Can combination treatments of sclerotherapy and Vein Gogh laser take more than 11 treatments for the majority of veins to disappear?
I have had 11 combination treatments of sclerotherapy and Vein Gogh over 15 months. Right leg has numerous clusters of veins on the upper inside thigh, inner knee and back of the knee, along with lower leg and ankle. Some have lightened or improved somewhat but the majority are still present. I am getting impatient as most doctor's say 5-6 treatments will yield the disappearance of these veins. I have brown staining that is still with me after 6 months as well. FYI, I am still treating.
Answers from doctors (2)
Any vein treated by sclerotherapy should disappear weeks to months after treatment. If done properly, any vein will not require a second treatment. Sclerotherapy will remove dilated veins - venous telangiectasias (blue, purple usually greater than 0.2mm in diameter) and even large varicose veins - but is not effective for dilated capillaries - capillary telangiectasias (red, pink usually less than 0.2mm in diameter).
Vein Gogh requires insertion of a needle into a blood vessel in an attempt to thermocoagulate it, i.e, heat it. It is not selective and specific as are vascular lasers. 'Vascular' lasers are designed to treat, primarily, red lesions - dilated capillaries, spider angiomas, cherry hemangiomas, vascular stains. For any of these vascular lesions that are responsive to laser, it is far superior - safe, effective and efficient - compared to any electrosurgical device. There are capillaries, however, that will not respond to laser because they are too faint or the complexion is too dark for lasers. For these electrosurgical or thermocoagulation may be the only option.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
I would recommend a second opinion with a board-certified surgeon who specializes in these treatments. This second option should include an ultrasound. There could be vein reflux or refluxing small perforator/communicating veins.
The average number of treatments for an area of veins is between 3 to 5. While we can't guarantee a complete clearing of 100 percent, you should certainly be much happier at this stage.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
