Sclerotherapy Outpatient Treatment

Sclerotherapy, also known as cosmetic sclerotherapy, is an effective outpatient treatment to quickly and painlessly remove small varicose veins and spider veins, also known as telangiectasias.

What are spider veins, venular ectasias and small varicose veins?

These are small blood vessels that are most often seen on the upper front and lateral thighs, inner thighs just above the knees, and on the feet and ankles. These veins are connected to larger blue veins, called reticular, or “feeder,” veins. These veins can put pressure on the smaller veins, causing them to dilate and become increasingly visible.

How do spider and varicose veins develop?

For women, female hormones, pregnancy, birth control and hormone replacement therapy are factors that can contribute to the formation of such veins. While spider veins, or telangiectasias, are a common cosmetic issue for women, men get spider and varicose veins too. Heredity plays a role regarding whether you will develop pooling veins. For both men and women, roles that require standing on legs — mothers, flight attendants, health care personnel, police, hair stylists, wait staff and retail workers — often contribute to spider and varicose veins.

Are spider veins and varicose veins dangerous?

While spider veins and telangiectasias are generally just a cosmetic problem, larger varicose veins may be a sign of a more serious underlying problem. RIA Endovascular can help you determine if a noninvasive vascular assessment (NIVA) — a Doppler ultrasound — is required to rule out more serious vein issues.

To learn more about the issue, read this article by interventional radiologist Peter Stratil, MD, called Healthy-Looking Legs – Cosmetic Procedure or Something More?