Learn More About Sclerotherapy Treatment Options
Spider veins are unsightly blemishes that can appear anywhere on the body. Once they arrive, there’s very little you can do to naturally eliminate them. These veins generally appear on the face and legs, creating a spiderweb pattern just under the skin’s surface. Sclerotherapy is a method of treating these veins in a way that can cause them to fade away. Parasol Dermatology provides this treatment for patients.
How Sclerotherapy Can Help Spiderweb Veins
Veins carry blood to the heart once it has passed through the body. They have simple valve-like structures that ensure the blood moves in the right direction to keep the flow working properly. When these valves break down, blood can stop flowing forward and pool up in the vein. This causes additional strain on the vessel, causing it to stretch. When this happens, the result is one of two things, spider veins or the larger varicose veins. More than 85 million people in the United States have issues with their veins, including 50 percent of all women.
Sclerotherapy is a routine procedure that has been in use since the 1930s and can be performed in our office. This involves the injection of a sclerosing solution into the veins. The solution irritates the veins and causes them to develop scar tissue that fades over time. This causes the spider veins to fade away. It’s quick and easy to perform, taking no more than an hour in most cases. This treatment is not approved to be used to address the larger varicose veins.
While the conditions that cause these veins aren’t well understood, some factors are known to contribute. Among them are:
- Genetics
- Pregnancy
- Puberty
- Estrogen and progesterone
- Birth control pills
- Long periods spent standing
- Leg injury
- Obesity
- Aging
Sclerotherapy is a simple in-office procedure. A series of two to four treatments generally can achieve the desired results. One great benefit of this procedure is the complete lack of downtime. Following sclerotherapy, it’s only necessary to avoid strenuous activity for 72 hours.
Spider and varicose veins can be the cause of significant leg pain. Symptoms include burning, throbbing, itching, cramping, aching, fatigue, heaviness and restlessness. They can also make it difficult for the tissues of the legs to get proper nutrition. This, in turn, can lead to ulceration, eczema and inflammation.
The particulars of the treatment depend on the severity of the case. The goal is to eliminate the visibility of every spider vein. It can also help relieve the symptoms that occur due to enlarged veins and prevent more complications from developing.
Find Out If Sclerotherapy Can Help You Today!
If you are experiencing symptoms associated with spider veins or just want to reduce their appearance, call us today for a consultation with Dr. Bolante. She’ll assess your current concerns and provide a comprehensive treatment plan to reach your aesthetic and dermatological health goals. We look forward to seeing you!
