Beautiful female legs and body. Isolated over white.
Spider veins appear as web-like clusters that are red, purple, or blue. They are most common on the face, thighs, calves, and ankles but can appear anywhere on the body. They are a result of damaged veins or burst blood vessels and are typically painless. Some people do choose to have treatment for cosmetic reasons.
Sclerotherapy and Laser Vein Therapy are two effective treatment options offered at our clinic. Both offer minimal healing time and are physician-administered. No anesthesia is needed and treatments are safe for individuals who are generally in good health and want to reduce the visual appearance of spider veins.
Sclerotherapy Procedure
Sclerotherapy involves the injection of a medicated solution into the targeted vein using a tiny needle. The solution works to displace the blood, making the vein immediately appear lighter. The solution will also “agitate” the lining of the spider vein causing it to eventually collapse and become less visible.
Sclerotherapy works best on veins that are larger than the typical tiny spider vein and takes about half an hour. There is little to no discomfort associated with the procedure. Generally, patients may experience a mild burning sensation as the medication is injected into the vein, although this only lasts a few seconds.
Recovery After Sclerotherapy
During the first 48 hours, a support hose will be needed to help the treated vein stay closed as it is absorbed. Since heat encourages blood flow, it is recommended that hot baths and hot spas, such as whirlpools and saunas, be avoided during the healing time. Your treating physician will discuss additional details about what you can expect after treatment.
The full benefits of Sclerotherapy will be noticed within three to four weeks. While some areas will only require one Sclerotherapy treatment, others may need a repeat procedure for optimal results.
Laser Vein Therapy
Laser Vein Therapy is a treatment option that uses pulses of concentrated light to coagulate the blood within the affected vein using a small, handheld laser. The fast, intense pulses of laser light that are emitted toward the targeted vein decrease its function since the laser disrupts blood flow. As the body begins to absorb the blood and veins over the following few weeks, the optimal results will begin to show
Laser Vein Therapy will take approximately 15 to 30 minutes. The feeling can be described as a light pinch during treatment. Spider veins on the face and chest respond well to this treatment.
Recovery After Laser Vein Therapy
Patients typically feel well enough to resume normal activity the same afternoon following treatment, although intense exercise should be avoided for three to five days afterward. Excess exposure to the sun should be avoided for several weeks following treatment.
Patients with large treatment areas may be required to wear support hose during the healing time. Two to three sessions spaced a few weeks apart could be required for maximum results depending on the affected area.
Spider Vein Treatment Options in Richmond, Virginia
All of our procedures are physician-administered. We want our patients to be informed and comfortable during all their visits with us. During your initial consultation, your individual body goals and areas of concern will be discussed and the physician will recommend the best treatment for you and answer any questions during your consultation. Call us at (804) 290-0060 or request a consultation online to get started.