Treatment for Spider Veins: Sclerotherapy

Treatment for Spider Veins: Sclerotherapy

Superficial leg veins, also known as spider veins, telangiectasia, or star burst blemishes are small, dilated surface veins that can be pink, red, or purple and appear as lines or clusters on ankles, lower legs, or thighs. The questions and answers below will help you learn more about the treatment and decide if it is right for you.

If you are considering a Boston area sclerotherapy treatment to improve the appearance of unwanted spider veins, learn how less invasive techniques can improve your appearance in remarkable ways. Request a consultation online or contact us at (617) 731-1600 to schedule your appointment.

Meet Our PhysiciansServices We Offer

What Causes These Vessels and Can They Be Prevented?

Dysfunction of the valves within veins contributes to spider veins, and several factors may play a prominent role in their development, including heredity, pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy, oral contraceptives, obesity, and trauma. Although exercise, weight loss, and support hose may limit the number of new vessels, it will not prevent their development.

What Is Sclerotherapy and How Do I Prepare for the Treatments?

Performed on an outpatient basis, sclerotherapy involves the injection of a sclerosing solution, (such as hypertonic saline, glycerin or Sotradecol) into the dilated vessels. This causes the lining of the vessels to swell and close, resulting in both a lighter color and improvement in the appearance of the vessels. In many cases, the veins can be completely eliminated.

Pre-Treatment Precautions

• Do not take Vitamin E or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as Advil^® or Motrin^®, or aspirin at least one week prior to treatment. Tylenol is a good substitute.
• You may also want to consider bringing comfortable shorts to wear during treatment and/or loose-fitting pants or a long skirt to wear home.

What Can I Expect During Treatment?

Most people experience mild discomfort for about 15 to 30 seconds, similar to a mosquito bite. The injected veins completely disappear for a few minutes as blood is pushed out by the solution, but they reappear when the blood flow returns. Since many vessels are interconnected, one injection may eradicate several dozen vessels at once by washing over the cells lining the inner wall of the vessel, causing them to shrink. They will slowly disappear, as your body’s natural response to injury clears them.

How Soon Will the Veins Disappear?

Veins will fade over six to eight weeks after treatment. Smaller vessels may disappear completely and large vessels should decrease in size.

Are There Any Side Effects Associated with Sclerotherapy?

Serious side effects from this procedure are extremely rare; however, some temporary side effects may occur.

• Local swelling and bruising may occur at the injection site and along the vessel. Swelling usually lasts no more than 24 hours; bruising fades within several weeks. Brown discoloration may infrequently develop. This usually lasts approximately three months, slowly fading away.
• Tenderness may occur at the injection site and along the vessel, and may persist for a few days.
• Immediately following injection, a hive-like reaction may develop at the site, usually lasting no longer than 30 minutes.
• Following injection of the ankle or calf, cramping similar to a “charley horse” may occur.

What Are the Post-Treatment Instructions?

Pressure gauze bandages may be placed over the treated vein and remain overnight after treatment. You should avoid contact sports, aerobics, and use of leg weights during this treatment. A 30-minute, moderately paced walk may be substituted for your regular workout.

Thereafter, ace bandages or compression support hose (available at our office) must be worn continuously (except to shower) for five days after treatment.

Medium-weight compression support hose are recommended for daytime wear during the one to two weeks following treatment; either Jobst sheer support pantyhose or Sigvaris Delilah pantyhose. Both are nonprescription, fitted by height and weight and available in several colors.

How Many Treatments Will I Need?

Treatment will depend on number, size and location of the veins as well as the level of cosmetic result you desire.

Are There Reasons Why I Should Not Have Sclerotherapy?

Patients with a history of inflammation of the veins (thrombophlebitis), blood clots in the legs, diabetes, arterial or other vascular problems, or previous leg ulcers are not treated with sclerotherapy. Pregnant women are almost always advised to postpone treatment until six months after delivery.

Do Other Treatment Options Exist?

Yes! Sclerotherapy remains the treatment of choice for spider veins but if sclerotherapy does not fade veins appreciably, if the veins are too small to be treated by sclerotherapy, or if you are fearful of needles, lasers and light sources are highly effective treatment options. The pulsed dye laser (V-Beam), and the long pulsed Nd:YAG laser (Lyra, Gemini, and GentleYAG) are effective in treating red, superficial, fine veins and also some bigger, deeper blue veins. The options will be discussed during your consultation.

Can You Treat Hand/Chest Veins?

Yes. Few patients are aware that unwanted hand and chest veins can be treated just as effectively. The hands can be a telltale sign of aging. Over time, as the skin thins and muscle tissues and fat deposits in the hands decrease, veins appear larger, making the hands appear aged or masculine. Likewise, a number of women tend to have visible breast veins especially after breast augmentation surgery. If deemed unsightly, breast veins can easily be treated with sclerotherapy.

How Is the Treatment Performed?

Like treatment of leg veins, injection sclerotherapy offers a fast, simple, and virtually painless way to eliminate unwanted hand veins and chest veins with no significant risks. The treatment is done in the office and requires no anesthesia. It involves the injection of a solution into the vein with a fine needle. The solution causes the veins to slowly collapse over time. Two hours after treatment, the patient can resume all activity without limitations. The results are dramatic and long lasting.

Is the Treatment Safe?

The procedure is safe for healthy patients. Once the target veins are eliminated, blood flow is rerouted to other existing veins without compromising circulation. Some mild bruising and swelling may occur after treatment, but quickly resolves. Patients who have undergone radical mastectomy, those who have a dialysis shunt, or patients who have had any significant trauma to the hands, arms, or chest are poor candicates for this procedure.

Vein Treatment Related Blog Posts

Chronic venous insufficiency: The basics

Chronic venous insufficiency is a condition where there is a poor venous return from the legs… Read On

Sclerotherapy gets rid of your unwanted superficial veins

This is a great time to get rid of your spider veins in time for shorts,… Read On

View More Vein Treatment Posts

At SkinCare Physicians, our doctors and staff are highly experienced with Boston area sclerotherapy treatments to remove unwanted spider veins on the face and body. Get started when you request a consultation online to come visit with us.