Sclerotherapy

Treatment for leg Veins

Spider veins, referred to as telangectasias, are red and purple bleed vessels that occur in patches on the legs. The network of vessels is often as delicated as a spider’s web, which is how they get their name. They can also resemble tiny sunbursts, branching trees or may be distributed in a linear fashion on the surface of the skin. They may run up and down the legs resembling lies on a road map or can fan out along the outside of the thigh, inside the lower leg, around the ankles or behind the knees.

Spider veins are especially common and bothersome to women from a cosmetic point of view. Luckily, spider veins are among the easiest to eliminate.

Reticular veins are deeper, darker veins that form bluish networks across the thighs and lower legs. While spider veins are often harmless, reticular veins are usually the source of spider veins and can cause pain. Treating failing reticular veins can prevent new spider veins from developing.

Varicose and spider veins will not get better on their own, and usually get worse over time.

Who does it affect?

Varicose and spider veins are a very common problem for both men and women. According to the US Dept of Health Services, nearly 50-55% of women and 40-45% of men in the U.S. suffer from some type of vein problem. Varicose veins affect half of people 50 years and older and many people see treatment for both medical and cosmetic reasons.

What causes varicose veins?

• Heredity is the leading cause
• Pregnancy
• Trauma
• Job that require long periods of standing or sitting

Sclerotherapy

At Precision Dermatology, we provide a procedure called Sclerotherapy to treat these problems. Sclerotherapy has been used for many years as a treatment for reducing the visibility of varicose and spider veins. It is non-invasive and highly effective.

Sclerotherapy is the injection of a sclerosing agent into the vein(s). A very small needle is used to inject the medication, called Asclera, into the vein. This product damages the interior lining of the vein wall, causing it to swell and seal shut. The collapsed veins will then be dissolved and reabsorbed by the body.

Patients will usually have some bruising for about a week after treatment and may have some minor aching in the treated leg for 24-48 hours after treatment.

All treatment is done in the office and causes minimal discomfort for the patient. Because treatments are minimally invasive, patients are able to drive, return to work and resume most of their normal activities the same day or the day after treatment.

The injections will be done by our RN Nurse Injectionist who has been trained in this procedure.

The wearing of compression hose is required for a short time after the injection to prevent reperfusion of the veins. Properly fitted gradient compression stockings, thigh high, can be purchased prior to your treatment at many local drug stores including Kerrville Drug Co., CVS, Walgreens.

Repeat or multiple treatments may be required for complete resolution of the problematic areas.

What to expect at your consultation

We will discuss which areas you want to treat, and which are the most bothersome to you aesthetically and physically. We will review your medical history including current medications. An assessment of the areas will be done including what symptoms you are experiencing at the site(s) and a decision will be made if sclerotherapy is the right treatment for you.

You will be given pre and post instructions and scheduled for your procedure to be done in the future. This allows you time to obtain your compression hose which will need to be applied immediately after treatment.