With age comes wisdom…and spider veins. Those clusters of purple, blue and red squiggly lines under the skin aren’t usually painful, but they can be unsightly for those who get them. Luckily, a treatment called sclerotherapy can effectively remove this cosmetic annoyance so you don’t have to cover up your legs anymore. Read on to learn how sclerotherapy works to erase spider veins.
Spider veins small, superficial clusters of veins close to the skin’s surface. They carry dark, de-oxygenated blood, which is why they are so visible. Spider veins are common in women between the ages of 30 and 50. Hormones and heredity can contribute to their development. They’re mostly found on the thighs, calves and ankles, which is why women tend to cover them up with clothing. Unlike varicose veins, spider veins aren’t usually painful. They’re more of a cosmetic concern that patients want to treat.
Sclerotherapy treatment is the most effective way to remove spider veins. It consists of a highly concentrated saline solution or sodium tetradecyl sulfate solution that is injected into the vein through a very fine needle. The solution irritates the vein wall and causes the vein to collapse and close. The appearance of the vein instantly fades, and remaining visible vein will fade over the next few weeks.
There is very little pain associated with treatment. Many patients say it feels like a little pinprick. The treatment only takes a few minutes, depending on how many spider veins will be targeted.
After treatment, you will wear compression hosiery for 1-2 weeks. The pressure from the hose helps the body absorb the closed-off veins. You can walk and return to moderate exercise immediately after treatment, but you’ll want to avoid strenuous activity for a week.
Even though spider veins are considered a cosmetic problem, it doesn’t mean you have to live with them. If you are interested in learning more about sclerotherapy and live in or around the Fort Worth area, call 817.893.2699 to schedule a consultation.