Summertime comes with short skirts and swimsuits, but you may be feeling self-conscious about your legs if you have spider veins. While usually harmless, spider veins can be unsightly and bring about uncomfortable questions from others. If you want to get rid of varicose veins, sclerotherapy may be just the right treatment for you.
What Causes Spider Veins?
There are two components to varicose veins: genetic and acquired conditions. There are plenty of genetic conditions that make a person more likely to develop spider veins, such as port-wine stains and Maffucci syndrome to name a few.
Evidence also suggests that varicose veins run in families. If your mother or father has them, you’re likely to develop them too.
The other factors may include your age, whether or not you’ve ever been pregnant and what types of jobs you’ve done. Those who stand to work are more prone to spider veins than those who sit or simply move around and change positions a lot.
Both genders are affected, with more women than men having varicose veins. This is likely due to pregnancy and occupation choices more than gender itself.
How Sclerotherapy Works
Sclerotherapy uses a small needle to introduce medicine into the offending vein. This causes it to collapse. Because our circulatory system is both robust and redundant, the blood flow is routed away from the collapsed vein.
Over time, your body then absorbs the collapsed vein, and it disappears. This can be done repeatedly if more spider veins crop up later. This procedure has been practiced for many years and is quite safe.
Who is a Good Candidate?
Sclerotherapy may work best on spider and varicose veins. If yours are more serious, you may need another type of treatment. Ideal candidates are in general good health.
You cannot receive injections if you’re currently pregnant or breastfeeding. Injections are usually tolerated well, with perhaps some minor bruising that fades over the course of a few days.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you have spider or varicose veins on your legs and want to get rid of them, sclerotherapy can help give you smooth, clear skin once again. To discuss your options, contact South Texas Vein Institute today to schedule a consultation. We’d be happy to answer any questions you have and explain possible treatments.
