Arlington Sclerotherapy
Say Goodbye to Spider Veins
At SkinDC, our expert providers can help you minimize spider veins with sclerotherapy, a minimally invasive, painless outpatient procedure performed in our Arlington office.
What Is Sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a series of injections into the capillaries, or spider veins, in the legs. It involves injecting a solution directly into the vein, causing it to scar and forcing blood to reroute through healthier veins. The collapsed vein is then reabsorbed into local tissue and eventually fades.
How Sclerotherapy Works at SkinDC
Sclerotherapy is relatively quick and does not require anesthesia. It can be performed in our office and typically takes about 30 minutes, depending on the number and size of veins being treated.
During the procedure, you’ll lie down with your legs slightly elevated. Your provider will clean the area to be treated and then use a fine needle to inject the sclerosing solution into the vein.
They’ll compress and massage the injection site to help spread the solution and keep blood out of the injected vessel. Multiple veins can be treated in one session.
After the injection, compression stockings or bandages are worn to maintain pressure on the treated veins. We encourage you to walk around after the procedure to prevent the formation of blood clots.
You can usually return to normal activities the same day, although you should avoid strenuous exercise for a few weeks.
Sclerotherapy Gallery
What to Expect During Recovery
Your provider will administer multiple injections along small caliber veins in the legs. Typically, you’ll feel a minor pricking and stinging sensation, and you may experience some minor bleeding from the needle sticks.
Here’s what else you can expect:
Results
The treated veins typically fade within a few weeks, although it may take up to a month to see the full results. In some cases, several sclerotherapy treatments may be necessary to get the best results.
Recovery
Recovery from sclerotherapy is usually quick, with little to no downtime required. It's common to experience minor side effects, such as bruising, redness, or itching at the injection site. These symptoms are typically mild and subside within a few days.
Effectiveness
Sclerotherapy is quite effective in eliminating spider veins and smaller varicose veins. Studies indicate that as many as 50 – 80% of injected veins may be eliminated with each session of sclerotherapy.
Considerations
While sclerotherapy is safe for most people, it’s not suitable for everyone. Pregnant women and individuals with certain medical conditions may not be good candidates for the procedure.
Make sure to consult with a healthcare provider to determine if sclerotherapy is appropriate for you.