Cosmetic Sclerotherapy
Cosmetic sclerotherapy is a treatment for unsightly veins on the legs. These veins can be blue or red and often about the size of 1 mm. These veins are known by a variety of names such as spider veins, telangiectasias, and small varicose veins. These veins appear most commonly around the knees and ankles. They are connected to larger veins called reticular veins deeper in the leg.
Cosmetic sclerotherapy is different from medically indicated foam sclerotherapy. When used for cosmetic purposes, the medication is in liquid form. We often use polidocanol ( Asclera) or sodium tetradecyl sulfate, “STS” (Sotradecol). These agents can also be used for medically indicated foam sclerotherapy. When used for larger veins as a part of medically indicated procedure, air is mixed with the agent to increase our ability to treat larger veins and is placed into the veins with ultrasound guidance. This is not needed for the very small veins treated with cosmetic sclerotherapy.
Treatment Day
When you arrive for treatment you will be placed in a gown and shorts. The cosmetic sclerotherapy agent such as polidocanol (Asclera) is prepared. The leg is sterilized and the unsightly veins are identified. The cosmetics solution is carefully injected into the spider veins with a very tiny needle. The medication causes the vein to close upon itself. With these vessels sealed, blood is directed to healthier things deeper in the legs and the damage vein is reabsorbed by the body. After the procedure we will help you place on compression socks. These compression socks should be worn as much as possible for the week following the procedure.
Usually the treatment does not hurt. While older medications used for sclerotherapy such as hypertonic saline caused a burning sensation when injected, new medications do not typically have that unpleasant sensation. We primarily use polidocanol ( Asclera) or sodium tetradecyl sulfate, “STS” (Sotradecol) for our sclerotherapy. When injected with a very tiny needle these agents are virtually painless.
Possible Medical Indications
Yes. Often cosmetics spider veins are found in people who also have an underlying medical condition known as chronic venous insufficiency. Approximately 60% of Americans will develop chronic venous insufficiency.
Symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency include:
Leg fatigue
Achy legs
Swelling
Pain
Cramping/restless leg syndrome
As a part of our vein care, we examine patients for underline chronic venous insufficiency. While cosmetic treatment is highly effective, if there is an underlying chronic venous insufficiency and large vein damage, this should be addressed as well. By treating the entire venous system for both medical and cosmetic indications, we are able to help our patients achieve the best possible outcomes.