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What causes Spider Veins?
The cause of spider veins is not completely known. Spider veins appear in both men and women, but more frequently in women. Genetics and female hormones may play a role in their development. Puberty, birth control pills, pregnancy, or hormone replacement therapy may also contribute. They may also appear after an injury or trauma to a particular area.
How is Sclerotherapy Performed?
In most cases, a concentrated saline solution is injected through a very fine needle directly into the vein. At this point, you may experience mild discomfort and cramping for one to two minutes, especially when larger veins are injected. The procedure itself takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes. The number of veins injected in one session varies, and depends on the size and location of the veins. Many times when one larger vessel is injected it takes care of other smaller, surrounding vessels.
Pre-Treatment instructions:
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Try to avoid aspirin, or other anti-inflammatory medications, for 1 week before treatment unless you are taking it for a heart condition.
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Bring shorts or a bathing suit to wear during the procedure.
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Eat a light breakfast or lunch an hour or so prior to your appointment.
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Do not put creams or lotions on your legs the day of treatment.
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Do not shave your legs the day of your appointment.
Post-treatment you will be able to drive yourself home and resume your regular daily activities. Walking is encouraged. Compression stockings must be worn up to 2 weeks after your treatment to ensure optimal results. If you have compression hosiery from previous treatments, you may use them again.
You should avoid the following for 48 hours after treatment:
Showers are permitted, but the water should be cooler than usual. The injection sites may be washed with a mild soap and tepid water.
Are there side effects?
You may experience certain side effects after sclerotherapy. There are milder effects, such as itching, which can last for one or two days after the procedure. Also, you may experience raised, red areas at the injection site. These should disappear within a few days. Bruising may also occur around the injection side and can last several days or weeks.
Studies have shown that as many as 50%-80% of injected veins may be eliminated with each session of sclerotherapy. Less than 10% of the people who have sclerotherapy do not respond to the injections at all.
In general, spider veins respond in three to six weeks, and larger veins respond in three to four months. If the veins respond to the treatment, they will not reappear. However, new veins may appear at the same rate as before. Many of our patients schedule periodic touch-ups after their initial treatment in order to keep spider veins to a minimum.
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