Spider veins, medically known as telangiectasia, are disproportionably more common in women than men. Factors such as hereditary, hormonal, pregnancy, occupation and activity play a significant role in the development of such veins. Although telangiectasia are usually not a significant medical concern, the aesthetic concern can be overwhelming, and can create a disfiguring appearance that can ruin the self esteem of many persons.
Although many individuals come in wanting laser treatments for their spider veins, there are a few different methods of removing spider veins, such as sclerotherapy, which is still the gold standard in care today, electrocautery, and of course, laser.
Spider veins are not varicose veins. Spider veins reside quite superficially in the 
dermis of the skin and are readily visible. Varicose veins are much larger, rope like, twisted and knotted, and they are much deeper in the skin. You can feel them, and see them and they are usually a bluish green color. Varicose veins are medical condition that requires other, more intense treatments, such as surgical removal.
Spider veins can easily be treated in the medical office as an outpatient procedure. With the injection of a sclerosant into these tiny veins, improvement can be seen in as few as 1-3 treatments, although 4-5 treatments may be required. The procedure itself can be somewhat annoying, although most patients do perfectly well. Pain is minimal, and is more like an insect bite than a true painful stick of a needle.
The needles used are very small and fine.The sclerosant, or the solution that will be injected into the spider veins, is determined by the number, size and locations of your spider veins. In this office, we use sclerovein solution; 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0% as well as a hypertonic salt solution or sodium chloride, depending on your individual needs. Sclerovein tends to be more comfortable during the procedure when compared to other common sclerosing agents, such a hypertonic saline. Saline is FDA approved and has a very good clearance rate, but can be a bit uncomfortable. The number of injections you will need depends on the amount of spider veins being treated as well as the strength of the solution used.
Once a vein is injected, a cotton ball will be applied to create pressure and tape will be used to hold the cotton ball in place. You will be leaving the office with MANY cotton balls taped all over your legs, and support hose on top of that.
Support hose, pressurized to hasten the resolution of your spider veins will need to be purchased and worn upon completion of your treatment and for 48 hours after. At that point, you may remove your support hose, the cotton balls and tape, and shower. You will be expected to continue wearing the support hose 12-24 hours per day for the next 2-3 weeks to achieve optimal improvement.
Your spider veins will look WORSE than before the procedure for about a week, due to the inflammation and blood that can develop around the injection site, and scab formation. At about 1 week, these side effects will resolve, your veins will begin to fade and will continue to do so for 4 weeks.
You may see minimal improvement or dramatic improvement, depending on your own healing process, adherence to post care instructions and avoidance of certain medications during this time.
Everyone is different, and it is impossible to say who will respond quicker or better and who will not.
To view Before & After results of Spider Vein treatments performed in our office click here.
We do ask that you inform us of any of the following conditions, as they may be a contraindication to this treatment or may slow your treatment results down.
- A known allergy to the SCLEROVEIN solution used
- Pregnancy / breast feeding
- Taking oral contraceptive pills
- Skin infections about the areas to be treated
- Planned heart surgery
- Varicose veins caused by pelvic tumors
- Uncontrolled disease; i.e., diabetes, hypertension, venous stasis, edema, HIV, etc.
- Inability to walk
- Varicose veins that need to be addressed
- Recent alcohol, aspirin, blood thinning medications < 5-7 days prior to procedure
- Activity or social event within 7 days of procedure requiring you to expose area
- Accutane use within 3 months of treatment time
- History of phlebitis
- Bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia
NOTE - You must have your support hose, stockings, etc with you the day of your procedure or we will be required to reschedule your treatment. It is mandatory that you have your support hose with you at this time.
Although sclerotherapy is the preferred method of spider vein removal, both in efficacy as well as in safety, you need to be aware of a few potential side effects associated with sclerotherapy treatment.
- Irritation, stinging and mild pain at the injection sites for 2 -12 hours
- Redness, swelling, up to 7 days.
- Muscle cramps – usually resolve within 2 hours
- Bruising up to 30 days
- Itching – 1-2 hours after treatment
- Small ulcerations may form around the injection sites, usually heals within 3-4 weeks, but can leave a permanent white scar.
- Brown discoloration where the veins were injected. This can look worse than the veins themselves. This discoloration usually fades over 6 months, but can be permanent.
- NEW spider veins can form where larger ones were treated, also known as ANGIOGENESIS, which is unpredictable. Angiogenesis may require additional sclerotherapy treatments.
Spider Vein Treatment |
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