Sclerotherapy is a treatment for varicose veins and spider veins. It is used for treatment of symptomatic (painful/achy) varicose veins as well as for cosmetic purposes (unattractive appearance). The treatment involves a series of injections of sclerosant (medication which irritates the inner lining of the vein) into the veins. When injected into the vein, the medications irritate the lining of the vein, making it sticky, the vein is then compressed to make the vein walls stick together. The needle used for the injections is very small.

These are the 8 warning signs of vein disease:

1. Tired, heavy-feeling legs.
2. Leg pain from prolonged sitting or standing.
3. Swollen ankles at night.
4. Varicose or spider veins.
5. Tingling, numbness, burning or cramping in legs or feet.
6. Discoloration of the skin.
7. Open sores or ulcers on lower leg.
8. History of vein problems in the family.

If you've answered yes to one or more of these questions, contact us for your free consultation with Dr. Jackson.

Varicose veins are abnormally enlarged blood vessels in which blood has pooled.  They usually are bluish in color, and may appear twisted.  They are very common on legs, especially among women.  The tendency to develop varicose veins is often hereditary but can occasionally occur with trauma.  Women, especially those who have had children, and men and women who spend a lot of time standing seem to be most susceptible to developing varicose veins.
Most varicose veins are the result of "valve failure" or a "leaking" vein.  Communicating veins are between deep, high pressure veins found under the leg muscles and superficial, low pressure veins found outside the leg muscles.  When valves become faulty in the communicating vein, blood refluxes (back flows) to the superficial veins resulting in blood pooling causing the veins to become distended and bulging.  These are known as "varicose" veins.

Spider veins are small varicose veins that appear as bluish or reddish lines just under the surface of the skin. More than half of patients with spider veins can experience aching, tingling and pain in the legs.

No local anesthetic is used because those injections tend to be more painful than the sclerotherapy injections. The needle used to inject the solution is very small.

This procedure is not performed under anesthesia. If needed a topical anesthetic can be applied producing superficial skin anesthesia.

The treatment takes about one hour depending on how many veins are treated.

A thigh-high or knee high compression stocking is applied to each treated leg after the injections and is worn for 2 weeks. This cannot be removed for a period of 48 hours, not even for a shower. After the initial 48 hours you can remove stockings during night while you are sleeping but must wear them during the day. Depending on the severity of the veins there may be an additional dressing.

You should be able to drive home after the treatment.

Every patient is different however the majority of our patients return to work that same day or the following day.

Sclerotherapy is very individual, we recommend that you come in for a free consultation where Dr. Jackson can evaluate your veins and give you an estimated cost.

Some insurance companies will pay for this treatment. You will need to inquire directly with your provider.

Possible complications include:

• Hyper pigmentation, or brown staining, down the treated vein or at the injection site. This is from the breakdown of blood in the tissue. This usually goes away in 3 to 6 months. This is the most common side effect. About 30% of patients will have some degree of hyper pigmentation.
• Residual clots in the veins are also common. These are not dangerous and will go away in 3 to 6 months as well. If the clots are large, they can be drained.
• Skin reaction to the medication can occur if the medicine gets into the tissue. This will result in a blister progressing to a scab and will go away in a few weeks. This is more common if very large veins are treated.
• Superficial thrombophlebitis (inflammation of the vein), making it red and tender. The treatment for this is Advil. At times a hemorrhoid cream can be useful.
• The treated vessel can re-open and may need additional treatment.
• You most likely will develop new veins over time as this is a normal process for people susceptible to varicose and spider veins. This is why maintenance therapy is recommended.

You will most likely have some bruising, some redness, and maybe some hyperpigmentation. The cosmetic results are not immediate. It takes about 3 months for the bruising and pigmentation to go away. Remember, that the leg veins will look worse before they look better.

BOTOX® Cosmetic is a natural, purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. Very low doses of BOTOX® Cosmetic are administered via a few tiny injections directly into the overactive muscles that cause lines to form.

Yes! Botox® has been available for 20 years for medical purposes and is one of the most widely researched medicines in the world. It has a long and well established safety history.

No, it is not toxic to you – nor is it poisonous to you! Botox Cosmetic® is NOT botulism and it will not cause food poisoning. To clarify, Botulism is the name of an illness not the name of the drug. The product is a purified protein that is extracted from a naturally occurring bacteria and then rigorously processed under strict pharmaceutical manufacturing guidelines. It is very similar to how Penicillin comes from mold! It is an approved drug that is used in very tiny doses.

BOTOX Cosmetic® works by simply relaxing the muscles underneath the skin to create a smooth and refreshed appearance.

Generally, after the consultation, the procedure only takes up to 15 minutes. Since there is no downtime – you can do it on your lunchtime- and no one would know you have had it done!

