Spider veins
Millions of men and women can be bothered by spider veins –
small yet unsightly clusters of red, blue or purple veins that most
commonly appear on the face, thighs, calves and ankles. In fact,
it’s estimated that at least half of the adult female population is
affected with this common cosmetic problem. Today, many plastic
surgeons and specialist practitioners are treating spider veins
with Sclerotherapy. In this simple procedure, veins are injected
with a special solution which causes veins to collapse and fade
from view.
A number of factors contribute to the development of spider
veins, including heredity factors, pregnancy and other events that
cause hormonal shifts, weight gain. Occupations or activities that
require prolonged exposure to environmentals elements or prolonged
sitting and standing can also exacerbate the problem.
The number of treatments required to achieve a successful result
will depend on the severity and long standing nature of the problem
area. If more than one treatment is required (which is typical),
treated spider veins will appear lighter after each treatment.
Patients should be aware that the procedure treats only those veins
that are currently visible; it does nothing to permanently alter
the venous system or prevent new veins from surfacing in the
future.
Sclerotherapy of spider veins is a relatively simple procedure
and does not require any anaesthesia. This treatment is performed
in an out patient setting. The needle used to administer the
sclerotherapy solution is so thin and the sclerosing solution is so
mild, that any pain is usually very minimal. However, patients
typically report that a mild burning sensation is experienced
during and just after each treatment session.
* Please note the above treatment may not be
offered by every hospital. Please contact your local hospital
to check if the treatment/service is available in
your area.