Minimally Invasive Treatment for Reticular Veins
Veins have the vital role of carrying deoxygenated blood back to the heart. However, our genetic makeup can cause us to have abnormal veins, which are rather unsightly and cause blood to pool in our feet. The atypical veins are inefficient at returning the blood back to the heart and are unnecessary. Treating these veins streamlines the return of blood back to the heart, improving the health of our legs. Encinitas dermatologist, Dr. Amanda Lloyd, helps patients throughout the North County San Diego area enjoy smooth, comfortable legs with minimally invasive vein treatment.
What are Reticular Veins?
You are probably familiar with spider veins and varicose veins. Reticular veins are blue feeder veins that are smaller than varicose veins and larger than the spider veins. Reticular veins appear primarily on the backs of the legs, behind the knees, and on ankles.Leg veins have one-way valves that keep blood flowing in the correct direction. When these valves stop working properly, blood pools, causing increased pressure in veins. The body creates new veins as conduits to relieve the pressure, however, these veins are ineffective because the valves are nonfunctional. Reticular veins, along with varicose veins and spider veins, are the result of this process.
All Veins Are Not the Same
Development of reticular veins is largely hereditary. These medium sized veins are usually more of a cosmetic issue than a serious medical complication, but they are troublesome and can signal a more serious underlying medical condition. Dr. Amanda Lloyd, a diplomate of the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic medicine will evaluate your veins, rule out an underlying condition and will determine the most appropriate treatment based on where in the venous system the problem lies.Imagine that the greater saphenous vein (the largest one running the length of the leg) is the trunk of a tree. Varicose veins are the branches. Reticular veins are the smaller branches and spider veins are the twigs on the tree.
The small branches (reticular veins) respond best to a minimally invasive treatment called endovenous chemical ablation:
- Ultrasound is used to map the reticular vein
- A foamed sclerosant is injected into the reticular vein
- The body resorbs the vein
The twigs respond nicely to a minimally invasive treatment called sclerotherapy:
- A sclerosant is injected into superficial veins
- It induces a chemical reaction that causes spider veins to close
- The body then resorbs the veins, removing them from the skin
Isn’t it time to get back into skirts, shorts, and swimwear? Call Skin & Vein Institute with Dr. Lloyd, the only diplomate of the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic area in the Northern San Diego County Area at (760) 642-6674 (new patients) or (760) 452-2080 (existing patients).
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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.
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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
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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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