pider veins most commonly appear on the thighs, calves and ankles, but can also appear on the nose or face. Spider veins get their name because they resemble a star with numerous small veins radiating outward like the legs of a spider. They may appear red, blue or purple and appear to be thread-like lines. Varicose veins are blue or purplish enlarged veins that usually bulge out of the leg. While spider veins are a cosmetic problem, varicose veins can cause discomfort and pain.

To treat spider veins and varicose veins, a doctor must collapse them and fade them from view.   Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical injection therapy that causes the disappearance of spider and varicose veins in the legs.  Sclerotherapy uses small needles and requires no incisions or anesthesia.  A solution is injected into the problem varicose or spider veins and causes them to close.Over the next four to six weeks the body will absorb the vein and it will completely disappear.      

Sclerotherapy for spider and varicose veins usually takes less than 30-60 minutes.

Cost of the Procedure

Risks of the Procedure

Sclerotherapy has a very good safety record. Patients are encouraged to resume normal activities immediately after a sclerotherapy session and walking is highly recommended. Allergic reactions are very rare but a few individuals may develop intense itching at the site of the injection.

Are travel and vacation activities compatible with surgery?

There is typically no downtime associated with sclerotherapy. Patients are encouraged to resume normal activity immediately following the procedure and are encouraged to walk, so all vacation activities are compatible with the surgery.

Preparing for the procedure

To treat spider veins, a doctor must collapse them and fade them from view. The patient may undergo an initial laser calibration session to determine the optimal settings for the laser base don small portions of the patient’s skin. During the procedure, a focused beam of light is targeted to the pigment of the blood. The laser gently heats the vein and destroys it. The intense focus of the laser beam eliminates the risk of damaging surrounding skin. Over the next four to six weeks the body will absorb the vein and it will completely disappear. Laser treatment of spider veins usually takes less than 10-20 minutes.

Planning for my recovery

The patient may experience some redness and swelling of the treated area, which should disappear within a few days. The patient must keep the leg elevated for the remainder of the day. The patient may remove the original bandage, bathe, and reapply a compression garment to the legs the next day. Tight-fitting support hose may be prescribed to guard against blood clots and to promote healing which must be worn for 72 hours or more. The area must be kept dry during this period. The veins will turn a purple color that resembles a small bruise, which will gradually fade within 5-10 days. Ice packs or frozen aloe vera gel is recommended to reduce the swelling