Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is an injection procedure that has been used for the treatment of spider veins since the 1930's. One of several kinds of solutions, called sclerosing solutions, is injected directly into the blood vessel with a very fine needle. The solution irritates the lining of the vessel causing it to swell and close off. Over a period of weeks to months the vessel turns into scar tissue that is barely noticeable. To achieve maximal effect, a single blood vessel may have to be injected on several occasions.
Spider Veins
Spider Veins are small superficial blood vessels in the skin that are red or blue in color. They may be short, unconnected lines or connected in a pattern resembling a spider web or a tree with branches. They appear in both men and women, but much more frequently in women. Although the cause is not completely known, female hormones seem to plan a significant role in their development, as birth control pills, pregnancy, and hormone replacement therapy lead to an increase in their prevalence. They also may appear after injury.
Sclerosing Solutions
We use safe, well tolerated solutions that do not produce pain upon injection and have little potential to cause allergic reactions.
Post Treatment
Pressure bandages are applied to the injected areas immediately after treatment. Normal walking, but not vigorous exercise, is allowed the day of treatment. Routine exercise may be resumed 2 days later.
Surgical support pantyhose are recommended for daytime use for 3 weeks after treatment as it is felt that this helps to seal the treated vessels, keep the blood from collecting under the skin, and reduce the development of dark spots. It also may reduce the number of treatments necessary, and the possibility of recurrence.
Side Effects
- Stinging or pain upon injection is minimal with the sclerosing agents that we administer.
- Vessels become inflamed and therefore raised upon injection. This reaction is short-lived, usually flattening within hours.
- Bruising is uncommon and short lived.
- Dark lines or spots at the sites of treated blood vessels may occur for several reasons. Dark blue black areas that develop shortly after treatment either represent blood that has escaped from treated vessels upon injection, or non flowing blood trapped within vessels injured by treatment. Both of these resolve within several weeks. Tan or rust- colored areas that develop weeks to months after treatment represent a reactive inflammation and resultant darkening of the skin overlying the slowly degenerating vessels below. This fairly subtle change can take several months to resolve.
- Lumps in injected vessels represent coagulated blood and are not of medical concern. If cosmetically unacceptable, physicians may drain the blood from these areas a few weeks after injection.
- Small painful ulcers due to leaking of sclerosing solution into surrounding skin is rare with the solutions that we administer.
- Allergic reactions are uncommon.
Success Rate
After several treatments, most patients can expect a 50 - 80 % improvement.
Recurrence
Recurrence of resolved veins is not common. Although it may seem that a previously injected vessel has recurred, in fact, a new spider vein has appeared in the same area.
Costs
Insurance does not cover treatment of spider veins as almost invariably it is undertaken for cosmetic reasons. The patient is therefore responsible for the cost of the treatment. Costs will be quoted prior to treatment.
A deposit is required to schedule the appointment, and is applied to the total fee for the procedure. The appointment cannot be scheduled until the deposit is received. The deposit is refundable up to 48 hours prior to the procedure. The balance of the fee must be paid in full at the time of the procedure.