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!
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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!