Veiny Legs? Sclerotherapy for Spider Veins
For many people, warmer days mean liberated legs for shorter shorts and flirtier skirts. But if you’re self-conscious about leg veins, you might just have a different take altogether. Maybe, your instinct is to cover up. Or, perhaps, you take a grin and bear it attitude to the classic looks of summer. There just so happens to be a third option (and the one we recommend), particularly for spider veins. A treatment called Sclerotherapy is a highly effective nonivasive procedure to permanently get rid of unsightly veins on the legs. Here’s more about making spider veins disappear:
Difference Between Leg Veins: Varicose vs. Spider Veins
Leg veins range from little, delicate, flat spider veins that spread across the surface of the skin to big, blue bulging varicose veins. Both varicose veins and spider veins can be found on the thighs, calves and feet. In addition, spider veins (the official medical term is telangiectasia) can form on the eyes, neck, chin and cheeks. The two types of veins vary by depth and diameter. Basically, they represent the same problem, but are of a different magnitude and appearance.
What Causes Spider Vein and Varicose Vein Issues?
You can blame poor venous flow in the lower extremities for both varicose veins and spider veins. As we age, the vein valves and walls weaken. This causes blood to pool in the area. As a result, the vein bulges and protrudes through the skin. Unfortunately, this process can be progressive. While vein problems usually start as a cosmetic concern and an embarrassment, they can turn into a health issue. For example, swollen and/or enlarged veins can cause pain, cramping, numbness and fatigue. In extreme cases, varicose veins can lead to venous skin ulcers and phlebitis.
Get Rid of Spider Veins with Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy for spider veins works to get rid of unwanted veins on the legs with an agent called Sclerosant. Sclerosant is an irritant that destroys the vein entirely. With a tiny needle, the Sclerotherapy injection solution is placed into the vein to produce a clot. As a result, the vein collapses, as the clot is reabsorbed by the body.
Sclerotherapy for Spider Veins: Results
Sclerotherapy therapy boasts an impressive 60-80% success rate at getting rid of unsightly spider veins. After Sclerotherapy treatment, spider veins tend to fade in a few weeks to six months. In addition, the procedure can help to improve blood flow in the leg veins and reduce chronic swelling in the treatment area.
How Many Sclerotherapy Sessions are Needed to Get Rid of Spider Veins?
Sclerotherapy therapy is often completed after 3-5 sessions. However, additional Sclerotherapy treatments may be needed, depending on the severity, size and number of veins. Larger leg veins may take three to four months to disappear. Once a spider vein is treated, it generally won’t return. However, additional veins may appear in new areas of the lower body.
Sclerotherapy Pain and Recovery: Is Sclerotherapy Safe?
Sclerotherapy for spider veins is generally considered safe and has a low complication rate. The procedure has been around for over 100 years and the Sclerotherapy injection solution was approved by the FDA in 1946. Furthermore, the procedure is fairly simple and takes about an hour per treatment. A tiny needle is inserted in the vein and the Sclerosant is injected into it. Some patients report minor stinging or burning during injection, but most consider the treatment to be easily tolerated.
Sclerotherapy for Spider Veins: Get Rid of Veiny Legs at Smooth Synergy, NYC
Smooth Synergy’s Medical Director, Dr. George Liakeas, has performed hundreds of successful Sclerotherapy procedures, providing much-needed relief for his patients suffering from the cosmetic and medical complications of spider veins. Call us at 212-397-0111 to find out whether Sclerotherapy at Smooth Synergy will help you get rid of unsightly spider veins….and liberate your legs for summer!
