Center of Dermatology and Laser Surgery of Philadelphia
Written by Dr. Ringpfeil
| Sclerotherapy | Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL) | Nd:YAG | KTP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Veins | +++ | +++ | ++ | +++ |
| Blue Veins | +++ | + | +++ | ++ |
| # Treatments | 1 or more | 2-4 | 2-5 | 1-4 |
| Bruising (months) | 3-6 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Cost/session | $150-$700 | $150-$700 | $150-$700 | $150-$700 |
Treatments: sclerotherapy, sclerolaser (PDL, Nd:YAG, KTP) and Pulsed Dye Laser.
Sclerotherapy is a method aimed at closing unsightly spider veins on the legs, face, or other body areas. Various substances can be injected to achieve this result. Detergents or foaming agents are generally considered painless while hypertonic saline injections may cause some discomfort, although both provide similar results and recovery periods. Sclerotherapy is typically used for larger spider veins and may be followed by sclerolaser treatments to address extremely fine vessels that didn’t respond to sclerotherapy.
Depending on the examination, ultrasound may be necessary to exclude reflux, which can hinder treatment success. If reflux is detected, consultation with a vascular surgeon may be required to address underlying varicosities.
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