Are spider veins getting you down? Spider veins have a distinct appearance on the surface of the skin that many of our patients are unhappy with, but these markings don’t have to be permanent.
Fortunately, there are treatments available for spider veins, one of which is sclerotherapy. Many of our patients have questions about sclerotherapy and wonder whether sclerotherapy is worth it. Let’s dive a little deeper into what spider veins are, what causes spider veins to appear, and whether sclerotherapy is the right treatment to reduce your unwanted spider veins.
What are Spider Veins?
Spider veins are damaged veins that appear as thin red or bluish lines under the skin and organize as “webs” on the surface of the skin. They can appear anywhere on the body, but most often affect the legs and face. Spider veins don’t often cause discomfort; however, spider veins can be a warning sign of chronic vein insufficiency, a condition that can cause pain, heaviness, and fatigue in the legs and affected areas.
What Causes Spider Veins?
Spider veins develop because of damage to the valves within veins. In healthy veins, there are valves open when blood is pumped through them, and close afterwards to prevent the backflow of blood in the wrong direction. When these valves are damaged, the blood within the vein pools up, causing the veins to bulge and appear as noticeable red and blue lines on the surface of the skin.
There are a variety of factors that can weaken the valves in your veins and cause spider veins. Most people who develop spider veins have a genetic predisposition for the condition. In others, spider veins show up as a natural result of aging. Fortunately, there are therapeutic options available to make these unsightly veins disappear.
Sclerotherapy for Spider Veins
Sclerotherapy is a safe and effective way to get rid of spider veins, as well as varicose veins. It is a minimally invasive, nonsurgical treatment in which a chemical solution called a sclerosing agent is injected directly into your damaged veins. This causes the veins to permanently close and be eliminated from the vascular system.
Sclerotherapy treatments are highly effective for the treatment of spider veins and varicose veins. That being said, it’s important to keep in mind that multiple treatment sessions may be required to achieve your desired results. Once your desired results are achieved, they may be maintained long-term. Talk to your vascular surgeon about whether sclerotherapy is right for you.
Benefits of Sclerotherapy
There are many benefits of receiving sclerotherapy treatments with a highly skilled vascular surgeon like Dr. Mackay at Edward G. Mackay & Associates, including:
- Minimally invasive, nonsurgical procedure
- No anesthesia required
- Can return to normal activities immediately following the procedure
- Results in as little as three weeks
- Quick and easy treatment sessions
- Long-term results
Sclerotherapy Near Me
Are you interested in receiving high quality sclerotherapy for your spider veins? Look no further than Edward G. Mackay & Associates. Conveniently located in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, our compassionate and dedicated team of medical professionals are proud to offer their services to men and women suffering from damaged veins. Dr. Mackay is double board-certified in general surgery as well as vascular surgery – he is an expert in sclerotherapy treatments and is a trailblazer in cutting-edge treatments for varicose and spider veins.
If you’re looking for varicose vein treatment in Palm Harbor, Largo, or St. Petersburg, give us a call at (727) 527-2888. You can also request an appointment here at your convenience. We look forward to serving you!