Are you starting to notice varicose veins or spider veins on your legs or face? These veins may be a new development, or you may have had them for a long time. Either way, sclerotherapy is a good option to consider when looking into how to get rid of varicose and spider veins. Below we will provide more information about what this treatment entails, as well as who makes a good candidate.
Consider us here at Commonwealth Vein Center for all your vein treatment needs. We offer minimally invasive treatments like sclerotherapy to help you look and feel your best with as little downtime as possible. Visit our practice in Colonial Heights to learn more about the treatments we offer. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!
Varicose Veins and Spider Veins
These veins are similar in the sense that they are visible through the skin, but that’s where the similarity ends. Varicose veins characteristics include:
- Ropey, swollen, bulging
- Blue or purple in color
- Itchy, painful, sore
- Appear on the legs
- Spider veins characteristics include:
- Flat against the skin in a spider-web pattern
- Red or blue in color
- No discomfort or itchiness
- Appear on the legs and face
Spider veins are also typically much smaller, while varicose veins can extend down the length of the leg. Women are more likely to develop these problem veins than men, due to factors such as hormones, pregnancy, and oral birth control.
What is Sclerotherapy?
Vein Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment that uses a special solution to irritate the veins. This causes them to close up, and the blood flow is rerouted into healthy veins. Once the problem veins have closed, they turn into scar tissue and fade away. Sclerotherapy takes care of the aesthetic side of varicose veins and spider veins as well as any physical symptoms like itchiness or aching.
Compression garments are recommended after Vein Sclerotherapy treatment in order to facilitate better blood flow, which allows the veins to close faster. The patient will also be advised to walk around after the treatment to help the solution travel throughout the vein.
Some patients may need multiple treatments in order to achieve the desired results. Sclerotherapy only treats the problem veins, it is not able to prevent new veins from forming later on. Keeping up on an active lifestyle and other healthy choices can help you from developing new varicose or spider veins in the future.
Contact Us
At Commonwealth Vein Center in Colonial Heights, we are experts on veins and vein care. If sclerotherapy is the right treatment for you, we can discuss the next steps to take. If we determine that you may not be the right candidate, we have many other vein treatment options to choose from. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!
