Sclerotherapy

Description: Injection of benign spider and varicose veins, usually in the legs, using a sclerosing solution, which makes veins less visible

Length of Procedure: 15 to 45 minutes per treatment

In/Out Patient: Outpatient

Anesthesia: None required

Recovery Time: Return to work immediately or next day. Moderate exercise in 24 hours. May need to wear support hose or a compression wrap for two days to two weeks

Treatment Frequency: Three to four monthly treatments, depending on size of area

Risks: Blood clots at injection site, pigmentation changes

Duration of Results: Long-lasting; however, schlerotherapy does not prevent new veins from appearing

Five Essential Questions for your Dermatologist reqarding Spider Vein treatment:
1. What is your experience treating veins and vascular lesions of the face, body and legs?
2. What techniques do you regularly practice and which of these techniques do you recommend to me?
3. How many treatments will I require to achieve my goals? Is this form of treatment safe for my skin type?
4. What type of recovery will I require?
5. Will you treat me yourself, or will it be a member of your staff? What are his or her qualifications?

FYI
Leg veins can be more than a cosmetic issue. Abnormally swollen or enlarged blood vessels (varicose veins) can lead to pain in the legs as well as to health conditions such as phlebitis (inflammation of the vein), thrombosis (clots in the vein) and venous ulcers (open sores due to poor circulation and fluid retention).