Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical spider vein treatment that involves the injection of an FDA-approved solution directly into the spider vein via a tiny needle. The injected solution irritates the lining of the vein, causing it to collapse and then to disappear over time. This treatment is done in your physician’s office and takes roughly 25-30 minutes to complete. Some patients will have larger clusters of spider veins that will need to be treated on more than one occasion to accomplish full fading of the veins. Most patients require a series of 3-5 treatments on average over the course of several months. Your physician will give you a detailed treatment plan which will be fully customized to your individual needs.
There may be some discomfort and bruising along the vein, because this treatment contracts the vein, causing you to feel tightness. Inflammation is also common for several days after the treatment, but ibuprofen can be taken for any discomfort. Any side effects will diminish during the weeks following the procedure. Generally, normal activities can be resumed immediately after sclerotherapy, and “pounding” activities, such as running, can be resumed one-week post-treatment. Medically prescribed compression stockings are worn for 2-3 weeks after each treatment session.