Smaller varicose veins and spider veins can be treated with injection treatments. This form of treatment is called injection sclerotherapy. Irritating solutions are injected into unsightly or diseased veins and when the solution comes into contact with the vein wall, it causes scarring and closure of the veins in question. There are 2 main types of sclerotherapy: Liquid sclerotherapy and foam sclerotherapy.
Liquid sclerotherapy is the older form of treatment and originated in Europe. With liquid sclerotherapy, the solutions are injected directly into visible veins on the surface under direct visualization. Liquids are used to inject both spider veins and reticular (or green veins). It is sometimes also used in larger veins but has been largely replaced by foam sclerotherapy.
Foam sclerotherapy is a type of treatment where the sclerosing solution being injected into the vein is mixed with a gas and tiny bubbles are formed. The beauty of this treatment is that the solution can be seen on an ultrasound and injected exactly at the right point of reflux in the vein. In addition, foam solutions behave like stronger liquid solutions, without the risks associated with them.
For larger varicose veins, Dr. Ursel uses the minimally invasive Venaseal procedure. For more information on Venaseal, please contact Kawartha Skin Care.
