Launching a new treatment gets us super jazzed here at MD Beauty Clinic. We love being able to provide new treatments not because they’re new and exciting (though we love that too) but because it means that we can address another skin concern and expand our services to help more people.
Spider veins are not a new thing. They’ve been around since the dawn of time probably, but that doesn’t make them any more desirable. Spider veins look like what they’re called. They’re those red, purple, or blue veins that tend to take on a life of their own, most often on the legs, and spread every which way, like spider legs—hence the name.
They usually don’t hurt and they’re not in any way dangerous, but they don’t always look the way we want them to, especially if many appear in one area. Naturally they can cause some anxiety and become more bothersome and distracting than we’d like.
That’s why we’re excited to be launching Sclerotherapy, a treatment that will make those spider veins vanish. If you’ve got spider veins you don’t like and would prefer to show off those beautiful legs without ever thinking about it again, this might be just the treatment you’ve been waiting for.
What are spider veins?
There’s a lot of confusion out there about spider veins and varicose veins being the same thing, but they’re actually not, and the treatment we offer does not address varicose veins at this time. But what’s the difference between the two?
The main difference between spider veins and varicose veins is that spider veins remain below the surface of the skin whereas varicose veins tend to grow large and bulge through the skin, often causing discomfort and pain.
Although spider veins most commonly appear on the legs, they can form pretty much anywhere on the body, but they are not painful. They are usually only removed for aesthetic reasons not for medical ones.
We’re not really sure what causes spider veins to form. There’s no one scientifically proven reason for their formation. Women seem to be more prone to them than men, and genetics, hormonal imbalances, pregnancy, or even repeated injuries to an area, can all have a role to play in their appearance.
How can Sclerotherapy treat spider veins?
Ok, so what’s the science behind Sclerotherapy? Well basically the word sclerotherapy comes from the medication or solution that’s used in order to treat the spider veins. The medication is called a sclerosant, and it’s a solution that, when injected into the spider vein, stops the blood flow to the vein and ultimately causes it to close and vanish over time.
It’s a process that takes time, some patience is required. You won’t see your spider vein magically disappear after your first treatment, and it usually takes about three treatments before you start to see results.
Does Sclerotherapy hurt?
Nope. Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure, where a very small needle is used in order to inject the medication into the vein. The needle is smaller than the needles that are used to draw blood, so you are likely to feel something like a pinch, and no local anesthetic is needed. Some patients may find it a little uncomfortable, but pain is not a factor.
Does Sclerotherapy require any downtime?
The great thing about sclerotherapy is that there’s no downtime. The treatment can take anywhere from 20-60 minutes, after which you can confidently return to work or your daily activities.
That being said, you will probably have some itchiness and possibly mild bruising in the treated area. You also need to take care not to infect the area, so keep away from things like swimming and hot tubs for at least 24 hours after your treatment. Also no heavy lifting or weights for 48 hours, and protect the area from any sun exposure.
Your provider will give you detailed guidelines on how to take care of your spider veins following treatment to ensure the best result possible.
Is Sclerotherapy permanent?
Sclerotherapy is not a permanent treatment. Although the treatment can successfully remove existing spider veins, it can’t keep new spider veins from forming.
So if you are prone to spider veins, then it’s more likely than not that they will reappear, although everyone is different. Your best bet is to book a complimentary consultation with us in order to determine an appropriate treatment plan for you.
You might require maintenance treatments every 3-6 months, or once a year, it really just depends on your individual case.