Do varicose vein treatments like radiosurgery and sclerotherapy have any side effects? Of course they have but these can be minimized at the hands of a skilled doctor.

With sclerotherapy that uses injections to shrink swollen veins, a few may suffer from allergic reactions, infection, streak-like pigmentation, scarring, temporary bruising, and ulceration. The most common side effects are a black-and-blue skin discoloration, which disappears with time.

Radiosurgery (that relies on electric current) is contraindicated in those with pacemakers. It may burn the skin and leave the patient scarred. But Dr. Larry Roy C.Tojino of the Vein Care Clinic in Manila adds that the risks involved are related more to the experience of the doctor than the patient’s reaction. Obviously one has to choose the right physician since the radio surgical unit is not a toy that can be used by anyone.

His cousin, Dr. Rolando T. Corpuz, a diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Canada, believes the biggest risk the patient faces is from pseudo-phlebologists. Standards with regards to training or expertise vary from place to place. Which means that anyone can call himself a phlebologist even if he’s not. And there’s a lot of that going around considering that plenty of money can be made from promising great-looking legs.

To avoid being victimized by quacks, Corpuz cautions the public to check the doctor’s credentials first before submitting to treatments. It also pays to talk to former patients to know the kind of service you’ll be getting.

“Many physicians can treat veins but not the whole spectrum of vein problems. A phlebologist is one who specializes in venous diseases. A physician who simply injects spider veins may call himself a phlebologist but that doesn’t necessarily make him qualified for the job,” warned Corpuz.

To protect the public from quacks, the two suggest the following:

Don’t be ashamed to ask the doctor how and where he or she trained. Avoid “phlebologists” who trained at short weekend courses.

Check the physician’s track record. The length of practice matters since it reflects a doctor’s expertise and success.

Go to the most experienced doctor.

A final note: The results of sclerotherapy or radiotherapy won’t last forever. Varicose veins may return in one to five years. Come to think of it, nothing seems to permanently eradicate them, not even surgery. But for those concerned about their appearance, those five varicosity-free years can make a big difference in their lives.

If you’re concerned about varicose veins, see a competent doctor for the right treatment. To prevent unsightly spider veins from getting worse, use Veinuderm, a natural remedy that helps reduce redness and swelling to give you great looking legs.