Tattoo Removal and Spider Vein Treatments

Spider Veins and Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is considered to be the gold standard for the treatment of so-called spider veins. Spider veins are those unsightly clusters of red to blue lines most commonly on the thighs, calves and ankles.  

The procedure is simple and relatively painless except for a pinprick with a very fine needle.  In sclerotherapy, the dermatologist injects a sclerosing solution, usually either a detergent-like solution approved for the purpose or hypertonic saline. A small amount is injected directly into the spider vein and it causes the spider vein to just collapse and close off.  Generally, more than one treatment are required.

You might wonder if causing those small veins to close off does anydamage or harm to your vascular system? The answer is no.  These spider veins are not a required part of the venous system.  They are just a nuisance!  

Varicose veins are another unsightly venous condition of the leg.  This condition is different from spider veins insofar as these veins are larger, bulge, and much more commonly cause symptoms.  Sometimes sclerotherapy may be successfully used on these vessels, and sometime not.  Martin Dermatology limits its treatment to cosmetic spider veins.

Although men may have their spider veins treated identically to women, because of their hair, spider veins are not as commonly a cosmetic problem to men.  However, if men don’t like these spider veins, we can treat them too!

Women who are pregnant or nursing should not have sclerotherapy done until they are no longer pregnant or nursing. And while I am discussing who should not be treated, patients with blood-borne infectious diseases, I prefer to not treat such patients into all infection has resolved.

Sclerotherapy does not prevent new veins from developing so it is not uncommon, even after a successful cosmetic result, to want to have more treatment at a future time.  You also must be realistic about your expectation from this treatment.  While the veins will generally go away, occasionally they may not. Perfection, you must leave to Michaelangelo!

Are there complications that may occur?  Certainly, no treatment is without some risks.  Sometimes pigmentary changes occur (a laser treatment or time may help that), or rarely and unfortunately there may be some skin breakdown or a sore develop, or a “mat” of veins can appear, or even a scar.  But these complications (the list is not an exhaustive list of every possible complication) are uncommon and most cases go well.

Downloadable Sclerotherapy Instruction & Information Sheet

Sclerotherapy Leg Vein Information Sheet

Tattoo Removal

Tatoos can be removed by laser treatment.  Which laser is to be used depends on a variety of factors including the color of the tattoo, whether it was professionally done, how old the tattoo is, etc.

The first question most have about Tattoo Removal is how many sessions will it take?

     The answer is, it depends.  Sometime the tatoo will be sucessfully removed in 3 or 4 treatments and sometimes it may take 10-15!  This can only be determined by the  parameters of your particular tatoo and sometimes even then, it requires a treatment or two to get a good idea of how many treatments will be required.

The next question patients ask is will it hurt?

     The answer is, it does sting a bit, but if you are uncomfortable, we can apply a topical numbing anesthetic cream and this can blunt the sensation.  Most patients are so motivated to get rid of their tatoo that they will tolerate just about anything!

Another question is how long does each session take?

     The sessions are quick.  Generally ten minutes or so and you are done.  You leave the office with a dressing and some antibiotic ointment on the treated area.

How much does it cost?

     The cost per session depends on the size of the tattoo and complexity.  This should be discussed at your consultation.

Will it scar?

     Generally not although there is the possibiliy that the skin will change texture or on rare occassions to have some scarring.  It is a risk that you must accept but generally it will not happen.

How do I get started?

     Call and make an appointment with Dr. Sandy Martin at the prestigious Center for Dermatology and Skin Surgery in Tampa, FL at (813) 977-3600 right away!