Dr. Robert Cutchen Albuquerque & Santa Fe

Meet Dr. Robert Cutchen

In 2009, Dr. Cutchen founded Albuquerque Vein & Laser Institute, a clinic dedicated solely to the diagnosis and treatment of venous disease. His goal was to provide the most advanced diagnostic and treatment options all in the comfort of his office without the need for hospitalization. Our goal is to treat every patient the way we ourselves would hope to be treated.

Read Dr. Cutchen’s full bio here

Vein Treatments Albuquerque & Santa Fe

Vein Treatments

We provide our patients with the most advanced and comprehensive vein treatments. See the difference between before and after.

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Aesthetic Treatments Albuquerque & Santa Fe

Aesthetic Treatments

We utilize the power of advanced laser technology to treat a multitude of cosmetic concerns. See what a difference our treatments can make.

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Patient Resources Albuquerque & Santa FeDo you have a question?

Discover our FAQ pages to find your answers. If you still have a question, please call us at (505) 848-8346 and we will be happy to assist you.

Sclerotherapy
Vein Treatment Albuquerque & Santa Fe

Sclerotherapy

The gold standard in spider vein treatment, sclerotherapy is a relatively simple treatment that produces excellent cosmetic results in the elimination of spider veins. Spider veins are a purely cosmetic issue in that they do not cause discomfort or swelling.

How Does Sclerotherapy Work?

Am I a Good Candidate for Sclerotherapy?

What is Sclerotherapy Like?

Is There Any Downtime?

What Results Can I Expect
from Sclerotherapy?

During a sclerotherapy treatment session, an FDA-approved solution is injected directly into the spider vein via a tiny needle. The sclerosant solution irritates the lining of the vein and causes it to collapse. The vein fades and is reabsorbed over the course of time. Blood then travels through an alternative path through neighboring veins. Many areas will require more than one treatment to achieve full fading.

Anyone with fine red or blue threadlike veins on the legs is a candidate for treatment. Spider veins generally do not cause discomfort. If a patient also has any bulging large varicose veins, those need to be treated first before addressing the spider veins. If you are not sure exactly what is the best course for you, we recommend coming in for a free vein screening. In this quick office visit, Dr. Cutchen can look at your legs, discuss any symptoms, and recommend a course of action. Patients with bulging varicose veins or symptoms of discomfort will likely be encouraged to return for an ultrasound of the legs to evaluate the larger veins for venous reflux. Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not undergo sclerotherapy.

Even though sclerotherapy treatment does involve the use of needles, they are very small and the procedure is generally well tolerated. Treatment time is usually about 25 minutes. Arnica gel, a soothing topical gel, is applied at the conclusion of the visit, as are compression stockings which are worn for about 2 weeks after treatment.

Generally, normal activities can be resumed immediately after sclerotherapy, and more pounding exercises, such as running, can be resumed one week post-treatment. Medical strength compression stockings are worn for 2 weeks after each treatment session. Patients should avoid soaking in hot water (bathtub or hot tub) for two weeks.

Following treatment, patients are advised to apply Arnica gel twice daily for bruising.  We warn our patients that the treated areas will appear worse before they look better. During the first two weeks post-treatment, the veins often look darker, and bruising will occur. Over the course of the following four to six weeks, the treated spider veins slowly begin to fade. Large clusters of spider veins fade over the course of months and not days or weeks and require more than one treatment to the specific area.  Most patients require 3-5 treatments for full clearance, but the actual number will vary with every person.

During a sclerotherapy treatment session, an FDA-approved solution is injected directly into the spider vein via a tiny needle. The sclerosant solution irritates the lining of the vein and causes it to collapse. The vein fades and is reabsorbed over the course of time. Blood then travels through an alternative path through neighboring veins. Many areas will require more than one treatment to achieve full fading.

Anyone with fine red or blue threadlike veins on the legs is a candidate for treatment. Spider veins generally do not cause discomfort. If a patient also has any bulging large varicose veins, those need to be treated first before addressing the spider veins. If you are not sure exactly what is the best course for you, we recommend coming in for a free vein screening. In this quick office visit, Dr. Cutchen can look at your legs, discuss any symptoms, and recommend a course of action. Patients with bulging varicose veins or symptoms of discomfort will likely be encouraged to return for an ultrasound of the legs to evaluate the larger veins for venous reflux. Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not undergo sclerotherapy.

Even though sclerotherapy treatment does involve the use of needles, they are very small and the procedure is generally well tolerated. Treatment time is usually about 25 minutes. Arnica gel, a soothing topical gel, is applied at the conclusion of the visit, as are compression stockings which are worn for about 2 weeks after treatment.

Generally, normal activities can be resumed immediately after sclerotherapy, and more pounding exercises, such as running, can be resumed one week post-treatment. Medical strength compression stockings are worn for 2 weeks after each treatment session. Patients should avoid soaking in hot water (bathtub or hot tub) for two weeks.

Following treatment, patients are advised to apply Arnica gel twice daily for bruising.  We warn our patients that the treated areas will appear worse before they look better. During the first two weeks post-treatment, the veins often look darker, and bruising will occur. Over the course of the following four to six weeks, the treated spider veins slowly begin to fade. Large clusters of spider veins fade over the course of months and not days or weeks and require more than one treatment to the specific area.  Most patients require 3-5 treatments for full clearance, but the actual number will vary with every person.

Sclerotherapy Before and After | Albuquerque & Santa Fe

If you would like to learn more about Sclerotherapy, please call our office at 505-848-8346 today to schedule a consultation or fill out the form on this page and one of our trusted staff members will reach out to you promptly.