Sclerotherapy
What is Sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a popular method of eliminating varicose veins and superficial telangiectasias (“spider veins”). A solution, called a sclerosing agent, is injected into the veins to break down the vein wall. Typically, sclerotherapy treatment takes 20-45 minutes, and we will instruct the patient to wear special stockings to help maximize results following treatment. More prominent veins may require more than one treatment. Schedule a consultation with our advanced-trained nurses at Eternity Med Spa in Creve Coeur to discuss varicose and spider vein treatment.
What Are Spider Veins?
Spider veins are tiny blood vessels that lie near the skin surface on the legs and range in colors from red to blue and purple. They look like short, unconnected lines; usually the size of a hair, or sometimes can form a “sunburst” pattern that resembles a spider web or branches of a tree.
Spider veins can result from defective valves in deeper varicose veins, resulting in blood backflow and swelling. A hormonal change can also trigger these veins during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause. Also, long periods of standing or sitting, heredity, and birth control pills may all play a role in developing spider or varicose veins. An injury or constricting garments held by elastic also causes spider veins.
How Are Veins Treated?
Sclerotherapy or spider/varicose veins treatment involves injecting a sclerosing agent – typically a saline solution – into the vein, causing it to fade gradually over time. The procedure uses a tiny micro-needle which causes minimal pain.
Our advanced trained nurse treats the more prominent blue veins with sclerotherapy, Intense Pulse Light (IPL) treatments, or a combination. With IPL, the targeted vein absorbs the light energy, leaving the surrounding tissue unaffected. However, the energy heats the vein wall to the point that it collapses and closes and causes the vein’s blood to coagulate. Over time, the body absorbs coagulated blood, and the vein becomes invisible.
Intense-Pulsed Light Treatment For Spider Veins (IPL for Spider Veins)
Intense-Pulsed Light Treatment (IPL) uses a light source to lessen their appearance and rejuvenate the skin. Intense-Pulsed Light Treatment directly treats the veins by damaging the outer walls of the blood vessel by applying heat to them. Once the blood vessel is impaired, it will be reabsorbed by the body and eventually disappear. IPL is so effective because it treats the lower layers of the skin. As a result, the light penetrates the skin affecting the spider veins without damaging the skin’s surface. Additionally, Intense-Pulsed Light Treatment is effective because it can treat large and small areas because we can control the amount of heat from each wavelength.
Spider veins can show up anywhere on the body. However, you’ll more commonly see these veins on your legs and face. Intense-Pulsed Light Treatment works well on most skin types to reduce and eliminate their appearance; however, darker skin tones might affect your results. The procedure can take anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of the area our advanced-trained nurse is treating. Therefore, you may require multiple treatment sessions if our nurse treats a larger area. Although the light pulses emit heat that may feel like a pinch, most patients don’t find it painful and only experience minor discomfort. In addition, patients require no downtime after your treatment; therefore, you can resume your regular activities.
Does Sclerotherapy Work for Everyone?
Most patients who receive sclerotherapy treatment will be cleared of their varicosities or have visible improvement. However, there is no guarantee that sclerotherapy will be effective in every case.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
The number of treatments needed to clear or improve varicose veins differs for each person. The average number of treatments ranges from one to three.
Book A Complimentary Consultation
Call 314-464-2868 to schedule a spider veins / varicose veins treatment at our Creve Coeur med spa. We use IPL to treat spider veins in patients from Chesterfield, Manchester, Sunset Hills, South County, O’Fallon, MO and throughout the metropolitan St. Louis area.