CoolTouch CTEV treats varicose veins comfortably in Encinitas, CA
If you suffer from varicose veins, you are not alone. In fact, varicose veins plague over 50% of the US population, including both men and women. Unfortunately, varicose veins are mostly genetic and therefore, not much can be done to prevent varicose veins. The good news is that advances in medicine and technology have led to the development of much less invasive, easier to handle procedures that can be done to treat the unsightly and uncomfortable varicose veins. At the Skin & Vein Institute in Encinitas, CA, Dr. Amanda Lloyd offers CoolTouch CTEV laser treatment to help you get back to your healthy lifestyle without the pain associated with varicose veins.
Symptoms of varicose veins
The symptoms of varicose veins are fairly non-specific, and include:- Aching in the legs
- Pain in the legs
- Heaviness in the legs
- A swelling or burning sensation
- Itching
- Visible blue bulgung veins in your legs
- Skin discoloration around the ankles
- Ulceration of the skin at the ankles
Benefits of treating varicose veins
If left untreated, varicose veins can progress and lead to a breakdown in the skin around the ankles, so we recommend that if you suffer from varicose veins, that you undergo treatment. Removing a varicose vein is beneficial to your health because prior to treatment, the vein is not functioning properly and allows blood to remain stagnant and pool in your legs. By having your body naturally remove the vein through varicose vein treatment, the blood is shunted into the normal system of veins and allowed back to the heart. Therefore, removing the vein improves your circulation and your overall health because your circulation is improved, and blood is not pooling in your legs. The decreased efficiency of the circulatory system is what generates those negative symptoms that you can experience, such as pain or achiness in your legs.How laser treatment works
The old method for treating varicose veins is a surgical procedure called venous stripping, which typically requires general anesthesia and incisions to access the vein in your leg. Fortunately, venous stripping is no longer needed and a laser can be used instead. The laser is used to heat the vein from the inside, and afterwards, your body naturally takes the vein away all on its own. General anesthesia is not required, you are awake the entire time, the vein is numbed locally and you have to walk for an hour afterwards, so there is minimal “downtime.” The laser that is used to treat varicose veins is called CoolTouch CTEV. It is a 1320 nm laser, which selectively targets the water in the vein wall. This allows for the vein wall to become sticky, and then after the treatment, you wear compression stockings that work with the tissues surrounding the vein to push the vein walls together. This causes your body to naturally take away the vein so that it’s no longer present to cause problems. The result is that the blood that was once pooling in that vein is shunted into the normal veins, so that your circulatory system is restored to a more normal state.
What to expect with laser treatment
Laser treatment for varicose veins is an outpatient procedure, meaning that a hospital stay is not required, and you are not required to undergo general anesthesia. It takes about an hour of your time, and it’s as simple as starting an IV.During the procedure, you are awake the entire time. Once you are comfortable and relaxed, the IV is started, and the laser is introduced through the IV. A numbing agent is applied so you are completely comfortable, and then the laser is fired, which results in heating of the vein wall. This stimulates your body to naturally take away the vein.
There is little downtime after the procedure. You are required to walk for an hour after your treatment, which helps improve the circulation in your legs. The procedure is well-tolerated by patients and is done with ultrasound guidance to monitor every step of the procedure. It has an excellent success rate and patients’ legs feel much better after the procedure, so they can resume their active, healthy lifestyle.
If you are tired of dealing with the appearance or discomfort of varicose veins, call the Skin & Vein Institute in Encinitas to learn more about CoolTouch CTEV laser treatment. Dr. Amanda Lloyd is certified by the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine to treat veins and is here to answer your questions and help you get back to feeling your best. Our office can be reached at (760) 642-6674. Call us today! Or email us at [email protected]
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Success Stories
Sarah B.
Originally posted on Google
Dr. Lloyd is amazing! She was able to get my skin better than it has ever looked. Her injectables are the best I have ever had and totally natural. So glad I found her!
Larissa S.
Originally posted on Google
I had the absolute best experience with Dr. Lloyd and her team. Dr Lloyd is so smart and skilled and her team was very professional, informative and kind. She and her team were also the sweetest to follow up with me the next day and a few after that. Top notch, cant recommend more!
Dr. Nancy
Originally posted on Google
The Skin & Vein Institute has everything that you will need when considering an excellent skin care facility. They have a fabulous spa-like office suite where you can watch videos on how-to take the best care of your skin, you can treat yourself to a cup of tea, or check out the new mini skin care items in the sample bowl!
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Meet Dr. Amanda Lloyd
Dr. Amanda Lloyd is a respected Board Certified Dermatologist based in Encinitas, CA, with over 14 years of experience. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from UCLA Honors College and a medical degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine. Dr. Lloyd completed her dermatology residency as chief resident at Baylor University Medical Center. She then was a fellow in Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery after which she became board certified in Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology. A Fellow of the American Society for Mohs Surgery, she is also a member of the AAD and ABVLM. An editor for JAMA Dermatology, Dr. Lloyd contributes to advancing dermatological knowledge. Her dedication to patient care and education underscores her trustworthiness and expertise.
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