Spider veins are the thread-like veins seen on the surface of the skin. Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure used to effectively treat varicose and spider veins. It’s often considered the treatment of choice for small varicose veins. Sclerotherapy involves injecting a special solution (sclerosant) through a very fine needle directly into the vein. At this point, you may experience mild discomfort and cramping for one to two minutes, especially when larger veins are injected.
The sclerotherapy solution causes the vein to scar and collapse, forcing blood to reroute through healthier veins. The collapsed vein is reabsorbed into local tissue and eventually fades.
After sclerotherapy, treated veins tend to fade within a few weeks, although occasionally it may take up to a month to see the full results. In some instances, several sclerotherapy treatments may be needed. Sclerotherapy costs less than surgery, requires no hospital stay, and allows a quicker return to work and normal activities. Sclerotherapy can reduce symptoms and improve the look of the skin.