Sclerotherapy

Varicose and spider veins are a frustrating reality for up to 80% of women and many men.  While the cause is not always known, it has a strong genetic component and is worsened under the influence of hormones (pregnancy etc…), weight gain, and injury to the area.  Individuals who stand all day also have a tendency to develop these veins.

The first line of treatment is to correct the underlying condition (losing weight, exercising etc…).  Compression stockings are also useful for medium to large veins especially in those who stand a lot, although many patients do not like wearing stockings.  Some patients will notice an improvement of smaller veins with horse chestnut from their local health food store. Sclerotherapy is used for the removal of smaller varicose veins and “spider veins”.

Sclerotherapy is still the gold standard for vein treatment even in the age of laser technology.  The process is fairly simple using salt water injections to shrink the affected veins.   Most veins require several treatment sessions and patients are surprised that it’s not as painful as rumor has it.