Sclerotherapy – The Way to Battle Spider Veins

December 7, 2012 - By Dr. Jules Feledy

Do you hesitate to show off your legs, due to unsightly little veins visible on your thighs, shins, or ankles? Those are commonly called “spider veins,” and while harmless, they can become a detriment to overall body image for people who suffer from them.

While the cause is currently unknown (although heredity plays a part in their formation), the treatment is, and it’s a very simple procedure.

You may be thinking, “but wait, doesn’t that require surgery to remedy?” If you are, you’re thinking of varicose veins – the conditions are similar, but should not be confused. Varicose veins are usually larger, darker in color, and tend to bulge. Spider veins, meanwhile, are small and do not protrude from the skin. It’s true that varicose veins do require surgery, but spider veins can be treated with a minimally invasive treatment called sclerotherapy.

Beat those unsightly spider veins with sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy works by injecting a sclerosing, or stiffening, agent into the spider veins. This agent irritates the veins, causing them to close (no worries – blood flow moves on to healthier veins). Upon closing, the veins become less visible, which in turn means you can go back to wearing three quarter pants, when the mood suits you.

Sclerotherapy may require a couple of treatments to fully treat visible spider veins, and you might experience a slight stinging sensation at the point of injection. On the plus side, the treatment can be done in an afternoon, and requires very little downtime.

If you’re curious about sclerotherapy, and are just dying to get back into your favorite pair of cut-offs, book a consultation with your plastic surgeon and see if the treatment is right for you.