Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure used to eliminate spider veins. Sclerotherapy involves an injection of a solution (generally a salt solution) directly into the vein. The solution irritates the lining of the blood vessel, causing it to swell and stick together, and the blood to clot. Over time, the vessel turns into scar tissue that fades from view.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING SCLEROTHERAPY
After consultation and discussion of your goals, injections are performed by a board certified dermatologist using the smallest needles possible. Individual veins are injected. You may experience a mild pinch or burn but this resolves quickly. The use of compression stockings may be recommended, which you will be advised to acquire before your treatment.
Immediately after treatment, you may experience mild tenderness or bruising but these will rapidly resolve.
Most damaged blood vessels will not return but patients who develop these lesions are prone to develop more in the future.*