• Home
• Blog
• Vein Treatment
• Sclerotherapy gets rid of your unwanted superficial veins

Sclerotherapy gets rid of your unwanted superficial veins

This is a great time to get rid of your spider veins in time for shorts, and skirt weather! Spider veins are enlarged superficial veins that appear as red/ purple clusters on the legs. They can occur for a variety of reasons including pregnancy, heredity or trauma. Sclerotherapy is an excellent, non-surgical way to eliminate these unwanted superficial veins. Through a tiny needle, a solution (we, at SkinCare Physicians, typically use either polidocanol or glycerin) causes these blood vessels to collapse and close. It is a safe and simple procedure done right in our office.

Here are some things to keep in mind when you are considering sclerotherapy:

• Wear compression hose for at least 3-5 days after treatment.
• Wear loose fitting pants or a long skirt on the day of the procedure since cotton balls are applied on the areas that have been treated.
• Bruises may appear after the procedure, but they resolve within 2 weeks.
• Depending on the size and appearance of the spider veins, you may need several treatments for best results.
• Taking nice, long walks is encouraged, but you should avoid exercise for 5 days after treatment.

In addition to small spider veins, many enlarged blue veins can be treated with sclerotherapy depending on their size and location. Thick, ropey hand veins and enlarged veins on the chest (especially after breast augmentation) respond very well to sclerotherapy.

Sclerotherapy is the gold standard treatment for spider veins. However, for patients who are needle-phobic or for those who have very tiny spider veins, lasers can be used.  These include the pulsed dye laser, KTP laser or the Nd:YAG laser.

So if you are thinking about treating your veins, whether on your legs, hands or chest, don’t wait until the summer. Now is a terrific time to start. Call our office at (617) 731-1600, or contact us online, to book a consultation with one of Skincare Physicians’ specialists who can advise you on the most appropriate treatment for your condition.

Learn more about vein treatments.

One Response to Sclerotherapy gets rid of your unwanted superficial veins

• Benenden Hospital says:

  April 3, 2013 at 11:15 am

  It’s important to mention that, even if the worst comes to the worst and you need surgery, medical advancements have made treatments on areas such as this routine procedures, often without requiring an overnight stay. so there’s no reason to be nervous or apprehensive. You’re in good hands.

  Reply