Sclerotherapy is the gold standard for treating unsightly spider veins in your legs and other areas. It’s a gentle procedure Dr. Lum performs to introduce a sclerosant solution into small unneeded blood vessels to damage them. After the procedure, these veins harden, shrink, and eventually fade away.

Spider veins are similar to varicose veins, but are smaller in size and are found closer to your skin’s surface. These tiny veins often affect more than half of women and might look like a spider’s web. Veins can appear on your legs, feet, face, and numerous other areas. While spider veins are usually harmless, they can cause:

  • Discoloration
  • Aching
  • Burning
  • Swelling
  • Night cramps
  • Dull pain
  • Pain from spider veins might worsen after you stand for long time periods. Fortunately, a simple minimally invasive treatment helps to reduce spider veins and their symptoms.

Before and during sclerotherapy, Dr. Lum makes sure you’re as comfortable as possible. You will lie on the exam table while Dr. Lum cleans the areas he will treat. He then inserts only the tip of a fine needle into spider veins to inject them with a special solution known as a sclerosant. You may experience a slight stinging or cramping during the injections, but most patients tolerate the procedure very well.

Almost all patients see significant improvement with each treatment, and multiple treatments are usually necessary for optimal clearance. Small spider veins and feeder veins may be treated.

Soon after sclerotherapy, you can get up and walk around. You are encouraged to walk around for 10-30 minutes after treatment and as much as possible. Avoid standing in one position for prolonged periods.

You may wear taped compression bandages, which can be removed in 2 to 24 hours, depending on the advice of Dr. Lum. You may be required to wear support hose for up to two weeks.

You will avoid hard physical activity such as high-impact aerobics, running or weight training for 48-72 hours. Avoid hot baths for about 2 weeks. You may shower. Avoid sunbathing for about 1 week. Avoid swimming in chlorinated pools for 48 hours. Unless taken for other medical reasons, avoid blood thinning medications for at least 24-48 hours.

It may take a few weeks up to a month or longer for the treated veins to fade. The number of treatments you will need depends on the amount and extent of your spider veins. Most people typically need at least 2-6 treatments for best results. Treatments are spaced six weeks apart.

If you are embarrassed by unsightly spider veins, call to schedule an appointment with Lumier Medical today or fill out the form in the Contact Us section.