SCLEROTHERAPY
Spider Veins are tiny, enlarged vessels that appear beneath the surface of the skin and appear in the form of branches of thin lines or in clusters. They are often red, purple, or blue in colour and are commonly found on the lower and upper legs. Spider veins are usually caused by weakened or damaged valves in veins and factors that can increase occurrence include, genetics, pregnancy, age, and extended periods of sitting or standing.
How The Procedure Works
Sclerotherapy is a medical injection procedure that is used to eliminate spider veins in the legs. Sclerotherapy involves multiple tiny injections of a solution (a salt solution) directly into the vein. The solution irritates the lining of the blood vessel, causing the vessels to collapse and the blood to clot. Sclerotherapy is an effective treatment that has been widely used since the 1930s.
What The Procedure Feels Like
During the procedure, treatment areas will be cleaned and disinfected. The medication is administered with fine needles and will be injected into the veins. The injections will feel like mild pin pricks and you may experience mild stinging from the solution. The procedure can take approximately 15-30 minutes depending on size of the treating areas.
Who Is A Good Candidate
A good candidate is anyone who feels self-conscious about the appearance of their spider veins. You are not an eligible candidate if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and have a history of blood clots or suffer from clotting issues.
Number of Treatments
Typically, 3-4 sessions are recommended but varies with response to treatment and are spaced out 4 weeks apart. Even after one session, visible results are noticeable. Some vessels may disappear and some vessels may not respond and will require additional sessions.
What To Expect Immediately After Treatment
Immediately following treatment, the treated areas will be slightly red and blotchy and will be slightly inflamed and you may feel a stinging sensation. Although uncommon you may experience mild itching in the treated areas. Bruising may also occur at the injection sites and can last a few days or a couple of weeks.
When To Expect Results
Immediately after the treatment some vessels may have disappeared and most patients will see significant improvement in the next couple of weeks following their first session. It has been proven that anywhere from 50%-90% of injected veins may be eliminated with each session. However, since this treatment cannot prevent new veins from occurring, some patients will need to return for maintenance sessions.
PRE-CARE
· Avoid taking blood thinners such as Ibuprofen and Aspirin about 3-5 days prior
· Avoid taking supplements such as Gingko Biloba, Ginseng, Vitamin E and Omega-3 fatty acids about 3-5 days prior
· Avoid consuming alcohol 24 hours prior to treatment
POST-CARE
· Avoid vigorous exercise for 12 hours after treatment however light walking is encouraged
· Avoid direct sun exposure including tanning beds
· Avoid hot temperatures including sitting in saunas, hot yoga, hot tubs and taking hot showers
· Avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen, or other anti-inflammatory drugs for at least 48 hours
· To enhance your results, we recommend wearing compression socks to improve blood circulation