Spider veins are those “web-like” clusters of veins that are visible just beneath the skin of the face and legs. Although they aren’t harmful to your health, they are unsightly and can cause discomfort. Sclerotherapy offers a solution to spider veins, and there are many benefits to this procedure.
9 things you should know about sclerotherapy:
1. It is quick. It typically takes less than an hour and is an outpatient procedure.
2. It is minimally invasive. Using a very fine needle, highly concentrated saline or sodium tetradecyl sulfate is injected into the vein. This causes the veins to collapse. Your body reroutes blood to other, healthy veins and in time the old vein tissue is harmlessly absorbed.
3. It can be used to treat veins on the face and hands and for patients with smaller varicose veins. It is not as effective on large varicose veins.
4. You’ll start to see results right away as the vein collapses, and then over the next few weeks the vein will disappear completely.
5. Most patients report very little pain and minimal discomfort. A local anesthesia is used before the treatment begins.
6. More than one treatment session may be needed.
7. You’ll have to wear compression hose for up to 2 weeks when you are awake. These will help your body to absorb the veins that have been treated.
8. Moderate exercise can be done after the procedure, but patients should avoid anything too strenuous for about a week afterwards.
9. After the treatment you may notice some redness, bruising, marks, or raised skin. This is normal and will resolve itself.
Even if you aren’t concerned about the appearance of your spider veins, they can cause discomfort, and they can be an indication of more dangerous health and circulation problems. Consult your doctor about your spider veins, and consider sclerotherapy – a quick, effective procedure to get rid of spider veins and give you the smooth, vein-free legs you want.
Contact the office of Dr. Sammy A. Zakhary in Glendale, Arizona, today to discuss sclerotherapy! Call the office at (623) 258-3255 for an appointment.