, pregnant women, people taking medications such as tetracycline and anticoagulants, patients who have had skin resurfacing procedures, and use on malepatients without the risk of hair loss. Those people who suffer from diabetes or have a history of keloid scarring, or any of the above listed situations should discuss the problem with Dr. Richardson before beginning treatment.

Intense Pulsed Laser (IPL) is the state-of-the-art, non-invasive treatment to eradicate Spider and Reticular veins deep inside the leg, while also being capable of treating shallow spider veins closer to the skin's surface. Intense Pulsed Laser is a real breakthrough in effectiveness and patient comfort. The versatility and effectiveness of Intense Pulsed Laser is extraordinary, and is one more example of our total commitment to patient care.

The Intense Pulsed Laser system uses a patented and proprietary technology that integrates full spectrum, intense pulsed light, with high-energy, high-power, near-infrared pulsed laser energy. This energy acts in a manner similar to Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) in that it heats the blood vessels, which causes damage to the vessel walls. As a result, the veins shrink and disappear. It should be noted that Intense Pulsed Laser selectively penetrates the unwanted vessel without damage or scarring to surrounding tissue.

Intense Pulsed Laser treatment is performed in the office. The Intense Pulsed Laser advantage is that it eliminates the need for some surgery. After treatment, patients may resume normal activity. During the course of treatment, patients are advised to limit sun exposure on the treated areas. Sun exposure may cause a severe sunburn right after treatment. Intense Pulsed Laser technology can eradicate both deep and shallow (small) vein problems in the same session. Intense Pulsed Laser treatments are given three (3) weeks apart.

• Normal side effects: At each pulse of light, the patient feels a sensation of being snapped by a rubber band. Some reddening of the skin appears after treatment which disappears in 1-2 days.
  
• Adverse effects: Minimal and primarily short term. Possible side effects include: swelling, redness, bruising, blisters, hair loss, pigmentation change that is usually temporary, and in rare cases, scarring.
• Indications for use: Tired, achy legs, burning sensation, bulging veins.
• Restrictions for use: Intense Pulsed Laser cannot be used on people taking medications such as tetracycline and anticoagulants, patients who have had skin resurfacing procedures, and use on male patients without the risk of hair loss. Those people who have diabetes or a history of keloid scarring, or any of the above listed situations, should discuss the problem with Dr. Richardson before beginning treatment.