Treatment of Spider Veins (Sclerotherapy)
Sclerotherapy is a procedure that uses injections of Asclera, a sclerosing solution approved by the FDA to clot, dissolve, and eliminate unsightly spider veins – the discolored clusters of blood vessels that can appear under the skin on the legs and face. Not merely a cosmetic treatment, sclerotherapy is also helpful in relieving some of the medical symptoms that occasionally accompany severe spider veins, including cramping, aching, burning, and swelling.
Though they can occur in the legs, hips, and ankles of both men and women, these clusters of unsightly veins are often a more noticeable cosmetic issue with women, as the hair on men’s legs often covers the signs of spider veins. As common as these blood vessels are, however, it’s important to remember that spider veins do not serve a necessary role in the oxygenation of the body’s tissues. Thus, spider vein removal with Sclerotherapy poses no considerable health risks to the patient.
The procedure to remove spider veins takes approximately 30 minutes depending on the number of visible veins, and requires no down time. Patients can immediately return to their regular activities, although it is advised that anyone who receives Asclera treatments avoid exercise and other heavy activity for a week after the procedure, and use of support hose for the first several days is necessary to prevent reoccurrence. For these reasons, many people choose to avoid sclerotherapy in the summer months.
Benefits of Sclerotherapy for Spider Veins
- Each session typically results in elimination of 50 to 80 percent of the injected veins.
- Safe, minimally painful, in-office treatment.
- Minimally invasive.
- Little risk of complications with no incisions, and no anesthetics used.
- No “down” time, doesn’t interfere with normal daily activities.
To schedule a sclerotherapy consultation to discuss treatment of spider veins, please schedule a free consultation today.