Fit or not, young or “well-seasoned,” nobody is immune from the emergence of unsightly spider veins. Thankfully, sclerotherapy treatments have proven themselves effective in drastically reducing the appearance of spider and varicose veins.
At Mimi Lee, M.D., P.A., of Little Rock, AR, we use a cutting-edge sclerotherapy treatment to resolve spider veins with less discomfort on your part.
But before diving into the advantages of ASCLERA, we need to back up a step. What exactly is sclerotherapy, and how does it work? Who is it for?
If you’re new to this treatment, there’s no need to be intimidated. Consider this your misinformation-free, all-in-one guide to all things sclerotherapy.
How Sclerotherapy Treats Spider Veins
When veins are no longer doing their job with 100% efficiency, blood can begin to pool in them, creating that typical spider vein presentation (twisty, purple lines). This issue is often caused by insufficiency of the vein’s built-in backflow prevention valves, increased blood pressure, genetics, and other factors.
Whatever the cause is, sclerotherapy offers a minimally invasive way to accurately target and resolve this usually harmless, but aesthetically problematic issue.
Derived from the Greek word for “hard,” sclerotherapy treatment involves the injection of a solution directly into the problem vein(s), causing the walls of the blood vessel to swell up to the extent that they stick to each other, effectively closing the vein.
In response to this small and controlled injury, the body lays down scar tissue in the area, hardening the vein. Because blood can no longer flow through the vein, it will shrink and fade away over time while the body reroutes blood flow through nearby vessels.
In the majority of cases, sclerotherapy does not require anesthesia. The number of injections you receive depends on your unique presentation. Most people experience spider veins in the legs and/or the face, but they can form in several other spots, which sclerotherapy can also treat.
Am I Eligible for Sclerotherapy Treatment?
The best practice to follow when determining your eligibility for sclerotherapy is to consult with a reputable treatment provider like Mimi Lee, M.D., P.A. Your provider will comprehensively assess your medical history, medication use, and your current presentation to make an informed decision on your eligibility.
With that in mind, we can still provide a general framework in terms of the contraindications (factors barring you from eligibility) and indications (the opposite) for sclerotherapy.
The primary indication for sclerotherapy is the appearance of the veins themselves, since this procedure is meant to improve the cosmetic appearance of the area. In some cases, patients will also report burning and aching at the treatment site, which sclerotherapy treatment may help with.
While sclerotherapy is widely well-tolerated and minimally invasive, there are still some factors that can harm your eligibility for this procedure, including, but not limited to:
- Blood clots (thrombophlebitis)
- General hypercoagulability (tendency towards blood clots)
- Allergy to sclerosing solution
- Pregnancy
- Active infection on or near the treatment area
- Advanced arterial disease
To reiterate, this is not an exhaustive list, and every patient’s case is unique. Consulting with a licensed provider will give you a clear picture of your eligibility for sclerotherapy treatments.
Benefits of Sclerotherapy
Our team at Mimi Lee, M.D., P.A., uses an industry-leading sclerotherapy solution called ASCLERA, allowing Dr. Lee to deliver the main benefits of sclerotherapy while significantly reducing discomfort by eliminating the need for saline solution.
The main benefit of sclerotherapy is the reduction of unsightly spider veins. However, this procedure isn’t purely cosmetic for everyone, since venous insufficiency can cause pain, which sclerotherapy can alleviate.
Additional benefits of sclerotherapy with Mimi Lee, M.D., P.A., include:
- Very little downtime
- No incisions
- Well-tolerated with low risk of complications
- Rapid results (usually less than a month for full results)
- Safe, quick procedure
In the majority of cases, no anesthesia is required, and results are highly consistent across different patient demographics. When successful, this is also a permanent solution; veins should not come back after the treatment.
Prep and Aftercare Best Practices
While sclerotherapy is a simple and well-tolerated treatment, this doesn’t negate the importance of preparing for your treatment and practicing smart aftercare. That said, preparation in this case is very straightforward.
Your prep and aftercare recommendations may be individualized to an extent, but in general, it’s important to avoid shaving or using lotion (around the treatment area) within 24 hours before treatment. Wearing loose, comfortable clothing to your appointment is also important to allow the provider easy access to the area.
If your legs are being treated, you may be asked to bring a pair of compression socks, which are meant to enhance circulation and speed up the results of the treatment.
This brings us to the general aftercare prescription, which involves wearing compression garments for several days following treatment, avoiding direct sun exposure, and staying away from heavy activity for at least two weeks. However, it’s important to stay mobile and consistently active soon after your treatment, as this will promote optimal blood circulation.
Experience Safe and Effective Rejuvenation with Sclerotherapy by Mimi Lee, M.D., P.A of Little Rock, AR
Dr. Lee and her friendly and knowledgeable staff are here to provide you with a safe, comfortable, and fully customized sclerotherapy experience that delivers the transformative results you’ve been looking for.
We treat every patient as a unique, holistic case, centering our personalized care plans around your needs and input.
Contact our Little Rock, AR office today to set up a consultation, and we will partner closely with you to create a sclerotherapy treatment plan that works for you.