Sclerotherapy for Spider Vein Treatment

Sclerotherapy: a Simple Procedure for Broken Blood Vessels and Spider Vein Removal

Sclerotherapy for spider vein removal, provided is performed by a vein specialist doctor, can make a dramatic difference in how your legs look. The skin of your legs will appear younger, clearer and more healthy-looking. Once again, you can wear skirts and shorts without feeling uncomfortable about the look of those unsightly veins and broken capillaries.

How Does Sclerotherapy Work?

Sclerotherapy is a relatively simple spider vein treatment procedure using tiny needles to inject a sclerosing solution into the problem veins, causing them to dissolve, collapse and fade. Not only will your leg's appearance improve dramatically, the bothersome symptoms associated with spider veins will also disappear, including burning, aching, swelling and night cramps. Sclerosing agents are mild enough to allow predictable and relatively painless treatment.

SCLEROTHERAPY TREATMENT OF SPIDER VEINS

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Who Are the Best Candidates for Sclerotherapy?

Woman and men of any age who are suffering from unsightly spider veins and reticular veins (small to medium-sized blue veins) are good candidates for sclerotherapy. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advisable to postpone sclerotherapy, as it is not known whether sclerosants can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Spder vein removal with sclerotherapy should be administered to a pregnant woman only when the benefits outweigh the risks. It is also not known whether sclerosants are excreted in human milk. Accordingly, caution should be exercised when sclerotherapy is administered to a nursing woman. Dr. Dishakjian, the vein specialist doctor, will review your medical history and the severity of your condition to determine the best spider vein removal procedure or combination of treatments.

What to Expect During a Sclerotherapy Session?

The typical spider vein treatment session is relatively quick, lasting only about 30 to 60 minutes. While lying on an examination table, the treatment area of your legs will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution. The sclerotherapy injections are very small and cause only minimal discomfort. Anesthesia is not necessary.

Approximately one injection is administered for every inch of spider vein removal. Some people may experience some cramping or a mild burning sensation which quickly dissipates. Typically, two to three spider vein treatment sessions are required to achieve optimal results. The procedure treats only those veins that are currently visible, and does nothing to permanently alter the venous system or prevent new spider veins from surfacing in the future.

What Are the Side Effects of Spider Vein Removal with Sclerotherapy?

Common side effects of spider vein treatment with sclerotherapy are usually temporary and well tolerated. You may experience some itching, tenderness and skin bruising. You should be aware that your treated veins will probably look worse before they begin to look better. When the compression dressings are removed, you may notice bruising and reddish areas at the injection sites. The bruises will diminish within one month. In some cases, there may be some residual brownish pigmentation which may take up to a year to completely fade.

Serious medical complications from reticular and spider vein treatment with sclerotherapy are extremely rare when the procedure is performed by a qualified physician. Risks include the formation of blood clots in the veins, severe inflammation, adverse allergic reactions to the sclerosing solution and skin injury that could leave a small but permanent scar.

What Is Recovery From Sclerotherapy Like?

Although sclerotherapy generally does not require any recovery time, it is advisable to avoid activities that may lead to dilation of veins and blood stagnation, such as heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, hot baths or being inactive. You are encouraged to walk to prevent clots from forming in the deep veins of the legs. Wearing compression stockings is also recommended to improve the spider vein removal outcome and minimize discomfort and complications.

What Are the Sclerosant Solutions Used for Spider Vein Removal?

Hypertonic saline (18%-30% salt solution), which is rarely used today, was the primary sclerosing agent for many years. Hypertonic saline is FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved, but not as an sclerosant for spider vein removal. Until recently, Sotradecol (Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate or STS, an anionic surfactant) was the only FDA approved sclerosant intended for spider vein removal. On March 30, 2010, the FDA approved Asclera (polidocanol, a non-ionic detergent) injection for the treatment of spider veins (tiny varicose veins less than 1 millimeter in diameter) and reticular veins (those that are 1 to 3 millimeters in diameter). Chromated Glycerin (Sclermo), regularly used for spider vein removal by many vein specialists in the United States is not yet FDA-approved, despite being a very popular sclerosant throughout the world with a long track record of safety. Other sclerosant solutions that are used for spider vein removal include Sodium morrhuate (fatty acids in cod liver oil), Ethanolamine oleate, Hypertonic saline/dextrose (10% saline, 5% dextrose), and Polyiodide iodine (chemical irritant). Among these, Dr. Dishakjian uses Polidocanol, Sotradecol, both FDA approved, or Chromated glycerin, especially when brown pigmentation has been a problem with previous sclerotherapy treatments with either Polidocanol, Sotradecol.

Questions About Cost of Spider Vein Treatment or Sclerotherapy?

You may reach our Los Angeles medical spa and vein clinic by clicking the "Contact us" button at the top of the page, or by calling 818-832-4500. Our receptionist will be delighted to assist you with any enquiries regarding cost of spider vein treatment or sclerotherapy, additional information, or scheduling a free consultation session with Dr. Dishakjian, a cosmetic surgeon and phlebologist.

Click spider and varicose vein treatment Los Angeles to read about other treatment options available at the Center.