Spider veins on the legs and thighs make many people feel self-conscious about wearing shorts or even looking in the mirror. Often purple or red, these small veins have stopped working, and at Capital Laser & Skin Care, we use sclerotherapy to treat and remove these spider veins with no surgery.
*Individuals Results May Vary
What is Sclerotherapy?
When injected into a problem vein, sclerotherapy stops blood from flowing through that vein, redirecting it to healthier veins. While spider veins appear most commonly on the legs and thighs, they can appear in other locations on the body, and we may also be able to treat these with sclerotherapy. This safe and effective treatment has been in use for decades, providing excellent results.
How Does Sclerotherapy Work?
Sclerotherapy treatment injects an irritant called a sclerosing agent into the vein. This irritates the walls of the vein, causing scarring. Over time, this scarring will cause the walls of the vein to collapse. With the vein no longer transporting blood, the body will begin breaking it down and removing it. The red or purple color should start to fade, and the appearance of the treated area will become more even and smooth-looking.
How Long Does Sclerotherapy Take to Work?
Some improvement can be seen immediately upon treatment. For small spider veins, results may start to become evident within three to six weeks. For a larger vein, the body needs more time to clear it away, so you may need several months to see a significant fading of the vein. Some people have multiple veins treated at the same time, and these may even fade at a different rate. If you do not see results the first time, another treatment often completes the process.
Is There Any Downtime for Sclerotherapy?
You may experience some bruising and skin irritation in the area of the injection for a few days. You may use Tylenol as needed, but we recommend that you do not use medications like aspirin or other over-the-counter pain medications, as these can affect bleeding.
You will have a compression garment to wear for as long as your provider instructs, which will help the vein to collapse. We will also recommend that you walk around regularly and do not spend too much time sitting still.
Am I a Good Candidate For Sclerotherapy?
The best candidates for sclerotherapy have spider veins on the legs, thighs, or other areas of the body, including the face. Your Capital Laser & Skin Care provider will meet with you for a consultation and discuss your medical history and your treatment options. Most people with spider veins can try sclerotherapy as an option.
I was very happy with the service at capital laser and skin care for cool sculpting on my arms. All the staff is very professional and made my treatment comfortable. The results from the first treatment motivated me to lose more weight and lead a healthier lifestyle. It almost felt like a spa day, highly recommended.
Take the Next Step
Interested in learning more about Sclerotherapy? We would love to speak with you. Please fill out the form on this page to request a consultation or call our Chevy Chase, MD office today at (301) 798-9699 to schedule your private consultation at our laser and cosmetic dermatology center, located just blocks away from Washington, D.C.