It can take up to two weeks for it to take full effect. Usually we ask patients to wait for the 14 days to pass in order to fully see the results.

It is injected with a very tiny needle – much smaller than that used to take your blood etc. A delicate insulin-type needle is used.

Most patients say the injections feel similar to a little pinch, although everyone is different. Usually the patient says, “Is that all?” If a patient is very sensitive to needles we do offer a topical anesthetic.

No - Botox Cosmetic® is not permanent. It lasts between 3-4 months on average but everyone is different.  Many patients who get their first 3 treatments done “back to back” every 3 months, find that their next series of treatments last longer.

No! Your face will not get worse if you stop using Botox Cosmetic® or when it wears off. Botox Cosmetic® “stops/slows” the clock of aging.  When you stop getting treatments, the “aging clock” resumes like normal. At the very minimum, you will simply return to where you started.  If you use Botox Cosmetic® for a number of years and then stop- your muscles learn to relax and therefore, you will end up looking a little better than when you originally started.

No. Most people simply want to look NATURAL, RELAXED and REFRESHED, without looking “done”. In the experienced hands of Dr. Jackson, his patients typically say that no one knows that they had anything done. Friends simply say that they look well rested and great!

Juvéderm™ is a "next generation" dermal filler made from hyaluronic acid — a naturally occurring substance in your skin. It combines with water in your skin to instantly restore lost volume, smooth out lines and wrinkles and enhance lips. Juvéderm™’s smooth gel provides results that are not only instant but long-lasting and natural-looking.

Juvéderm™ smoothes unwanted lines, restores natural contours and enhances lips to give you a smooth, natural and refreshed-looking appearance.
Juvéderm™ is best used to:

• smooth the lines around your mouth and nose
• enhance the size and shape of your lips
• reduce crow’s-feet
• reduce laugh lines
• fill out your cheeks

The most appropriate lines to treat with Juvéderm™ are those that are described as static—the lines you can see when your face is still. Juvéderm™ can also be used to enhance, or "plump up", your lips, for soft, subtle results that leave you looking your best.

The unique formulation of Juvéderm™ provides results that last up to 1 year*. This can be longer than other hyaluronic acid dermal fillers.
*Applies to Juvederm™ Ultra, Juvederm™ Ultra Plus.

Results are instant. You will see an immediate improvement in the treatment area. Most people need one treatment to achieve an optimal outcome. Supplemental "touch-up" treatments may be required to achieve and maintain the desired look.

The injection process is quick and easy and usually takes only about 30 minutes depending on how many areas are treated. You'll also need to allow time to consult with your doctor prior to treatment.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a complex sugar naturally found in many tissues of the body such as skin and cartilage. It binds to water to create more volume and elasticity in the skin to correct the appearance of wrinkles and facial folds.

Your healthcare professional will inject Juvéderm™ under your skin using a fine needle to smooth away fine lines, wrinkles, folds and scars. The smooth gel flows easily into the skin, providing a soft, natural look and feel. You will see an immediate improvement in the treatment areas.

Juvéderm™ is injected directly into the skin using a fine needle to reduce injection discomfort. The smooth consistency gel of Juvéderm™ allows your doctor to administer it easily and smoothly. Some patients experience minimal discomfort but it is usually well tolerated and short in duration. We also offer the option of a topical anesthetic.

Treatment requires minimal downtime and most people return to their normal routine right away.

Juvéderm™ is generally well tolerated. Possible side effects are mild to moderate in nature and lasts less than 7 days. They may include temporary skin reactions such as redness, tenderness and bruising. See www.juvederm.ca for more information.

Your individual prescribed protocol and frequency of use should be determined by your skin care professional, but you can typically expect visible improvements in 4 to 6 weeks.

You will likely experience 4 phases of transformation. Find information on what to expect during the transformation process.

The Nu-Derm System contains prescription-strength formulations that can be sold only through a licensed physician, such as a dermatologist or plastic surgeon.

The products in the Nu-Derm System are clinically proven, prescription-strength ingredients that work at the cellular level to improve your skin cell function. Products purchased from a retail store are cosmetic-based products that do not contain prescription-strength ingredients.

Your physician or skin care professional will talk with you about how often you should check in once you’ve started using the Nu-Derm System.

Please consult your physician and refer to the Important Product Information.

Keeping in mind that extended sun exposure damages the skin, it is suggested that you avoid prolonged sun exposure without protection. While on the system, you can participate in normal outdoor activity. However, your skin may be sensitive to the sun and heat. It is very important to always wear a sunscreen, like Healthy Skin Protection SPF 35, Sun Shield SPF 50, and/or Physical UV Block SPF 32 in the Nu-Derm System, and reapply sun protection every few hours while exposed to the sun.

