Sclerotherapy

Are you tired of covering up your legs to hide red, blue, or purple spider veins? These small, damaged veins won’t go away without treatment; over time, you may develop more of them. Your board-certified dermatologists at Capital Laser & Skin Care use sclerotherapy to target unsightly spider veins, fading their appearance and restoring your confidence.

Sclerotherapy is one of the most effective treatments for spider veins. It has the advantage of minimal downtime and results in as little as one treatment. It’s usually the first treatment recommended for spider veins on the legs. Treated veins fade over time to leave your skin clear and even.

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Effective

  • Considered the “gold standard” treatment for spider veins on the legs
  • Permanently removes unwanted veins

Convenient

  • Easy injectable treatment
  • 15-30 minute procedure
  • Results in 1 month

Safe

  • Little to no downtime
  • Does not affect circulation
  • Most people are candidates

Learn More About Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive, injectable spider vein treatment. Spider veins are stretched, damaged veins that form under the skin, and once they have become stretched, they won’t go back to normal. Sclerotherapy treats spider veins by injecting them with a solution that damages the inside of the problem vein, causing it to collapse. 

Your body has many other veins that can take over the job of this closed vein, so sclerotherapy is safe and will not affect your circulation. Since the treated vein no longer has blood flowing through it, it will lose its pigmentation and be cleared away by the body over the next few months. Sclerotherapy is often considered the “gold standard” treatment for spider veins on the legs, including hard-to-treat clusters of problem veins.

Your Capital Laser & Skin Care dermatologist will cleanse the skin over the problem vein before treatment, then use a small needle to inject the sclerotherapy solution directly inside the vein. People report little discomfort but occasional tingling, itching, or other sensations as the solution is injected. 

The length of your session depends on how many veins you have treated. Injecting a single vein can take as little as 15 minutes, while most sessions will not last more than an hour. Your dermatologist will inject the veins at strategic points where closing them will be most effective. 

Having sclerotherapy performed by a board-certified dermatologist helps you avoid side effects such as discomfort from the solution escaping from the vein. Our experts in sclerotherapy ensure a safe, effective session.

While some spider veins may resolve with a single treatment, most people will require two or more sessions to achieve their desired results. You will notice your treated veins start fading after two or three weeks. Sclerotherapy sessions are usually spaced six weeks apart so your dermatologist can determine whether additional treatments are needed. 

Full sclerotherapy results can take six months or longer as your body clears away the remnants of the treated veins. The appearance will be significantly reduced within a month or two. Spider veins treated with sclerotherapy won’t return, but your body can form new spider veins over time. You can reduce your risk by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and avoiding long periods of sitting or standing, but causes such as genetics are beyond your control.

You can leave your sclerotherapy appointment and go back to work or other activities. We recommend limiting strenuous activities for 48 hours after treatment. You may notice that the injected veins swell and look bruised for two to three weeks. Your dermatologist will provide compression stockings to help collapse the treated veins and redirect blood flow. 

Wear sunscreen and avoid sun exposure in the treated area until it has healed. The area will be sun-sensitive for several weeks after treatment. Follow any other instructions provided by your dermatologist. Most people have fully healed within a few weeks, although the veins will take longer to fade.

Most healthy adults with spider veins are good candidates for sclerotherapy. Candidates should have reasonable expectations and understand the procedure’s risks and benefits. Sclerotherapy is appropriate for most spider veins on the legs, including those too large to be treated with lasers. 

Some people may have bleeding, clotting, or other health problems that affect whether they are candidates for sclerotherapy. Your dermatologist will discuss your medical history to determine whether this procedure will be safe and effective for you.

Take the First Step

Interested in learning more about our sclerotherapy? We would love to speak with you. Please fill out the form on this page to request a consultation or call our Chevy Chase, MD office today at (301) 798-9699 to schedule your private consultation at our laser and cosmetic dermatology center, located just blocks away from Washington, D.C.

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