If you’re tired of hiding your legs because of unsightly spider veins, Sclerotherapy may be just what the doctor ordered. Through a series of minor treatments, spider veins and some varicose veins can disappear. Sclerotherapy was developed in the 1920s and is the gold standard treatment for reducing spider veins.

The process of sclerotherapy is simple. Lasting only about 15 to 45 minutes, sclerotherapy is the quickest procedure to treat spider veins. First, you will be asked to lie down on an examination table. The area to be treated may be cleaned with an antiseptic solution. Next, the physician or nurse injects a sclerosing solution into the affected veins causing them to shrink and gradually fade away. You can expect multiple injections with a very fine needle each session. The needle is so thin that pain is usually minimal. Once the procedure is completed, a cotton ball or compression stockings are applied to the area if necessary. Treatment sessions may vary from weekly to monthly.

You may return to work immediately but be sure to avoid standing still for a long period of time and try to keep your feet elevated while sitting. It is beneficial to take a brisk walk of 20 minutes at least twice a day for the first week after treatment. Walking can help speed the healing process. Wait one week for aggressive exercise.

It generally takes six to eight weeks for the vessels to fade and you can expect approximately an 80 percent improvement. Vein disease is a progressive condition that may require maintenance treatments to achieve your desired results