Each product in the Nu-Derm System is specifically designed to work together to provide you with the best results. When used as a system, the prescription-strength ingredients work to effectively balance the pH level of your skin and penetrate into the layers of your skin for superior results. Your skin care professional will guide you in using the system based on his or her assessment of your needs.

There are many factors to take into consideration when deciding which sunscreen to use and buy. For example, just because a bottle says “SPF 15”, it isn’t necessarily a “broad-spectrum”.You’ll want to remember and look for the words “broad spectrum” which blocks UVA and UVB (very important!) rays. Remember: You still need to re-apply sunscreen if you’re out in the sun for several hours, especially if you’re sweating or playing in the water!

UVB is the primary reason we sunburn, while UVA rays, which penetrate the skin more deeply, are associated with wrinkling, leathering, sagging, and other effects of photoaging. They also exacerbate the carcinogenic effects of UVB rays, and increasingly are being seen as a cause of skin cancer on their own. Sunscreens vary in their ability to protect against UVA and UVB.

Yes, you can get a bad sunburn in the winter! Remember that UV radiation exposure is greater at higher altitudes. If you are out on the slopes, any water surface (frozen or not!) reflects the sun's rays and can double the UV radiation dose. And even though much of your skin is covered by ski/board gear on the slopes, you always need to protect your exposed skin. Many cases of skin cancer are found on the head, neck and ears—areas that can be exposed to UV rays while on the mountain. Protect your skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen and wear a hat, as well as eye protection.

Yes. Although people with light skin are at the highest risk for skin cancer, people with darker skin are also at risk. Plus, people with darker skin are also affected by the aging effects of the sun, as are lighter-skinned people. Everyone is at risk for eye damage from too much UV exposure, including snowblindness, cataracts, and retinal damage.

Sunscreens are a temporary defense against UV radiation. You should first make sure that you have applied enough sunscreen. Studies have shown that most people underestimate the amount of sunscreen that they need. Next, think about your sunscreen’s “Sun Protection Factor,” or SPF. A sunscreen’s SPF tells you how long a sunscreen will be protective. Let’s say on a spring day on the mountain, your skin sunburns in 20 minutes. If you use a sunscreen with an SPF 15, you will get 20 x 15 = 300 minutes (5 hours) of protection. But if you stay outside for over 5 hours, your skin will sunburn even though you applied sunscreen. Also, remember to reapply your sunscreen throughout the day as it can wear off with wind and sweat. Knowing how to correctly choose and use sunscreen will help you prevent a sunburn from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

No. You should use sunscreen in addition to practicing other sun safe behaviors. The best protection (though not always a possible solution) is to reduce the time you spend in the sun by seeking shade or staying indoors, especially at midday. Also, wear clothing that covers up a lot of your skin and choose a wide-brimmed hat rather than a ski or baseball cap. Finally, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen on all skin still exposed to the sun.

The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) was developed to describe the amount of protection that a sunscreen provides. SPF numbers tell a person how much longer he/she can stay in the sun without burning while wearing sunscreen as opposed to not wearing any sun protection. For example, if your skin usually burns in 10 minutes (without any type of sun protection,) then an SPF of 15 means that you can stay in the sun 15 times longer (10 x 15 = 150 minutes) until you begin to burn. But remember, in order to get that full protection time from the sunscreen, you MUST reapply – sunscreen can wear off with wind and sweat, even “waterproof” ones.

Yes, and for a couple of reasons. First of all, with higher elevation you are exposed to more of the sun’s UV rays. For every 1,000 feet above sea level, you are exposed to 5% more UV radiation. For example, a mountain at 10,000 feet receives 50% more UV exposure than an area at sea level. Secondly, the snow on the mountain reflects UV back onto you. So, it’s a double whammy – not only are you getting exposure from the sun directly, you’re also getting UV exposure reflected from the snow beneath you.

The myth of a “base tan” is just that – a myth. Any tan is a sign of damage to the skin.

No. Sun tanning beds are just as dangerous (if not more dangerous) than the sun! Sun tanning beds directly expose you to both UVA and UVB rays. A twenty-minute session in a tanning bed is the equivalent to several hours of exposure outdoors. Remember, no tan is a safe tan - whether from the sun or a tanning bed. Protect your skin.

Yes. Although non-melanoma skin cancers are treatable if caught early, malignant melanoma can be very dangerous, even deadly, if not treated early. Regularly monitor your skin for abnormal moles that change shape or color. Have any suspicious looking moles, freckles, or spots examined by your doctor. Play it safe!

Many cases of skin cancer are found on the head, neck and ears – areas not usually covered by gear you wear while skiing or snowboarding. You should always protect any exposed skin from the sun.

Sources: American Academy of Dermatology, American Cancer Society, WebMD, Centers for Disease Control, National Cancer Institute