Millions of men and women can be bothered by spider veins - small yet unsightly clusters of red, blue or purple veins that most commonly appear on the face, thighs, calves and ankles. In fact, it's estimated that at least half of the adult female population is affected with this common cosmetic problem. Today, many plastic surgeons and specialist practitioners are treating spider veins with Sclerotherapy. In this simple procedure, veins are injected with a special solution which causes veins to collapse and fade from view.
A number of factors contribute to the development of spider veins, including heredity factors, pregnancy and other events that cause hormonal shifts, weight gain. Occupations or activities that require prolonged exposure to environmentals elements or prolonged sitting and standing can also exacerbate the problem.
The number of treatments required to achieve a successful result will depend on the severity and long standing nature of the problem area. If more than one treatment is required (which is typical), treated spider veins will appear lighter after each treatment. Patients should be aware that the procedure treats only those veins that are currently visible; it does nothing to permanently alter the venous system or prevent new veins from surfacing in the future.
Sclerotherapy of spider veins is a relatively simple procedure and does not require any anesthesia. This treatment is performed in an out patient setting. The needle used to administer the sclerotherapy solution is so thin and the sclerosing solution is so mild, that any pain is usually very minimal. However, patients typically report that a mild burning sensation is experienced during and just after each treatment session.
