Contrary to what you may have heard, there is no at-home treatment for vein issues, such as spider veins and varicose veins. The only way to remove any unsightly and potentially uncomfortable veins is to seek a professional vein specialist.
When you meet with a vein specialist, you'll likely learn about the myriad of treatments and procedures that can be administered to successfully treat vein issues, and one of the most popular of these is sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy is ideal for treating small and medium-sized spider veins and varicose veins and is known for being minimally invasive, relatively painless and highly effective. In this post, we'll discuss how sclerotherapy works, why it's so effective and more. Read on to learn about this popular treatment option.
As we noted, sclerotherapy is one of the most effective and easiest ways to treat small to medium-sized spider veins and varicose veins. In this section, we'll take a closer look at how the minimally invasive procedure works. Here's a look:
Typically, the only thing that patients feel when sclerotherapy is administered is the slight pinch or sting of a needle as the doctor is injecting either the chemical or foam solution into the vein. It's a procedure that is administered without anesthesia and generally rather painless. However, your level of discomfort during the procedure will depend on how many injections are being administered. For instance, those with small spider veins or varicose veins may only need one or two injections into the vein. Those with larger veins may need more injections. The needle used is often very fine and thin.
Patients are able to resume normal activities immediately following the procedure, though doctors do advise avoiding any strenuous activity for a couple of weeks. You'll like also be required to wear compression stockings until at least your first post-op appointment.
It's also worth noting that following the procedure, bruising and swelling in the treated areas of the legs is a common side effect. However, these — and any other side effects — typically subside in as little as a few days. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also help relieve post-op swelling or discomfort.
Will sclerotherapy remove spider veins? Yes, it's a permanent fix for any existing spider veins, however, it's important to reinforce a few points. One, depending on the size of the veins being treated and how your body reacts to the injections, you may need more injections to completely remove existing veins. And two, just because sclerotherapy is able to successfully remove any existing veins does not mean that more spider veins won't develop in the future. It's why it's important to enact some lifestyle changes, such as eating right and exercising more, to prevent future veins from forming.
Contact us today to meet Dr. Ives in Anchorage, AK, and to view our varicose vein treatment options. As leading vein specialists, we'll carefully assess your situation and advise the best way to treat your veins, which may include sclerotherapy. Contact us today for more information.