Sclerotherapy Treatment for Spider Veins

What Veins can be Treated with Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy treats telangiectasias, the fine red blood vessels visible at the surface of the skin that are commonly referred to as “spider veins“. These are most frequently found on the legs but can also occur on the arms and chest. A healthy vein contains functional valves to allow blood to return upwards to the heart. A malfunctioning valve leads to backflow of blood, causing it to pool and result in the non-functional, dead-end spider veins seen at the skin’s surface.

How Sclerotherapy Works

The substance that is injected is called a sclerosing agent and is essentially a solution of saline and dextrose (sugar). This solution irritates the lining of the vein, leading to localized inflammation which causes the vein to swell, blocking blood flow to that vessel. This vessel then forms a fibrotic tissue which will be absorbed by the body, allowing for fading and vanishing of the vessel.

Consultation

Each patient’s journey with sclerotherapy will differ, and a consultation can help give you an idea of what your individual treatment will look like. Depending on your concerns, including the number of veins and their relative size, the number of treatments you require and how long until you see results may vary. Our nurse practitioner at Yazdani Aesthetics will review if you are a candidate for treatment, and give you a better idea of what will be involved with your sclerotherapy journey.