Sclerotherapy

Millions of women are bothered by spider veins - those small yet unsightly clusters of red, blue or purple veins that most commonly appear on the thighs, calves and ankles. Spider veins can affect women or men, but they are more commonly seen in women. Causes include heredity, weight gain, certain medications, local trauma, sun exposure and prolonged sitting/standing. While these veins contain blood, they are not part of the venous valve system and are not necessary to a healthy circulation. Varicose veins differ from spider veins in a number of ways. They are larger, usually more than a quarter-inch in diameter, darker in color, and they tend to bulge.

Sclerotherapy is a safe, non-surgical method of removing superficial spider veins from the legs. In this rather simple procedure, veins are injected with a sclerosing solution, which causes them to collapse and fade from view.

Sclerotherapy can enhance your appearance and your self confidence. It is unrealistic to believe that every affected vein will disappear completely as a result of one treatment. After each sclerotherapy session, the veins will appear lighter. Three or more sessions are usually required to achieve optimal results. You should also be aware that the procedure treats only those veins that are currently visible; it does nothing to permanently alter the venous system or prevent new veins from surfacing in the future. As time passes, you may find that you need "touch-ups" or full treatments for new veins that surface. But even if you choose not to have further sclerotherapy, your legs will look better than if you never had treatment at all.

Following treatment, you will need to wear compression (hose or bandages) in order to keep pressure on the veins. In most cases, you will be able to resume regular activities immediately.

When scheduling your procedure, keep in mind that your legs may be bruised or slightly discolored for a week afterward. You probably won't be comfortable wearing shorts, a swimsuit or a mini skirt until your legs have cleared. You should be aware that your treated veins will look worse before they begin to look better. Tanning and/or exposure to the sun should be avoided for one month after each treatment.

A one-month healing interval must pass before you may have your second series of injections in the same site. After each treatment, you will notice further improvement of your legs' appearance.

Sclerotherapy:

• Treatment for spider veins
• No down time
• Minimal discomfort
• Effective