Raleigh Vein & Laser Center

Varicose veins are ropy appearing blue vessels under the skin, usually ¼ inch or larger in diameter. They are most often branches from the saphenous trunk veins, and have enlarged due to the excess pressure in the saphenous system. Varicose veins are unsightly and often painful. A clotted varicose vein causes the classic phlebitis, hot and red and painful skin at the site of the clot. Beside the visible symptoms, physical symptoms are tiredness, restless legs at night, heaviness in the leg, pain, aching, itching, throbbing & swelling, burning or a cramping sensation.

Spider veins, medically known as telangiectases are dilated capillary veins less than 2mm. in diameter. They are small blue to red appearing blood vessels that lie close to the surface of the skin and occur either in lines or web-like patterns. They are usually visible on the legs but sometimes are visible around the nose and lips and are commonly referred to as “broken veins.” While they can ache, burn or itch now and then, but they are usually not symptomatic. Spider veins are not harmful and are simply unsightly. The cause is largely genetic but can also be due to pregnancy, childbirth, use of birth-control pills, estrogen-replacement therapy, prolonged standing, physical trauma, lifestyle changes, aging and use of corticosteroids.

After a comprehensive evaluation that includes an ultrasound examination of the veins. Dr. Hong Messier will determine the optimal treatment for each individual‘s needs. Our Services Include: EndoVenous Laser Ablation for varicose veins EndoVenous Laser treatment is a minimally ultrasound technique for treating Saphenous vein reflux. Dr. Messier threads a laser fiber through a catheter into the vein to seal it shut. With the closure of the vein, the branch veins – those veins close to the skin – shrink and lose their unsightly appearance. The endovenous methods to remove saphenous veins and varicose veins from the leg circulation are a great improvement over the old stripping surgery. The new methods are far less traumatic, and allow our patients to return to work and to normal activities within a few days. European microsurgical ambulatory phlebectomy for varicose veins Ambulatory phlebectomy procedure involves removing varicose veins surgically through punctures so small that sutures are not needed. Post-op discomfort is minimal. Sclerotherapy for varicose veins and spider veins A tiny needle is used to inject a solution into the involved vein, causing it to close down and be absorbed by the body. There is little discomfort with the procedure. Elastic compression hose are worn after each treatment. Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy The method used to treat the somewhat deeper blue bulging medium-sized varicose veins. Dr. Messier injects a foam sclerosant solution into the vein with ultra sound guidance. She targets the affected area by following the path of the solution with a sonogram during the treatment. The sclerosing agent causes the vein to close and eventually disappear. This treatment is generally done in the office with little or no downtime. Traditional Sclerotherapy The injection of a foam sclerosant solution with a very small needle into the surface vein under direct vision, frequently using magnification. Foam Sclerotherapy The injection of chemical foam (Varithena) into saphenous veins and large varicose veins causes them to dissolve. Cynosure Diode laser for reticular and spider veins The Cynosure Elite contains two laser systems – a 755 nm and a 1065 nm wavelength Cynosure Laser is the device used for facial and leg vein. It is frequently used for blue lakes of the lip.

The Elite+ Aesthetic Workstation is built on two clinically proven wavelengths—the 755 nm Alexandrite and 1064 nm Nd:YAG lasers, which allow performance of aesthetic laser treatments with unsurpassed efficacy and client comfort for facials, sun damaged skin, age/sun spot removal, spider vein treatment and hair removal. Laser technology is one of the leading methods to quickly diminish the look of sun damage on the skin and remove pigmented areas such as sun and or age spots. Using the principle of selective photothermolysis, laser-based treatment targets different molecules in the skin that are responsible for the sun damaged regions and lesions. The darker regions/lesions selectively absorb the laser or light energy as heat and the damaged pigmented skin and lesions are then toned and cleared by the body. How Does Laser Treatment Rejuvenate the Skin? The Cynosure Laser is used for skin rejuvenation on the face, hands, neck and chest. The benefits are mild/moderate skin tightening, reduction in facial lines, and lessening of pigment changes. Skin Rejuvenation is accomplished through the heat from the laser. By heating your skin collagen production is increased, which decreases in our skin as we age. Laser skin rejuvenation should be done every 3-4 weeks for 4-6 treatments for the best results. What are pigmented areas? Sun spots and other hyper-pigmentation lesions appear on the skin as a darker color. They look like a freckle, but can be larger. Though commonly found with fair skin types, sun spots can appear on almost any skin tone from repeated sun exposure/damage. Age spots are most commonly found on the face, hands, arms, chest and legs. How does the Cynosure laser work on pigmented spots? The wavelengths of laser light reduce sun damage and clear pigmented lesions by targeting melanin. The darker pigmented lesion absorbs the heat from the laser and reacts by turning even darker, almost black. Then, the pigmented areas crust up and flake off. They undergo a mild desquamation and slough off, removing the appearance of the lesion from the skin. Does Cynosure laser treatment hurt? The Cynosure state of the art laser system contains a tissue surface-cooling device, which continuously blows cold air on the skin surface at the site of the laser pulse. This reduces the pain of the laser pulse, allowing a gentle fast treatment to the pigmented areas. The feeling of the laser treatment on the skin is often described as a small rubber band pop. How many treatments does it take to remove sun or age spots? The frequency of treatments for pigmentation and sun/age spots is between 4-8 weeks to allow the skin to regenerate. The required number of treatments varies with each individual depending on the location of the sites on the body. Average client treatments are typically 1-3 sessions. How to Care for Skin After Laser Treatment Application of a skin-moistening agent such as Aquaphor, Vaseline, or Aloe should be applied 2-3 times a day until area is healed. This is usually 5-7 days. Restrain from picking or scrubbing area as this may lead to scarring.

Varithena injectable foam is for the treatment of incompetent Saphenous veins, accessory veins, and visible varicosities of the Saphenous system above and below the knee. Varithena improves the symptoms of superficial venous reflux and the appearance of visible varicosities. Dr. Messier injects a small amount of Varithena into the vein under ultrasound guidance. The microfoam fills and treats the desired section of the vein. The diseased vein collapses, and the foam is diluted in the bloodstream and flushed out.

VenaSeal is indicated for use in the permanent closure of the lower extremity superficial truncal veins, such as the great saphenous vein (GSV). The destruction of the vein is accomplished through endovascular embolization with coaptation. During the procedure, the vein is compressed with gentle pressure using ultrasound.