Spider and varicose veins may be keeping you from wearing your outfit of choice confidently. Luckily, there are professional treatments available that can diminish the appearance of those veins. Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive medical procedure that can help you gain back your confidence while avoiding adverse symptoms. At MD Vein and Skin Specialists in Columbia, Maryland, Clement Banda, MD, is an expert in treating veins with the help of ultrasound in a procedure called ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy.
Sclerotherapy is a treatment we use to eliminate varicose veins and the appearance of spider veins. It involves injecting a solution into the vein that irritates the lining of the blood vessel, causing it to collapse.
The blood in your vein clots and eventually turns into scar tissue, fading from view and then is reabsorbed by the surrounding tissue. Many of our patients choose this procedure for cosmetic purposes, but it also improves symptoms such as aching, swelling, or leg cramps.
Sclerotherapy is the most common treatment for erasing unsightly veins. Here’s why.
Most patients are generally satisfied with their results from sclerotherapy with as many as 50-80% of injected veins disappearing in a single treatment. You leave the procedure with legs that are soon smooth and healthy-looking. If you've avoided that summer dress or your favorite pair of shorts because of bulging and/or web-like veins, this treatment can provide a permanent solution.
Although sclerotherapy has been successful for most patients, there is no guarantee that the treatment will work for everyone. Even so, less than 10% of patients who undergo sclerotherapy don’t respond to injections.
Spider veins typically fade in three to six weeks. Large veins or varicose veins tend to disappear in three to four months. If new unsightly veins appear, you may need to return for additional treatment.
We offer sclerotherapy treatments right in our office, and it takes less than an hour. You will return home the same day, and we encourage walking to prevent the formation of blood clots.
You should avoid strenuous activities for up to two weeks after the procedure. Excessive sun exposure may lead to dark spots around the site of injection. The treatment is safe and does not require the use of anesthesia. It requires no cutting or removal of the skin tissue. Sclerotherapy also has few complications.
Although the procedure was originally mostly used to address cosmetic issues with varicose or spider veins, this is no longer true. Sclerotherapy is also used to treat the underlying pathology that causes the unsightly visible veins in the first place. This underlying pathology can cause pain and discomfort, and thankfully, sclerotherapy can relieve the discomfort that accompanies that underlying condition.
Veins that respond well to treatment don’t reappear. You might need more than one treatment to achieve your desired results.
Dr. Banda determines if you are a good candidate for the procedure based on the current state of your veins as well as your medical history. Women who are pregnant are not eligible for sclerotherapy.
If you want to live your life without worrying about noticeable veins, call our office or book an appointment online.
