Have you noticed your veins becoming visible and bulging? If you are wanting to find a solution for spider and varicose veins with minimal stress, sclerotherapy might be the right treatment option for you.
What is Sclerotherapy Vein Treatment?
Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive vein treatment that works to safely remove the appearance of varicose and spider veins. The procedure involves injecting a specialized solution that irritates the lining of a cell causing it to swell, scar, and rupture. The vein then collapses, causing the blood to reroute through new, healthier veins. Over time, the vein closes and then gradually disappears.
What are Spider Veins? What are Varicose Veins?
Veins are thin-walled blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood from your tissues back to the heart. They are different from arteries, which deliver oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body. Damaged vein walls can disrupt your circulatory system, leading to high blood pressure and an increased risk of blood clots.
Veins have a one-way valve to help carry blood throughout the body properly. If the valve becomes damaged and stops working, blood may flow in the wrong direction causing build-up and may lead to spider veins or varicose veins. Varicose veins are twisted, swollen veins and will rise above the surface of your skin and have a bluish-purple or red color. They commonly appear in the legs and feet. Spider veins are damaged veins that become enlarged and rise to the surface appearing on the skin as blue, purple, or red. These lines look like spider webs displaying the network of blood vessels underneath. Spider veins commonly appear on the legs, feet, chest, hands, and face.
Several factors such as genetics, hormonal shifts, fluctuations in weight, pregnancy, lifestyle habits, occupational activities, and certain medical conditions can increase your risk of developing these unsightly veins.
Symptoms of Varicose and Spider Veins
Common symptoms of spider and varicose veins may include the following:
- Burning or throbbing sensation
- Dry, itchy skin
- Feeling of heaviness in the legs
- Muscle cramps
- Persistent ache
- Swollen feet and ankles
Procedure
As stated above, sclerotherapy involves injecting a specialized solution into the targeted veins using a micro-needle. The solution irritates and collapses the vein eventually causing them to disappear. Treatment is quick and generally takes less than an hour depending on the area being treated. If you have multiple veins or larger groupings, multiple injections may be necessary. During your consultation, we will discuss your options and determine what treatment schedule works best for you.
Recovery
After treatment, the area will be dressed in compressive tape or stockings. The area may be bruised but should subside within a few days. Some patients report discoloration after treatment during the healing process, however, it should disappear after a few months once the vein is closed. We recommend you avoid squatting, heavy lifting, or strenuous exercise for at least a week. Do not stand or sit in one position for too long during the first week of healing. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
Results
After a month, if you notice the veins are lighter but still visible, return to our office to schedule an appointment so that we can decide if additional treatments are necessary. Smaller veins respond well within two months, but larger veins may take four months to diminish and require multiple treatments. It is important to note that though treatment is permanent, new veins can appear. We recommend patients take steps towards reducing the risk of developing spider and varicose veins to avoid them in the future.
If you are concerned with the appearance of your veins, we are here to help you look as good as you feel. For more information on vein treatments or to schedule an appointment, contact Skin Deep today.
