How Sclerotherapy Treats Spider Veins
As the leading treatment for spider veins, sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure that can reduce the appearance and symptoms of spider veins in 2 months over the course of several treatments. Each session takes anywhere from 15 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the severity of the affected area, and the cost per session varies according to how many veins require treatment. There is no hospitalization or anesthesia involved; every session occurs in the Calabasas office of board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hal Weitzbuch.
The Sclerotherapy Procedure
Before starting the procedure, Dr. Weitzbuch will sanitize the treatment area with alcohol. Then, the dermatologist will inject a sclerosing agent into the affected vein, which causes the vein to collapse and the blood to flow through other veins. Next, he will massage the area to distribute the sclerosing agent. In the weeks after the procedure, local tissue absorbs the collapsed vein, and the vein’s appearance fades. Like all cosmetic procedure, sclerotherapy has certain risks:
- Bruises.
- Dark lines and spots.
- Petechiae.
- Raised red patches.
- Small sores.
There are also rare complications associated with sclerotherapy:
- Coughs.
- Headaches.
- Nausea.
- Inflammation.Visual disturbances.
Post-Procedure
Immediately after the sclerotherapy procedure, patients must stand, walk and move their legs to prevent blood clots. Patients should expect to wear compression garments from 1 week to 3 weeks after their treatment. Usually, individuals who opt to undergo sclerotherapy can resume most activities one day after the procedure. However, they should not expose the treatment area to the sun for 2 weeks after treatment.
Preparing for Your Treatment
To determine whether someone is a candidate for sclerotherapy treatment, the dermatologist will take a thorough medical history and perform a physical exam. The dermatologist will also look at the affected veins and discuss the outcomes and risks involved with this treatment. Before undergoing a sclerotherapy procedure, patients should tell their dermatologist if they are pregnant or smoke. The dermatologist also needs to know if patients take oral contraceptives, supplements, prescriptions or over-the-counter medication. If patients have allergies, cancer, heart disease or a blood-clotting disorder, they should inform their dermatologist. Contact CDC today to learn more about eliminating spider veins from your life.