Spider veins are thin and spindly veins that appear near the surface of your skin. These veins are damaged blood vessels that are more common in women and as we age.
Thankfully, spider veins are usually harmless and have no symptoms.
However, their appearance can be frustrating or distressing to some. Sclerotherapy is a quick and effective treatment for permanently getting rid of spider veins.
Understanding Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is a tried and true method for getting rid of spider veins and has been in use for well over a hundred years. Our office at LA Vein Center performs sclerotherapy by injecting the vein with an FDA-approved sclerosing agent. The sclerosing agent is just a formula that is designed to irritate the walls of the spider vein.
The irritation from the sclerosing formula will cause the spider vein to collapse. This will close off any additional blood flow to this damaged vein. Blood will then be redirected naturally to healthy veins. The appearance of the spider vein will immediately improve after the vein has collapsed.
However, the spider vein won’t fully disappear until after some time has passed and the vein is fully metabolized by the body. The process is quick, effective, and relatively painless as well.
Afterward, you will wear a compression garment around the treatment area to apply gentle pressure. This is to ensure the collapsed spider veins remain closed off from any blood flow.
Am I a Candidate for Sclerotherapy?
There are very few things that would make you a poor candidate for sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy isn’t performed on women who are pregnant, people with blood clotting issues, people taking blood thinners, and people taking select medications.
Dr. Larisse Lee with the LA Vein Center in the Sherman Oaks area of Los Angeles, CA, will discuss your candidacy as part of the consultation regarding your spider vein treatment.
Dr. Lee is an award-winning vascular and general surgeon who provides expert care and compassion-driven results. If you’re considering sclerotherapy for your spider veins, contact the LA Vein Center at (818) 325-0400 to schedule an appointment.