When you think of the natural aging process, what do you think of? Most people think of the impact of aging on their face, such as wrinkles, and volume loss. However, the normal aging process can cause unwanted changes on all areas of the body, including your hands! Just as there are treatments available to treat the effects of aging on the face, there are hand rejuvenation treatments available. Learn how sclerotherapy may be used to achieve a smoother, refreshed appearance for your hands during a consultation with our team at Shaheen Vascular in Monterey or Mountain View, CA!
What Is Hand Rejuvenation?
Hand rejuvenation is a type of sclerotherapy on hands treatment to reduce unwanted signs of aging and promote a refreshed appearance of the backs of hands. Skin naturally becomes thinner, weaker, develops aging spots, and draws more attention to bulging veins in the hand and wrist.
Sclerotherapy hands is a popular vein treatment. This safe and effective treatment involves injecting a special solution (Polidocanol) into varicose veins and spider veins, causing them to close and re-route to other, healthier veins. The vein eventually fades, creating a smoother appearance. The procedure is very quick and convenient, usually requiring less than an hour to perform, and patients report little to no discomfort outside of a slight burning sensation.
What Could I Expect from a Sclerotherapy Hand Treatment?
Hand sclerotherapy involves injecting a FDA approved chemical (Polidoconol) into the vein in order to collapse the unsightly vein(s) of interest.
There is no set downtime associated with treatment, and you should be able to return to your normal daily activities. Compression gloves help reduce any inflammation and swelling that may be present. You may notice some bruising, redness, or spots in the treatment area.
Results achieved with using sclerotherapy for hand rejuvenation will vary for each person. However, most people begin to notice some initial results after treatment, but enjoy the best results after a few months. Not only does sclerotherapy offer cosmetic benefits, but it may also reduce any pain or swelling associated with the veins.
Am I a Good Candidate for Sclerotherapy for Hand Rejuvenation?
As sclerotherapy is an injectable treatment, it can be used to reduce the appearance of veins for most people with a variety of skin tones and types. It is important to remember this method of hand rejuvenation is intended to reduce the appearance of veins and may not address other concerns.
A consultation with our team at either of our California locations can help determine if you may be able to benefit from our rejuvenation treatments. Most generally healthy adults who are unhappy with the appearance of their hands but have realistic goals and expectations for treatments may be good candidates.
How Long Does It Take to See Results From Sclerotherapy?
There are several key factors that determine the timetable when it comes to when you may first start seeing results from hand skin restoration treatment.
First, it’s important to understand that the main mechanism involved in effectively “shutting down” the targeted spider or varicose veins involves a chemical reaction, followed by a multi-step process. When the targeted vein(s) is exposed to the polidocanol, the lining of the vein is damaged, after which there is an inflammatory response and a process called fibrosis. The point is that this process alone can take anywhere from 3-4 weeks to start showing results, and up to 6 months or more for the final results.
There are also several unique factors that may affect how long it takes to see results, including the following:
- Patient skin type and tone
- Patient’s age
- Extent of the varicose vein problem
- Lifestyle, aftercare, and other factors
As a general rule, the severity of the varicose veins determines how long it takes before results first appear, as well as when they exert their full effects. Severe cases or otherwise, if you don’t notice results right away, rest assured that this is normal.
What About Hand Sclerotherapy Side Effects?
Sclerotherapy is a widely well-tolerated non-surgical treatment with low incidence of side effects. When side effects do occur, they are typically mild, temporary, and easy to manage.
Some of the most commonly observed side effects resulting from sclerotherapy include bruising, redness, darker skin tone, lumpy veins, spots, and allergic reactions (itching, swelling, etc.). It is expected for bruising to last multiple days, or as much as one or two weeks, while redness typically resolves within a matter of days.
In some cases, patients notice the appearance of very small blood vessels, but like many of the other potential side effects, these should resolve within a short period of time.
Though hand sclerotherapy side effects are mild, it’s never a bad idea to contact your care provider for guidance if you notice any of the above issues or other side effects.
What Are the Best Prep and Aftercare Practices?
As part of the consultation and planning process, our friendly and highly experienced varicose vein professionals at Shaheen Vascular will ensure you are confidently well-informed regarding what to do and what not to do before (and after) your treatment.
With diligent prep and aftercare, you can ensure optimal results and safeguard them for a longer period of time. Keep in mind, the following guidelines are a general blueprint, and your particular case may vary slightly. It’s also important to note that some recommendations only apply to the window of time immediately preceding and following your treatment(s), while others are to be upheld for longer periods of time.
