Varicose Vein Doctors of Orange California
for the Advanced Treatment of Varicose Veins
Sclerotherapy
for Spider Veins | Newport Beach Clinic
What Are the Most Effective Treatments for Spider Veins? LASER | Sclerotherapy
Planning
your treatment
During your initial consultation, your legs will be examined. Your doctor may
draw a simple sketch of your legs, mapping out the areas affected by spider
veins or other problems. During the examination, you will be checked for signs
of more serious "deep vein" problems, often indicated by swelling, sores, or
skin changes at the ankle. A hand-held Doppler ultrasound device is sometimes
used to detect any backflow within the venous system.
If such problems are identified, your surgeon may refer you to a different
specialist for further evaluation. Problems with the larger veins must be
treated first, or sclerotherapy of the surface veins will be unsuccessful.
Your doctor will ask you about any other problems you may have with your
legs, such as pain, aching, itching or tenderness. You will also be asked
about your medical history, medications you take, or conditions that would
preclude you from having treatment. Individuals with hepatitis, AIDS or other
blood-borne diseases may not be candidates for sclerotherapy. Patients with
circulatory problems, heart conditions, or diabetes may also be advised
against treatment.
It's important to be open in discussing your history and treatment goals with
your doctor. Don't hesitate to ask any questions or express any concerns you
may have. Your doctor should explain the procedure in detail, along with its
risks and benefits, the recovery period and the costs. (Medical insurance
usually doesn't cover cosmetic procedures.)
Preparing for the procedure
ou will receive specific instructions from your physician on how to prepare
for your treatment. Carefully following these instructions will help the
procedure go more smoothly.
You'll be instructed not to apply any type of moisturizer, sunblock or oil to
your legs on the day of your procedure. You may want to bring shorts to wear
during the injections, as well as your physician-prescribed support hose, and
slacks to wear home.
When scheduling your procedure, keep in mind that your legs may be bruised or
slightly discolored for some weeks afterward. You probably won't be
comfortable wearing shorts, a swimsuit or a mini skirt until after your legs
have cleared up a bit.
Where your treatment will be performed
Sclerotherapy of spider veins is a relatively simple procedure that requires
no anesthesia, so it will be performed in an outpatient setting, most likely
in our office.
The procedure
A typical sclerotherapy session is relatively quick, lasting only about 30
minutes. After changing into shorts, your legs may be photographed for your
medical records. You will be asked to lie down on the examination table and
the skin over your spider veins will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution.
Using one hand to stretch the skin taut, your doctor or nurse will begin
injecting the sclerosing agent into the affected veins. Bright, indirect light
and magnification help ensure that the process is completed with maximum
precision. We use a polarized halogen light with magnification to better
visualize the veins.
Approximately one injection is administered for every inch of spider vein -
anywhere from five to 40 injections per treatment session. A cotton ball and
compression tape may be applied to certain areas of the leg as it is
finished.
During the procedure, you may listen to music, read, or just talk to your
practitioner. You will be asked to shift positions a few times during the
process. As the procedure continues, you will feel small needle sticks and
possibly a mild burning sensation. However, the needle used is so thin and the
sclerosing solution is so mild that pain is usually minimal.
After your treatment
In addition to the compression tape applied during the procedure,
tight-fitting support hose may be prescribed to guard against blood clots and
to promote healing. The tape and cotton balls can be removed after 48 hours.
However, you may be instructed to wear the support hose for 72 hours or more.
It's not uncommon to experience some cramping in the legs for the first day
or two after the injections. This temporary problem usually doesn't require
medication.
You should be aware that your treated veins will look worse before they begin
to look better. When the compression dressings are removed, you will notice
bruising and reddish areas at the injection sites. The bruises will diminish
within one month. In many cases, there may be some residual brownish
pigmentation which may take up to a year to completely fade. One
month after the first treatment, spider veins are distinctly lighter, yet
still somewhat visible.
Getting back to normal
Although you probably won't want to wear any leg-baring fashions for about
two weeks, your activity will not be significantly limited in any other way
from sclerotherapy treatment.
You will be encouraged to walk to prevent clots from forming in the deep
veins of the legs. However, during the period of time to complete your
treatment program, prolonged sitting and standing should be avoided, as should
squatting, heavy weight lifting and "pounding" type exercises, including
jogging.
A one-month healing interval must pass before you may have your second series
of injections in the same site. After each treatment, you will notice further
improvement of your legs' appearance.
Your new look
Most patients are pleased with the difference sclerotherapy makes. The skin
of your legs will appear younger, clearer and more healthy-looking. If you've
been wearing long skirts and slacks to hide your spider veins, you'll now be
able to broaden your fashion horizons. Often, patients are surprised at the
dramatic difference in appearance between a treated leg and an untreated one.
Although sclerotherapy will obliterate the noticeable veins for good, it's
important to remember that treatment will not prevent new spider veins from
emerging in the future. As time passes, you may find that you need "touch-ups"
or full treatments for new veins that surface. But even if you choose not to
have further sclerotherapy, your legs will look better than if you never had
treatment at all.