What are spider veins?
Spider veins are vascular dilations that frequently cover a large area of the skin. They often appear in combination with varicose veins and weaknesses of the connective tissue. They look like a bluish web of extended small blood vessels, and don’t pose any health dangers.
What happens during sclerotherapy?
I will inject a sclerosing solution (aethoxysklerol) into your extended blood vessels using a fine needle. This damages the inner wall of the vessels and leads to slight inflammation. The vessel walls stick together, which stops any more blood from flowing through them, and the spider vein disappears or disintegrates.
What steps should I take after the treatment?
I recommend wearing stockings after the treatment. The required length of time depends on the severity of the spider veins: from a few days up to two weeks. Your skin should avoid contact with heat during the healing process. This means avoiding taking full baths and visits to the spa or sauna until the skin has fully healed. You should also avoid direct sunlight and visits to the solarium, as this can lead to pigmentation disorders on the areas of skin that were treated.
Are there any potential side effects?
The sclerosing solution can cause slight discomfort or a slight burning sensation. After treatment, the blood vessels will become inflamed, which makes the treated area of skin heat up and makes a rash appear on it.
How often do I need to attend spider vein treatments?
I generally treat as many spider veins as is medically acceptable per session. In some cases, however, too high a dosage of aethoxysklerol can have a negative impact on circulation. If not all spider veins can be removed during the first treatment, we will arrange a follow-up appointment. If the spider veins re-appear on another area of skin, I recommend treatment once a year in order to guarantee permanent cosmetic success.