While spider veins often don’t have any physical symptoms, they can certainly impact quality of life. The cosmetic changes they cause in the skin can result in a loss of confidence that slowly decreases a patient’s overall well-being with time. Furthermore, spider veins — one sign of chronic venous insufficiency — typically worsen when left untreated.
Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) offers several minimally invasive treatment options for patients who want to improve the appearance of — and sometimes, the symptoms that accompany — their spider veins. However, if you’re considering getting your spider veins treated, it’s important to understand what the various procedures entail, how to prepare, what the aftercare process involves, and the overall pros and cons of spider vein therapy to help you determine whether the process will be worthwhile for your specific treatment goals. Here are some considerations to keep in mind for those contemplating whether spider vein injections are worth exploring.
Before we delve into the pros and cons, let’s discuss the two main types of injections for spider veins. These injections are given during procedures called sclerotherapy, which can be performed either visually or guided by ultrasound technology.
Visual sclerotherapy is exclusively for spider veins. Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy, meanwhile, can also be used for varicose veins and physical symptoms of vein disease. In both procedures, a liquid called a sclerosant is injected into the damaged vessel, causing a reaction that closes the vein for reabsorption into the body.
As we’ve mentioned, visual sclerotherapy comes with a host of worthwhile benefits:
Most sclerotherapy procedures are performed in less than an hour.
Because visual sclerotherapy targets superficial veins close to the surface of the skin, it doesn’t require an ultrasound. This means no imaging equipment is required, enabling the patient’s vein specialist to perform the procedure visually.
Getting ready for your sclerotherapy procedure requires very few steps. Patients should stop taking certain medications for 48 to 72 hours beforehand. In addition, they should avoid applying lotion prior to the procedure.
After a sclerotherapy procedure, patients can drive themselves home and get back to their daily routine. According to WebMD, certain medications, hot baths and compresses, whirlpools, saunas, and direct sunlight exposure should be avoided for another 48 hours. When showering, keep the water temperature a bit cooler than normal for good measure and wash the injection site with mild soap.
Undergoing a visual sclerotherapy procedure has some of what many people consider drawbacks, as well. While they’re certainly resolvable, it’s important to be aware of what to expect in terms of potential disadvantages:
Most medications and medical procedures come with the possibility of side effects, and visual sclerotherapy is no exception. According to the Mayo Clinic, some patients report uncomfortable sensations after a sclerotherapy session, such as bruising, itching, small skin sores, inflammation, and darkened skin around the treated area. However, these effects are usually temporary and will fade in a matter of days or weeks following the procedure.
While rare, sclerotherapy can sometimes cause complications that don’t fade away naturally and instead require additional treatment. For example, tiny air bubbles may rise in the bloodstream and cause headaches, nausea, fainting, and visualization of light flashes. If your symptoms include trouble feeling your arms or legs after your treatment, it’s time to contact your healthcare provider.
Visual sclerotherapy is considered a cosmetic procedure, which means it usually won’t be covered by your medical insurance. This means you may be required to pay for your procedure out-of-pocket.
Fortunately, CVR offers these spider vein treatments at 50 to 70 percent less than competitors, with a high priority on improving our patients’ overall well-being. Keeping this in mind, insurance — or lack thereof — doesn’t have to be a primary factor in determining the final value your vein care procedure may provide.
Now that we’ve discussed the basic benefits and drawbacks of visual sclerotherapy, let’s address ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy. Remember, this procedure is also used to address varicose veins, which are deeper than spider veins and are often accompanied by uncomfortable symptoms like cramping, itching, and bulging. Benefits of this treatment include:
Despite using ultrasound technology, this procedure isn’t “surgery” and is performed as an outpatient. It is minimally invasive and doesn’t require the patient to be anesthetized.
In terms of versatility, ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy is ideal. It’s well-suited as a cosmetic option for spider veins further from the surface of the skin. Still, it’s also highly effective to remove the irritating symptoms of varicose veins and other symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency.
Similar to visual sclerotherapy, this procedure takes an hour or less, even though it requires ultrasound technology.
A study by the National Library of Medicine found that ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy has demonstrated an “excellent safety profile” comparable with or superior to other treatment methods.
Since ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy is often used to address physical symptoms, the patient’s medical insurance may cover it.
Just like visual sclerotherapy, ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy also has potential drawbacks to consider, such as:
Like most medical procedures, ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy isn’t suitable for everyone. Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, for example, should avoid the procedure. Due to health risks, patients with active deep vein thrombosis or a blood clot are also ineligible. Bedridden patients aren’t well-suited for this type of vein treatment, either.
While minimal, ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy often causes pain around the injection site for a brief time during the procedure itself. However, this is true with most medical procedures involving injections, and the discomfort will usually fade away a short time after the treatment is finished when aftercare guidelines are followed.
Before determining whether or not spider vein injections may be worth exploring, consider this: while both spider and varicose veins are often painless and don’t cause further complications, they’re a particular problem for women. According to the Office on Women’s Health, spider veins may affect more than half of women, with varicose veins affecting nearly twice as many women as men. Both spider and varicose veins are also more common in older women, and the hormones that come with pregnancy add another risk factor for women, as well.
It’s up to you to decide. Whether you’re uncomfortable with how your spider veins make you look or experiencing painful symptoms like cramping, itching, soreness, and inflammation, the board-certified physicians at CVR are here to help you make a decision you can be proud of.
Let CVR help you on your journey to achieving the physical and emotional well-being you deserve. Call our hotline today to schedule an appointment and explore your treatment options at 240-512-4945. You can also schedule ONLINE.
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