Sclerotherapy is an outpatient procedure for treating spider veins. During sclerotherapy, the patient receives one or more injections of a sclerosing solution into the spider veins. This causes them to swell and close, reducing or even eliminating their appearance.

Spider veins, also called telangiectasia, are small, visible surface veins that can appear as blue, pink, purple, or red lines, or as starburst-shaped clusters, on the calves, ankles, thighs, or breasts. They are caused by a valve malfunction in the veins and are often associated with pregnancy, birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, family history, injury, or obesity.

After the initial disappearance at the injection site, the veins reappear and then slowly fade over six to eight weeks after treatment. Small vessels may disappear altogether, while larger ones will decrease in size and may need further treatments.

Side effects are generally mild and can include swelling, tenderness and bruising around the injection site, discoloration around the injection site, usually disappearing within three months, or a hive-like rash that usually lasts no longer than a half hour.

Do not engage in contact sports, weight-bearing exercises involving the legs, or aerobics until your doctor says it is ok to resume these activities.

The number of treatments will depend on location, size, number, and extent of your spider veins, as well as your own cosmetic preferences.

Those who should avoid sclerotherapy include; Pregnant women (although treatment is usually fine six months after delivery), people with a history of vein inflammation, blood clots in the legs, diabetes, leg ulcers, and arterial or other vascular problems.

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