Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a treatment for spider veins, which are small purple and red blood vessels. Spider veins are hereditary and while most commonly found on the thigh or lower leg, spider veins can form virtually anywhere on the leg, from the uppermost region of the thigh to the ankle. Occasionally, spider veins will appear on the face. Sclerotherapy is a very popular cosmetic procedure. Doctors mark the veins he will treat while the patient is standing and usually address the larger veins first. The doctor injects a clerosing solution into the vein with a micro-needle. The solution causes the vein to turn white and then gradually disappear. A typical treatment lasts from 30 minutes to an hour. The injections may sting a bit, especially if saline is used, but the discomfort does not last long.