Spider veins are small, diseased veins near the surface of the skin. Although they aren’t usually painful or dangerous, they can make you feel self-conscious and prevent you from taking part in activities you used to enjoy. At Dr. Mimi Lee Vein & Aesthetic Care in Little Rock, AR, we offer sclerotherapy to patients who have persistent spider veins.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Sclerotherapy?
This sclerotherapy treatment is minimally invasive, so it doesn’t require surgery or general anesthesia. For this reason, it’s suitable for a wide range of patients, even those who aren’t in perfect health. We can treat people who’ve had spider veins for several months or years and are in good general health. However, we can’t work with patients who can’t move around freely because walking is an important part of the recovery process.
When you first come to the clinic, we’ll spend some time examining your treatment area and discussing your goals. We’ll also have a close look at your health history to make sure the injection is appropriate for you. If not, we might offer you ablation or holistic treatment methods.
You Have Spider Veins
Spider veins are typically blue, purple, pink, or red, and they appear close to the surface of the skin. They form because the valves inside the veins are no longer functional, so the blood can’t flow back to the heart. If spider veins aren’t addressed, they can get worse, lead to varicose veins, and cause venous reflux disease.
If you’ve only just developed spider veins, we might ask you to wait for several months to see how your condition develops. Sometimes, the issue resolves itself, especially if it is caused by pregnancy. If you’ve been struggling with spider veins for several months, you are a good candidate.
You’re in Good Health
The injection is gentle, and it doesn’t involve making incisions in the skin or removing tissues from the body. That’s why it’s suitable for a wide range of people, even those who aren’t in perfect health. However, we have to make sure that patients don’t have any allergies or conditions that could make the treatment unsafe.
We can’t use this treatment if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding because there isn’t enough proof that it is safe for the baby. It’s best to wait for around nine weeks after you’re done breastfeeding. This also gives your body time to recover from your pregnancy. If you have an infection or skin condition in the treatment area, you might not be a good candidate for the spider vein injection.
You Can Walk Around Freely
One of the most important aftercare activities is regular movement because it speeds up the healing process and stops the disease from coming back. You have to move around every few hours and wear compression stockings to prevent the pooling of blood in your legs. We recommend that you walk around your house or block several times per day in the first few weeks after your injections.
That’s why we aren’t able to accept patients who have serious mobility issues or are bedridden. They have to work with their doctor to improve their physical condition before being eligible for treatment.
What Happens During the Session?
This injection is quick and easy. Wear loose-fitting clothes and avoid applying cosmetic products to your treatment area on the day of your appointment. We’ll start by examining your spider veins and applying a numbing cream. Then, we’ll mark the injection sites and inject the solution.
The entire treatment takes 30 to 45 minutes. When you’re done, you can leave the clinic and resume your regular activities, as long as they don’t involve strenuous physical exercise. Because your legs are affected by the treatment, it’s best if you ask a friend or family member to drive you home after your appointment. Depending on your condition, you might need one or several sessions to experience excellent results.
What Results Can I Expect?
One of the best things about Sclerotherapy treatment is that it provides patients with permanent results. Once the solution has been injected, it causes the walls of the veins to collapse. The body recognizes that the veins are broken and absorbs them. Your blood then finds new pathways to flow through, and the diseased veins no longer exist.
This process takes around three to six weeks. If you have large spider veins, you might have to wait for several months until you see the desired results. It’s important to note that the treatment permanently removes the diseased veins, but this doesn’t mean new ones can’t form. If you’re overweight, stand or sit a lot, or have a genetic predisposition, you might develop more spider veins over time.
Get Rid of Your Spider Veins Now
You’re a good candidate for sclerotherapy if you’ve had spider veins for a few months or years, you’re in good general health, and you’re able to walk around freely. This treatment is minimally invasive, so it doesn’t require a long recovery period. Get in touch with us at Dr. Mimi Lee Vein & Aesthetic Care in Little Rock, AR to book your consultation and find out more about our vein treatments.