A Sclero Story

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A “Sclero Story” 

Hi everyone! I’m sitting here watching “Poh and Co.” (most darling cooking show ever) as I write this post. I just put my grandmother’s uhhh-mazing banana bread recipe in the oven…*drool*…recipe to follow.

I wanted to talk to you guys about something that’s kind of been bothering me for a while…spider veins.

Last month when I was in Turks and Caicos, after MONTHS with my new trainer, I was still soooo self-conscious about the veins on my legs! They used to not bother me so much, but after having my third baby three years ago, they just kept getting worse and worse. I started noticing them in my early twenties and with time they have multiplied… and then there are my mother’s legs! (love you mom). Okay so after spending wayyy too much time Googling 80 different ways to tie my sarong, I decided that taking care of them was the first thing I would do when I got back home! Oh….I can smell the banana bread….

Matt & Kathy Taranto

I feel super fortunate to live in Overland Park, KS, heart of the USA, because I have found THE most AMAZING medspa. I started my research on RealSelf.com (as any true spa-ista would do). I came across AesthetiCare MedSpa and it instantly caught my attention because of the endless great reviews. AesthetiCare is owned by the power couple of the decade (especially now that Brangelina is ancient history…I was always in camp Jennifer just FYI), Matt and Kathy Taranto.

These two have built a small empire of amazing staff and cutting edge technology. Of the many things they offer (check out their menu…wow) I zeroed in on the treatment that seemed best for my unsightly veins- sclerotherapy. The before and after pictures were almost unbelievable…I had to try it out for myself.

I made a call and spoke with the receptionist (great first impression of the spa) who scheduled a complimentary consultation for me right away with the sclerotherapy provider, Ardeth Arman (bear with me people….don’t judge a book by it’s name). Besides being incredibly kind, Ardeth basically carries an entire alphabet behind her name (RN, BSN, MS, CANS….seriously) and knew everything there was to know about sclerotherapy. She confirmed that it was the right treatment for me and educated me on the entire process. Here’s what I learned:

• • Sclerotherapy is actually a very old discipline. Some form of it has been practiced since the early 1900s. The solutions have varied over the years, but the most widely used one today is Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate (STS), which was FDA approved in 1946. The practice of injecting a sclerosing agent into each undesired vein remained the same for decades. The latest evolution of the practice is to foam the solution. Foam? I know. Ardeth explained that the process of foaming the solution enables the provider to use less solution (so, less stuff going in your body), and allows the solution to better adhere to the inside of the vein wall.
  • Sclerotherapy is considered the gold standard treatment of what is commonly known as spider veins. It is not used for bulging, tortuous varicose veins, but really for the smaller, superficial spider veins. It can be used to treat any area of the body- back, face, décolleté, arms, and of course (and most commonly) the legs, feet and ankles.

You can realistically expect about a 90% (!!!) reduction in treated veins.

• • It is a process, typically taking anywhere from 3-6 treatments, ideally spaced one week apart. Ardeth explained that during the treatment process you will most likely look “under construction” for a time, meaning you will look worse before you look better. As the treated veins are absorbed by the body they tend to darken. Don’t worry! This is a temporary phase of the treatment…they will look so much better when it is all said and done. Ardeth also explained that if you are having symptoms associated with your veins, such as aching, throbbing, itching, or restlessness, these will actually resolve early in the process so you will FEEL better long before you look better! (sooo looking forward to not having to put my feet up at the end of the day!)
    

    

  • So the question I know you’re all wanting to ask…does it hurt??? For most people (myself included!) it’s completely bearable! It is a series of injections, but the needle is incredibly tiny. It hurts a little more in the more sensitive areas (think the bony area around your ankle) but the biggest discomfort is typically the itchy feeling you have afterwards which lasts for about 30 minutes. Ardeth talks through the entire treatment session totally helping to keep your mind off the sticks, which is a good thing…before you know it, the session is over! Because heat and increased blood flow will dilate veins you will need to avoid heavy cardio exercise and hot baths or hot tubs for about three days after each treatment. Also, Ardeth will fit you for support hose (not the ugly old white ones, pretty thigh high will do the trick) to be worn for three days post treatment.

• • Sclerotherapy is not a good option for you if you have uncontrolled migraines, severe debilitating allergies, a severe heart murmur, or are currently pregnant or breastfeeding.

• Are people satisfied with this treatment? YES! Ardeth talked about how passionate she is about this treatment because it is a total game changer for her clients. She has had many rave about how it is the first time they have worn shorts in years, etc! Like any aesthetic treatment, results will vary from client to client, but Ardeth has been doing this for 13 years and will let you know if you are a good candidate.

Phew! Lots to take in. In summary: SO SO SO WORTH IT! I have had my second treatment now and am understanding the “under construction” phase…but am super excited to see how they all turn out. I know I will love it!! I will keep you posted.

Come to AesthetiCare for Your Sclerotherapy in Kansas City

If you are at all interested in Sclerotherapy, I encourage you to Contact us today to schedule your complimentary consultation so we can discuss all of your options with a skin analysis consultation or start your journey virtually right below:

Start My Virtual Consultation

Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about the banana bread! I pulled it out of the oven no more than five minutes ago and I’m already talking myself down from indulging in a second piece…

Grandma’s Famous Banana Bread

Ingredients:

• ½ cup butter (1 stick)
  2 cups sugar
  2 eggs
  1 cup milk
  1 tsp vanilla
  1 tsp baking soda
  2 tsps baking powder
  3 cups flour
  3 mashed bananas
  1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 and generously grease two full sized bread pans.

• Cream butter. Add sugar, eggs, milk, and vanilla. Add dry ingredients. Add bananas. Mix well. Add nuts at the end (optional).

Divide batter evenly into pans and bake for 45 minutes-1 hour, or until the middle is no longer gooey. I like to sprinkle extra sugar on the piping hot bread as soon as it comes out of the oven. Gives a nice, sweet little surprise!