The appearance of spider veins on the skin are a normal concern for many people, which is why most of them turn to non-surgical treatments to restore their smooth, clear, and vein-free skin. Sclerotherapy is one of the most common vein removal procedures, but it might result in the appearance of brown patches on the treatment areas.
So how do you get rid of the brown marks after spider vein injection? Minor skin discoloration after sclerotherapy is normal. Patients may try compression stockings, IPL therapy, radiofrequency treatments, and exfoliation procedures to safely get rid of the dark marks on their skin.
Learn More: Are Itchy Spider Veins Normal?
Eliminating Brown Marks Post-Sclerotherapy Treatments
Venous conditions like spider veins, reticular veins, and varicose veins appear on the skin when the faulty valves in the blood vessels cause the blood to pool. These unsightly veins are a problem for about 30 to 60% of adults. Although everyone may develop spider veins on their skin, some people are more susceptible because of genetic factors, alcohol consumption, sun exposure, age, weight, and other factors.
Surgical vein stripping and ligation for these abnormal blood vessels are often painful and expensive, which is why many patients look for non-surgical alternatives like sclerotherapy. This minimally invasive procedure involves the injection of sclerosant to irritate and scar the walls of the blood vessel. The blood flow is then rerouted into nearby healthier veins.
It takes a few days or weeks for the larger veins to completely fade after sclerotherapy treatment. Although this treatment is much safer than surgical procedures for unwanted veins, patients might experience common side effects like transient hyperpigmentation after the treatment.
The brown streaks on the treatment area after sclerotherapy usually fade after a few weeks. But if the hyperpigmentation darkens or stays on the skin, patients may try minimally invasive treatments to get rid of them like:
1. Compression Therapy
Most sclerotherapy patients are instructed to wear compression stockings after the treatment to improve the blood circulation in the legs. Compression stockings are also believed to reduce the risk of staining that occurs after the vein removal procedure because it prevents the red blood cells from leaking and accumulating in the dermis.
Compression socks and stockings come in different types, sizes, and pressure, so make sure to consult the doctor about which one works best for you. Using the wrong kind of compression stockings might not provide enough support or lead to more serious medical conditions like nerve damage.
2. IPL Therapy
Aside from treating damaged leg veins, IPL therapy is also used for eliminating the temporary discoloration after sclerotherapy. Unlike laser treatments that only use a specific wavelength of light, IPL therapy utilizes a broad spectrum of laser light energy to reach the deeper layers of skin and lighten the dark streaks on the skin surface without damaging surrounding tissues.
What most patients love about this treatment is that it works on a multitude of skin problems at the same time. It improves the patient’s skin texture while fixing its tone, resulting in healthier, blemish-free skin. However, patients with darker skin tones should proceed with caution to avoid the risk of skin discoloration.
3. Radio Frequency Treatment
Radiofrequency treatments for temporary hyperpigmentation are also a common procedure for sclerotherapy patients. It’s often combined with microneedling treatments to achieve optimal results quickly.
During the radiofrequency procedure for staining, the doctor uses a special device to deliver radiofrequency energy to the affected patches of the skin. The heat targets the deeper layers of the skin to induce the production of collagen, elastin, and new skin cells. Patients often notice the brown staining on their skin slowly lightening a few weeks after their radiofrequency treatment.
4. Exfoliation Treatments and Bleaching Agents
Skin whitening through exfoliation treatments and bleaching agents may also help lighten the appearance of brown streaks on the skin. They might not completely remove the discoloration, but they’re effective in lightening and evening out the skin tone. Here are 2 of the most popular exfoliation treatments for temporary discoloration:
5. Chemical Peels
This popular type of facial treatment uses different types of exfoliating solutions to peel off the outer layers of the skin and reveal a fresher, healthier one. Chemical peels come in different types depending on the solution’s strength. Skin discoloration issues like melasma and temporary hyperpigmentation are usually treated with salicylic acid or glycolic acid.
6. Microdermabrasion
Another type of exfoliation treatment that’s popular among patients with different skin conditions is microdermabrasion. Unlike chemical peels that use solutions, microdermabrasion utilizes a special device to “mechanically” exfoliate the skin. During the treatment, the doctor uses a fine-tipped instrument that applies a mist of abrasive particles on the skin. The exfoliated layer is removed using a tiny vacuum.
All of these non-surgical treatments have a short recovery period, which is why most patients return to their daily activities after a few hours. They effectively treat the sclerotherapy hyperpigmentation without resulting in long-term health problems, but make sure to consult a healthcare provider first before trying out any procedure.
Learn More: What’s the Easiest Way to Get Rid of Spider Veins on the Face?
What Are the Risk Factors of Hyperpigmentation After Sclerotherapy?
Common types of hyperpigmentation on the skin occur because the body overproduces melanin, the natural pigment that darkens and gives the skin its color. But hyperpigmentation or “staining” after a sclerotherapy treatment is due to the accumulation of hemosiderin – the iron residue from the blood cells.
After the sclerotherapy treatment, some of the red blood cells might leak out of the blood vessel. The hemoglobin content turns into “hemosiderin” which is deposited in the superficial layer of the skin. These brown pigment deposits eventually accumulate until they appear as brown streaks.
Although all patients who tried sclerotherapy treatment may experience staining, some people are more susceptible than others because of factors like:
- Skin Color – Patients with darker skin tones have a greater risk of developing brown spots after their sclerotherapy treatment. The hemosiderin on their skin stimulates the melanocytes to produce melanin, the dark pigment that gives the skin its color.
- Skin Type – Patients with sensitive skin and heightened response to histamine might find brown streaks on their skin after sclerotherapy. The histamine causes an increase in red blood cell leakage, resulting in higher chances of developing hemosiderin staining.
- Vein Reflux – Venous reflux happens when the pressure from the deeper vein pushes the blood flow back to the superficial vein. It increases the possibility of red blood cell leakage and hemosiderin staining on the surrounding skin. Patients need to get their deep vein problems treated first to avoid vein reflux and minimize hemosiderin staining.
- Fragile Blood Vessels – Older patients and those who experience hormonal imbalance have more fragile blood vessels than normal. These weaker veins have more chances of experiencing blood cell leakage and inefficient blood circulation.
- Iron Levels – Patients who take iron supplements and those with iron storage diseases are also more likely to develop hemosiderin staining than others.
- Vein Pattern – Concentrated clusters of spider veins and varicose veins increase a patient’s risk of developing staining in that area after their sclerotherapy treatment. Brown streaks are also more commonly found on the lower legs than the upper legs.
- Technique – Experienced and highly-skilled providers help minimize the risk of hemosiderin staining because of their needling technique. The type of sclerosing agent used, excessive injection pressure, and the concentration of the sclerosant (irritant solution) is also important in preventing hemosiderin staining after sclerotherapy.
Safe and Effective Spider Vein Injections by Vein Center Doctor
At Vein Center Doctor, patients can trust that our spider vein injection treatments are performed by highly-skilled providers.We strive to give the best customer service for each of our patients, and help them achieve the results they want. All of our treatments start with an initial consultation and physical examinations to know which of our treatments fits your needs.
but we also offer other vein removal options like RFA, VenaSeal™, EVLT, and compression therapy for patients who want to skip sclerotherapy. Call us now at 1-862-227-1054 to know more about our leg vein treatments or book an appointment with our vein specialists.
