FAQs - Vein Procedures, Skin Rejuvenation, Cosmetic Treatments, and More - Tampa, Florida
Although we at the Vein Center of Tampa Bay and Stunning Looks™ Medi Spa are more than happy to answer any questions you may have, we have noticed many people have similar questions. For your convenience, we have compiled the following list of frequently asked questions.
The questions below cover most of our cosmetic procedures, ranging from vein removal to acne treatment. If you have additional queries or concerns, contact our Tampa, Florida office and arrange a free consultation with Dr. Jeffrey A. Hunt.
- Vein Treatment FAQs
- Varicose Veins
- Spider Veins
- Cosmetic Treatment FAQs
- Which procedures require numbing and how long do you numb for each?
- Is laser skin resurfacing right for me?
- What are the benefits of laser skin resurfacing?
- How many visits are required for these resurfacing treatments?
- In which cases would you choose one skin resurfacing treatment over the other?
- What is Mesotherapy?
- What are the key differences between your cosmetic fillers?
- What is BOTOX® Cosmetic, what does it do, and how long do results typically last?
- What is Acoustic Wave Therapy™?
- What is Thermage®?
- How does Lumenis One™ IPL treatment work?
- What is Blu-U® acne treatment?
- What is intense pulsed light (IPL®) therapy?
- What does IPL® skin rejuvenation treat?
- What exactly is cellulite?
Vein Treatment FAQs
What are spider veins?
Spider veins are bundles of small red or blue veins near the surface of the skin. Spider veins are an uncomfortable condition found in millions of adult women.
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are dilated and swollen blood vessels that appear in the large veins of the leg. This sometimes painful disorder can be treated at the Vein Center of Tampa Bay.
What are the benefits of sclerotherapy treatment?
Sclerotherapy is an effective, non-surgical treatment for unsightly spider and varicose veins. Surgical vein stripping often requires hospitalization and weeks of recovery. In contrast, sclerotherapy patients are encouraged to return to their normal activities immediately after treatment.
Is sclerotherapy painful?
Generally patients report little to no pain. There may be a slight warming or stinging sensation, which quickly dissipates. For this reason, anesthesia is rarely required.
After vein treatment, when can I return to normal activities?
Although recovery from vein treatment varies from patient to patient, there typically is no downtime. Patients can resume normal activities almost immediately. Minor bruising or swelling may occur, but should gradually fade within a week or two.
For more information about our vein removal procedures or about our cosmetic options, including acne treatment, contact our Florida practice.
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Varicose Veins
What is the preferred way to treat varicose veins?
A preferred way to treat varicose veins is to do Endolaser™ for the large saphenous trunks with the new CoolTouch™ device and to inject the rest of the varicose branches with ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy.
What is another way to treat varicose veins?
The old traditional inversion pin stripping is still being performed as well as phlebectomy where they remove small portions of the veins and ligations where they tie the trunks off. The newer Endolaser™ and ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy procedures are much less invasive, more complete, and require no downtime.
How many treatments are usually required and how far apart must they be?
Treatments for varicose veins are usually done one to two times per week. Most cases can be completed in one month. We then do four follow-up exams over the a 12-month period to endure results.
How long do the results last?
Saphenous veins and primary varicose veins do not require do not recur although it is still possible at sometime in the future to develop another varicose branch from the deep system.
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Spider Veins
How does sclerotherapy treatment for spider veins work?
Sclerotherapy involves placing a tiny needle with a mild soap solution into the affected spider veins. The spider veins then gradually absorb and disappear.
Do we offer any other treatments for spider veins on the legs?
Yes. For resistant red vessels, we will often use lasers, although the best treatment for most of the veins still remains injection sclerotherapy.
How many treatments are required and how far apart?
Spider vein treatments are usually done at least three weeks apart and most people require three to four treatments. For more information about our spider vein treatments or about our cosmetic options, including acne treatment, contact our Florida practice.
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Cosmetic Treatment FAQs
Which procedures require numbing and how long do you numb for each?
- Fraxel® Laser Skin Resurfacing - One hour
- Cosmetic Fillers and Injectables - 40 minutes
- Photofacial™ - (numbing cream is optional)
- Hair Removal - 40 minutes
Is laser skin resurfacing right for me?
Laser skin resurfacing may be appropriate for patients seeking treatment for discoloration, wrinkles, sun damage, acne marks, or other types of imperfections in skin appearance. Individuals with severe scarring may need to use additional scar revision techniques.
What are the benefits of laser skin resurfacing?
By removing dead, unhealthy skin and exposing a softer and younger-looking complexion, laser skin resurfacing treatments have proven to be an effective method of reversing sun damage and other tell-tale signs of aging. With laser skin resurfacing, Dr. Jeffrey A. Hunt can reduce facial wrinkles and fine lines, as well as correct scars and skin irregularities. Laser skin resurfacing may also reduce the appearance of acne scars, uneven pigmentation, and many other skin imperfections.
