At the office of Mimi Lee, MD in Little Rock, AR, we often see clients who are fed up with the appearance of their varicose veins. These veins can pop up anywhere, including the face, hands, and calves. They impede upon clients’ quality of life. That’s why we proudly offer VenaSeal. Today, we reveal everything you need to know about this life-changing treatment.
How Does Venaseal Work?
This treatment involves placing a tiny amount of VenaSeal vein glue inside the vein. This is achieved by a tiny catheter. The vein glue closes the affected vein. Immediately, blood re-routes through healthier localized veins.
One of our favorite things about this treatment is it isn’t just for lipoedema and varicose veins in the legs. It can also be used for pelvic, vaginal, and vulvar varicose veins caused by pregnancy.
What It’s Made of
This vein adhesive is a special type of hypoallergenic super-glue known as cyanoacrylate. This particular formulation has been researched, tested, and improved upon for years to achieve some unique properties that make it the most effective vein glue on the market.
As soon as it comes into contact with the blood inside the vein wall, it starts to polymerize. This means that the sealing of the broken vein is nearly immediate and the glue doesn’t escape the targeted area and circulate throughout your body. It is so soft and elastic that you won’t notice it once it’s applied. There are no long-term adverse effects, and it is anti-microbial.
The History of Cyanoacrylates
While Venaseal was only FDA-approved in February 2015, cyanoacrylates have been used safely and effectively since the 1950s. From closing skin incisions to repairing internal wounds, medical-grade super-glue has been a go-to around the world. In its advent, it was most commonly used as a substitute for suturing in children with open skin wounds.
As the decades marched on, it started to be used in ophthalmic procedures, cosmetic procedures, dental procedures, and orthopedic procedures. Today, medical scientists are realizing its applications in the treatment of varicose veins throughout the body, as well as the intravascular occlusion of cerebral arteriovenous malformations and varicoceles, among other applications.
Benefits of This Treatment
The primary benefit of Venaseal treatment is there is no need for a regional nerve block or a significant amount of expensive anesthesia. Moreover, you do not have to take certain medications in advance of your treatment to prepare your body. There is no pain. There is no downtime. There is no recovery period. You can return to your daily routine immediately.
Moreover, because this treatment does not involve lasers, there is no risk of burning the skin or damaging the nerve. There is just the application of hypoallergenic, medical-grade vein glue.
Efficacy
No varicose vein treatment is perfect. However, third-party clinical trials in America have proven this treatment has a 99.9% closure rate over the past five years. Similar case studies in Germany have shown a 98.9% closure rate after just one treatment.
How to Prepare for Treatment
During your initial consultation, we will review your medical history and current health to determine if this is the ideal treatment for you. Some people may be a good candidate but need to stop taking certain medications depending on their medical history. For instance, people with a blood disease may need to stop taking blood thinners and supplements that thin the blood.
Do not shave the treatment area immediately before treatment. Avoid applying moisturizer to the treatment area on the day of treatment. Make sure you wear loose clothes and comfy shoes. If you are worried about pain, take ibuprofen or paracetamol. Also, ask us about a small amount of local anesthesia if you’re concerned.
What to Expect During Treatment
Before treatment, your skin will be sanitized with alcohol to remove dirt, debris, and bacteria. Then, the treatment area will be injected with a small amount of a local anesthetic. Once the area is numb, the catheter is inserted into your leg and delivers the glue. This is guided by ultrasound technology. Then the catheter is removed and a bandage is placed over the treatment site.
What to Expect After Treatment
After treatment, we will give you comprehensive instructions on post-treatment care. While there is no pain, discomfort, or recovery period, there are still some things you should do for the best results. For instance, you should take a 10-minute walk before you drive home. You are also advised to walk for at least 10 to 15 minutes per day.
While there are no strict restrictions on your daily activities, we strongly encourage our clients to avoid standing still for more than 15 minutes at a time. You should avoid over four hours of continuous travel, such as cross-country flights, for three to four weeks after treatment. Two weeks after treatment, you should come in for an ultrasound to check the treated veins.
Discover How to Improve Your Quality of Life Today
Are you sick and tired of the appearance of your varicose veins? Do you experience swelling, itching, discomfort, pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness? Do you have red blotchy spots on top of your diseased veins? If so, Venaseal may be just the treatment for you.
To learn more about this life-changing treatment, please contact us today at the office of Mimi Lee, MD in Little Rock, AR to schedule your initial consultation. We can’t wait to meet you and help you improve your aesthetic and comfort with a single safe, effective treatment.