Sclerotherapy

No one is totally sure, but certain families, particularly the female relatives, can seem predisposed to them. Also, mechanical trauma, such as: falls, blows, and long periods of standing or sitting contribute to this problem. Pregnancy and hormones may also play a role.

Some authorities feel the use of the support hose is helpful, but does not prevent them entirely. Reducing your weight also seems to help. Exercise may also help, but there is some evidence that long distance running may accentuate the development in susceptible individuals, especially around the feet and ankles.

• Itching, stinging, or pain may occur briefly at the injection site during injection
• Muscle cramps may occur during injection and usually subside in 10–15 minutes.
• Hives may result at injection sites and usually resolve in 1 day.
• Occasionally, when the vessels are very weak, bruising can result and can last anywhere from 2 weeks to several years. Telangiectatic matting results when tiny new vessels form at sites of injection. This can look like a red ‘slapped’ area, or like a bruise.
• Blisters may occur when a small amount of solution seeps into the skin. They usually heal quickly, but occasionally pigmentation can persist indefinitely. This pigmentation can usually be easily treated.
• Rarely, a clot may develop at the injection site. These small clots do not cause any internal problems, because the veins treated are superficial, not deep in the leg muscles. Removal within 2 weeks of the injection will speed up the healing process.
• Swelling is unusual but in rare cases can be severe. It is particularly common when patients have jobs that require standing for long periods of time, which causes vessels in the ankles and lower legs to be involved. The swelling is not dangerous, but occasionally must be treated with elevation and compression dressings.
• Superficial thrombophlebitis is an irritation of the vessels closest to the skin. It sometimes must be treated with an anti-inflammatory and bed rest. This probably occurs in less than 1 case per every 1000 cases.
• Scarring has been a very rare occurrence but ulceration at an injection site can occur with resulting scarring.

Usually, the vessels disappear over a period of 2 weeks–2 months. Recurrences can take place over a period of 1–5 years. This treatment DOES NOT prevent new telangiectasia from developing.

Generally, the larger the vessel, the more difficult it is to eradicate. The blue vessels, which are very small varicose veins, can also be treated. These require frequent injections with tiny amounts of solution plus compression dressings for maximum effect. Some of the extremely small vessels (less than 1/2000 of a millimeter) must be treated with electrodessication (electrocautery) or occasionally with the vascular laser.

Yes. They are the kind of vessels which occur in a mat a slapped cheek appearance; very fine radiating vessels. These vessels may require a laser for clearance.

The cost if the procedure (Sclerotherapy) is related to the amount of time spent treating the area. It varies greatly from a few to a great deal. The longer the session, the greater the cost. We charge $250 per 20 minute session. Sclerotherapy is generally considered a cosmetic procedure, and is NOT covered by insurance.

The pressure dressings should be worn overnight. Strenuous physical activity or prolonged periods of standing should be avoided for the first 24 hours, but walking is encouraged. Support hose should be worn during the first 3–7 days after treatment.

We prefer to inject the same area after a few weeks of healing. Different sites can be injected every week.

This varies with the number of areas that have to be injected as well as the response to each injection. Optimal results usually require 2–4 treatment sessions. The goal is to produce a 70-80% improvement with multiple treatments. Although some people achieve almost complete resolution, 100% clearing does not occur after just 1 treatment, and may not occur even after several treatments. There is no guarantee that your spider veins will improve or disappear. Also, sclerotherapy treatments do not turn off your genetic tendency to continue to grow new blood vessels over the years, so maintenance treatments are usually necessary as new vessels develop.

Electrodessication uses small electric currents applied to the vessel using tiny needles. It is useful for facial vessels, for vessels that do not respond to Sclerotherapy, or for people whose vessels are too small to be treated by Sclerotherapy. The laser is an option for matted vessels or for people who do not tolerate Sclerotherapy.