Sclerotherapy
As we age, our legs can become mapped with spider and reticular veins, small broken blood vessels and red, purple, or blue veins that show through the skin. These veins can be the result of heredity, an occupation that required much standing, weight, hormones, or other medical conditions.
It is estimated 30 to 60 percent of adults will develop these types of varicose veins, and they are more prevalent in women than in men. While they aren’t generally painful or a health hazard, many people are self-conscious how these leg veins look in certain clothing.
Sclerotherapy was developed in the 1930s for treating these unwanted vessels with good success– most patients report a 50 to 90 percent improvement with treatment. It consists of injections of a sclerosing solution into the vein with a very fine needle. The solution causes the targeted vein to become irritated and close up on itself. Then, over a period of several weeks, it dissolves and is absorbed by the body, eventually fading or disappearing completely.
A number of sclerosing agents exist, including everything from specially formulated saline to foam solutions, like Asclera™.
Each sclerotherapy session is performed as outpatient care, and typically takes about ten minutes. Wearing compression hose for a week or two after treatment will ensure best results. Follow-up may be required for stubborn spider veins or small varicose veins.
Contact Sanova Dermatology
Stop hiding your legs under slacks and long pants. Wear those skirts and shorts. You and your legs still have a lot of ground to cover. Contact Sanova Dermatology today.