If you dread the thought of baring your legs due to spider veins—those red or bluish, squiggly veins that appear predominantly on the thighs, calves and ankles—you’re not alone! It’s estimated that 60 percent of Americans are affected by this cosmetic condition.
Spider veins are small, dilated blood vessels visible just under the surface of the skin. They can appear in individual lines or branch out in clusters looking similar to a bruise. Spider veins often develop as people age and can be very difficult to camouflage.
Causes and Risk Factors
Spider veins are caused by swollen, weakened blood vessels. The most common risk factors for the condition include:
- A family history of vascular problems
- A lifestyle that involves prolonged sitting/standing or airplane travel
- Trauma such as a broken bone or sports injury
- Hormonal influences: puberty, birth control pills, pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy
- Tight garments
Fortunately, spider veins can be very easily removed through a simple, minimally-invasive procedure called Sclerotherapy.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is considered the gold standard in eliminating spider veins, proved by studies to be more effective than newer, laser-based techniques.
The treatment involves the injection of a concentrated chemical solution directly into the spider veins using a very fine needle. This irritates the lining of the veins, causing them to collapse. Healthier vessels will absorb the blood flow of the collapsed veins, and the treated veins will fade over time.
Sclerotherapy is an outpatient procedure, and numerous areas can be injected in any one treatment session.
Results
After treatment, spider veins will gradually disappear over several months. Depending on the severity of the condition, more than one treatment may be required for desired results. After 3-4 sessions, most patients can expect to see up to a 90 percent improvement in the appearance of their spider veins.
If veins are eliminated through sclerotherapy, they will not reappear. However, new spider veins can develop over time.
Are you a Good Candidate for Sclerotherapy?
Women and men of any age may be candidates for sclerotherapy, but most patients are between the ages of 30 and 60. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and patients diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis are not suitable candidates.
Prior to having the procedure performed, a medical professional from Surgical Associates will review your medical history and examine the severity of your condition to determine the course of treatment that’s right for you.
Schedule Your Vein Consultation Today
When you are looking for top-rated spider vein treatment in Central or Northern Wisconsin, trust your legs to the experts at Surgical Associates.
Call Surgical Associates at 715-847-2022 for more information and to schedule your vein consultation today!
