By John P. Landi, MD, FACS, RPVI, RPhS, Diplomate of The American Board of Phlebology –
When most people think of having veins treated, they are usually concerned with spider veins and varicose veins on their legs. However, with increasing frequency over the last ten years, there is a growing interest in eradicating ugly hand veins as well as facial veins on the forehead, temporal area, nose and cheeks. Treatment of both hand and facial veins fall under the category of cosmetic vein therapy.
Although both men and women develop prominent hand veins with age, women are usually more self conscious about them. Hand veins tend to become larger and more obvious due to loss of fat volume and muscle tone that occurs with the aging process. In fact, the same tissue deflation that occurs in the aging face occurs in the aging hand. The areas that are the telltale signs of aging are the face, neck and hands.
Treatment of Hand Veins
There are essentially two types of hand veins, smaller and larger. Smaller veins can be treated by sclerotherapy (injecting them with a solution) and the larger veins are best treated by inserting a laser into the vein (endovenous) and dissolving the vein just as is done in treating leg veins. This procedure is done under local anesthesia and is cosmetically very satisfactory.
Treatment of Facial Veins
Facial veins cal also be treated with excellent cosmetic results by a variety of modalities, such as topical laser, sclerotherapy, micro needle radio frequency, Vein Wave or Vein Gogh (both variations of topical radio frequency). Facial vein treatment usually requires three to five sessions at three to four week intervals. With the expanding aging population and the rapidly growing baby boomers, facial vein eradication is being sought after more and more.
About Dr. Landi
Dr. Landi is medical director of Vanish Vein and Laser Center, a state of the art, dedicated vein treatment center. He is one of less than 2,000 physicians worldwide to achieve the designation of Diplomate of the American Board of Phlebology. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a fellowship trained vascular surgeon, Board Certified in General Surgery and has achieved both the RPVI and RPhS certifications in vascular ultrasound.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please call Vanish Vein and Laser Center at 239-403-0800 or visit us online at www.vanishvein.com.