Pre-treatment recommendations
- Avoid certain medications as directed: Discuss current and future medication use with your provider to ensure you are not taking anything that could increase your risk of bleeding or bruising.
- Avoid applying lotion to the treatment area: Lotions with fragrances and other potential irritants are typically discouraged in the window of time immediately before your treatment, as these may cause skin irritation and impede successful injection(s).
- Wear comfortable clothes to the procedure: Wear comfortable, loosely fitting clothing to your procedure in order to allow the provider access to the area and for your own personal comfort.
- Stay hydrated: Aside from being a good idea for general health and well being, arriving at your hand sclerotherapy treatment well-hydrated will improve vein visibility, facilitating the injection process.
- Avoid shaving: Shaving immediately before your sclerotherapy treatment is discouraged because
Post-Treatment Recommendations
- Wear compression garments as recommended: Following your hand sclerotherapy treatment, you may be provided compression garments to help with healing and circulation. Your provider may instruct you on tightening or loosening the garment for comfort and effectiveness.
- Elevate the treatment area: Keeping your hand(s) in elevated positions will also facilitate swelling management and healing.
- Take any medications as directed: Most hand sclerotherapy patients will not require an extensive post-treatment medication regimen, but following your provider’s instructions in this area is always a best practice.
- Minimize sun exposure: Your skin is especially vulnerable to sun damage in the window of time immediately following your hand sclerotherapy treatment. The best practice is to avoid sun exposure altogether.
- Clean and monitor injection sites: It’s important to wash your injection sites with warm water and gentle soap, reporting
- Avoid heavy activities: In addition to avoiding strenuous exercise like weightlifting and intense cardio routines, you may also be recommended to avoid any activities or situations in which your hands might be rubbed on, scraped, pinched, and so on.
Will I Need Multiple Follow-Up Treatments?
Some people may only require one hand sclerotherapy treatment to achieve desired results, while others may require as many as three or four sessions to get there. Where you land in this range is determined by various factors, including the severity of the varicose veins in the area, your age, skin type, and how the body responds to treatment.
In cases requiring multiple treatments, waiting at least 3-6 weeks between each session is advised to allow both for healing and to monitor how the results are progressing. At Shaheen Vascular, we will work with you to develop a customized treatment plan that best addresses your unique presentation and preferences.
Does Insurance Cover Sclerotherapy for Hands?
Whether or not hand sclerotherapy may be covered by your insurance company usually centers around the key concept of medical necessity. In many cases, hand sclerotherapy is considered purely cosmetic, meaning the procedure did not provide any kind of functional and/or medical benefit outside of aesthetic improvements.
However, hand sclerotherapy can be used to treat the symptoms of various medical conditions and issues, in which case it may be covered. For example, people with venous insufficiency may be able to have their hand sclerotherapy treatments deemed medically necessary. Even without an underlying diagnosis, varicose veins can sometimes cause a significant amount of pain. If it can be argued by your provider that sclerotherapy would alleviate this pain, this scenario may also be coverable.
Finally, it’s important to understand that, even with underlying conditions or pain, there’s no guarantee that your hand sclerotherapy treatment will be covered by your insurance carrier. For this reason, it’s always advised to carefully review your policy before committing to treatment so there are no surprises or undue financial burden.
What Other Treatments Are Available for Hand Rejuvenation?
There are several commonly performed hand rejuvenation treatment options available today, each targeting different tissues to create a more youthful and pleasing appearance of the hands. Some of these treatments, for example, are meant to fill in hollowed areas of the hand, where others can stimulate healing processes to improve skin texture and tone.
Three of the most popular hand rejuvenation treatments include:
- Micro-phlebectomy (removing small segments of veins through very tiny needle access sites)
- Hand filler (to add back volume)
- Intense Pulse Light (IPL) treatments to improve skin texture, promote collagen deposition, and treat age spots.
Schedule Your Consultation With Shaheen Vascular for Powerful and Natural-Looking Results!
If you feel that your hands have aged faster than you, we are here to help! Contact us today at Shaheen Vascular and schedule your consultation to learn more about a complete hand rejuvenation evaluation! Dr. Shaheen and his dedicated team, proudly serve California with locations in Monterey and Mountain View. We look forward to helping you achieve the rejuvenated appearance you desire!
