» Cosmetic Varicose veins
Varicose veins can vary from unsightly, cosmetically annoying spider veins to large, ropey disfiguring varicose veins of potential functional medical consequence. The larger varicose veins are usually a sign that significant damage has occurred to the internal valve system or the interconnections in the vein network system. They are commonly the result of genetic inheritance, significant injury or past deep vein phlebitis and will usually require continuous support stocking use and/or surgery to correct them. The smaller, unsightly and cosmetically disfiguring spider veins and small areas of bulging or ectatic veins are more often found to be cosmetically unacceptable by those who suffer from these common and unsightly cosmetic defects. From an Anti-Aging medicine perspective, these aesthetically disturbing veins can be eliminated or significantly reduced using local injection therapy.
Dr. Edwards has been specifically trained in the European method of perivascular saline (salt water) injection, commonly referred to as the European "Dotting" method of vein elimination. The "dotting" refers to the fact that very small amounts of saline are injected along the outer vein wall and also diffusely around clusters of spider veins for elimination. Dr. Edwards has used this method of varicose vein elimination for over 10 years. "Dotting" with saline commonly results in small areas of temporary pigmentation of the skin as the veins fade. The pigmentation is temporary, lasting a few weeks in most cases, but gives the appearance of small "dots" or freckles that fade in a short time. Dr. Edwards instructs each patient in simple methods to accelerate the fading of the dots as the veins also fade. Temporary avoidance of direct sun exposure to the pigmented areas is strongly recommended because sunlight exposure delays the pigment fading.
The actual injection procedure is done with a needle approximately the width of a human hair. This is inserted multiple time just beneath the skin and along side of the vein being treated. A very small amount of the special saline solution is then injected, the needle removed and the next site is then injected. This process is repeated until all areas have been treated or the maximum amount of saline has been used. The procedure is done every two weeks for four to ten sessions, depending on the degree of vein problems before starting and the amount of sun exposure to the treated area of the legs. Occasionally more treatment sessions are needed, but due to the delayed effects on vein fading many patients who do not have full fading by the time the estimated number of injections is completed find that after simply waiting for 3 to 4 months the previously treated areas fade almost completely. This is another advantage of the dotting method over direct intravessel injection.
The only preparation required prior to injection of the veins is no shaving of the legs within 48 hours of injections and each patient is advised not to apply any lotions or creams to the legs the day of injection. Dr. Edwards also advises each patient to take one or two Advil™ or Nuprin™ an hour or two before starting to reduce the discomfort of the injections. In addition, clothing suitable for leg injections (ie. swim suit, short shorts, etc.) should be worn or brought to change into for the actual treatment session.
If you suffer from unsightly spider or varicose veins call Bio Health Center and make an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Edwards to see if this simple and highly effective form of cosmetic treatment can help you.
"No matter how skillful one becomes, the great mysteries of Life will always hover just out of reach. One can never know all the answers. In the reality of everyday medical practice, no one can guarantee any clinical result... but I and my certified staff can and do promise to try to help each individual patient to the best of our abilities, by using all our knowledge, skill and compassion. Having been trained as a 'medical scientist,' I can bear witness to the simple fact that statistical science and individual reality do not share the same experience. The Quantitative 'eye' of the scientist perceives a different Reality than the Qualitative 'I' of the patient. And yet modern statistical science dismisses individual patient experience as 'anecdotal' and 'biased.' Such dangerous nonsense has caused much suffering and harm. Individual patient experience is the only true measure of the Quality of care. Relief of suffering, not statistical significance, is the patients real quest, their only quest... and the true physician's ultimate goal. I believe it was in Plato's Phaedrus that Socrate's ask's, 'do we really need anyone to tell us what is right?' Homeopathic Integrative medical practice provides the patient and practitioner with simple, non-toxic methods of treatment for relief of suffering... a natural union of clinical Art and Science... the true essence of medical service."
- David A. Edwards, MD, HMD
