As Emerald Coast residents, we know there’s nothing better than hitting the beach and feeling the sun on our skin (with plenty of SPF on top, of course). But for too many people, unsightly veins take away the joy of feeling confident and carefree in shorts or swimsuits. Fortunately, you have options to make these veins disappear, no matter how large or uncomfortable they may be.
Dr. Richard Grisoli is a specialist in laser vein treatments, sclerotherapy, and more at the Destin Vein Center. In this blog post, he discusses a few different vein therapy approaches, how to determine which one is right for you, and where to start if you’re interested in rediscovering your confidence with vein treatments.
Which Type of Vein Treatment Is Right for Me?
Dr. Grisoli offers 3 types of vein treatments, each designed to treat a different kind of vein.
| Name | Description | Best For |
| Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT) | In this minimally invasive procedure, Dr. Grisoli inserts a small laser fiber into the vein to collapse it and seal it shut. | Symptomatic axial reflux lasting > 2000ms Straight veins (not tortuous/winding) Gold standard for best treatment |
| Ambulatory Phlebectomy (AP) | In this surgical approach, Dr. Grisoli removes the vein using very small incisions and local anesthesia. | Tortuous bulging veins that cannot accept a stiff laser fiber Large, bulging veins |
| Sclerotherapy | These injections cause the vein to collapse and gradually disappear as your body reroutes blood flow. | Small veins on the surface Larger veins that are too tortuous for EVLT and not large enough for AP |
What Are the Main Benefits of Each Vein Treatment Approach?
According to Dr. Grisoli, each of these approaches offers the same benefits: vein closure and elimination of venous reflux. This resolves hypertension in the veins and eliminates the large, bulging veins that cause discomfort.
Beyond the purely medical benefits, however, there are countless emotional benefits to enjoy.
“Getting people back in shorts and free of pain and seeing how their quality of life improves is the most rewarding aspect of treating these patients,” he said.
“I have dozens of moms that would never take their kids to the beach because they were self-conscious about the appearance of their legs, and after treatment, they resume these great activities and start living their ‘best life’ again.”
Are There Any Reasons Someone Should Not Have a Vein Treatment Done?
People with active infections and multiple comorbidities may not be candidates for certain vein treatments. Dr. Grisoli said people with thrombophilia are much more likely to develop blood clots, which may also be a cause for concern worth discussing.
Dr. Grisoli stressed the importance of putting safety first through each step of the vein treatment process.
“While blood clots in the deep veins can be dangerous, the vast majority of patients with vein disease do not have this condition. Having said that, leg swelling (especially unilateral) with discomfort is not something you want to ignore because this could be a life-threatening deep vein thrombosis (blood clot),” he said. “If a blood clot in the leg breaks off and travels to the lung, (it’s) an immediate life-threatening event (that) must be treated as soon as possible. Shortness of breath with unilateral leg swelling is a 911 issue that can be prevented by having your legs veins evaluated before these events take place.”
What Is Vein Treatment Recovery Like?
The recovery process varies a bit depending on the type of procedure you have done:
- Endovenous laser treatment: Return to work the next day.
- Ambulatory phlebectomy: Return to work within a couple of days while wearing a bandage and/or compression stocking.
- Sclerotherapy: Return to work right away.
Where Do I Start?
If you are curious about whether a vein treatment is right for you, Dr. Grisoli recommends starting with a consultation. He reminds clients that consultation is never a commitment to treatment. Instead, it is an opportunity to learn about what is possible and which path forward is right for you.
“A consultation is just a fact-finding mission,” he said. “No one is going to get ‘pushed’ into treatment. If your veins concern you, either by appearance or by symptoms, get the facts, and then you can make an informed decision.”
If you would like to meet with Dr. Grisoli to discuss your options for vein treatment in Destin, please contact us online or call (850) 654-8015.
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