How many visits are required for these resurfacing treatments?
- Fraxel® Laser Skin Resurfacing - Fraxel® usually requires four treatments, performed two to three weeks apart.
- Harmony® Pixel Laser Skin Resurfacing - Harmony® usually requires four treatments, performed two to three weeks apart.
In which cases would you choose one skin resurfacing treatment over the other?
- Fraxel® over Harmony® - We are currently recommending Fraxel® over Harmony® for deep acne scars and deep wrinkles.
What is Mesotherapy?
Mesotherapy is an effective, minimally-invasive alternative to liposuction for cellulite reduction and body contouring. To work on a given area, most people require five treatments, spaced approximately two weeks apart.
What are the key differences between your cosmetic fillers?
- ArteFill® is the first FDA-approved permanent filler for nasolabial folds. It requires one treatment and then a touch-up at approximately three months.
- Juvéderm™ is a temporary filler that lasts six to nine months, although an extension of up to one year was recently approved by the FDA based on new clinical data. It can be used anywhere in the face, however its mostly used for nasolabial folds and the lips.
- Restylane® is a temporary filler that is primarily used for nasolabial folds and the lips. Results last six to nine months.
- Radiesse® can be used to correct smile lines, nasolabial folds, and wrinkles around the nose and mouth. It typically lasts a year or slightly longer.
- Sculptra™ is used as a volume filler throughout the face. It can be used to enhance cheekbones or for nasolabial folds. It usually requires three treatments spaced approximately five weeks apart. Since Sculptra™ builds up your own collagen, it lasts for several years.
- Silikon® is used primarily for the lips. There is an initial treatment followed by a touch-up at one month. This product appears to last for at least seven years.
What is BOTOX® Cosmetic, what does it do, and how long do results typically last?
BOTOX® Cosmetic relaxes facial muscles causing wrinkles and lines to disappear. The results typically last three to four months, although with repeated treatments, many areas last longer than this.
What is Acoustic Wave Therapy™?
Acoustic Wave Therapy™ utilizes sound waves to disrupt the tiny adhesions that cause the dimpled appearance of cellulite. It is very well tolerated and fast. Most people do six treatments done twice a week for three weeks. Final results are not seen until six weeks after the last treatment, however, most people will begin noticing improvement in their cellulite after approximately three or four treatments. How long results is partly going to depend on genetics, activity, and diet of the patient.
What is Thermage®?
Thermage® uses radio frequency energy to tighten the skin. It appears to work best for skin tightening under the chin and mid-face and jowls area. Thermage® usually requires just one treatment, however, additional treatments can be performed at six month intervals. There is usually a little bit of initial tightening during the procedure, and the end results are seen within two to three months. Results appear to last for a number of years.
How does Lumenis One™ IPL treatment work?
A band of light is focused on the skin where it penetrates and heats the hair follicles destroying the hair. Lumenis One™ IPL treatment results are long-lasting as this is listed as a permanent hair reduction procedure.
What is Blu-U® acne treatment?
Blu-U® is an effective, completely painless acne treatment used at our Tampa, Florida practice to treat patients with acne. This common and frustrating disorder will usually go away with time. However, persistent acne may require acne treatment or topical treatments such as Obagi CLENZIderm M.D.™ and chemical peels.
If you suffer from severe acne or acne scarring, Dr. Jeffrey A. Hunt can identify the best acne treatment for your case. To schedule a acne treatment consultation, contact our office in Tampa, Florida.
What is intense pulsed light (IPL®) therapy?
Intense pulsed light (IPL®) therapy is an advanced treatment used to correct an array of facial skin disorders. IPL® utilizes pulses of high-intensity light (not lasers) to improve the skin’s appearance.
What does IPL® skin rejuvenation treat?
IPL® treatments can help reduce acne or rosacea, smooth uneven skin texture, close large pores, and minimize wrinkles.
What exactly is cellulite?
Cellulite describes the dimpling of skin, typically on thighs, hips, and buttocks, caused by the protrusion of fat into the dermis. Almost 90 percent of all women develop cellulite at some point.
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Contact the Vein Center of Tampa Bay
We offer effective, non-surgical vein removal, as well as skin rejuvenation, pigmentation correction, laser hair removal, and acne treatments to patients at our Tampa, Florida practice. Visit our patient gallery to view some of these fantastic transformations. If you would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Jeffrey A. Hunt and find out which vascular or cosmetic treatments are right for you, contact the Vein Center of Tampa Bay and Stunning Looks™ Medi Spa. We will be happy to answer any additional questions you may have.
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For more information about our vein, cosmetic, or acne treatment options, contact our Florida office.
Vein Center of Tampa Bay
3001 N Rocky Point Dr E
Suite 125, Tampa, Florida 33607
(813) 282-0223
(866) 297-9825 - TOLL FREE
