Spider veins usually appear on the legs, ankles, face, and hips and appear in a reddish or bluish color. The veins are quite thin and often appear like branches stretching out from a centralized area, or may appear like tiny rivers running.

Sclerotherapy is a technique involving the use of injections of a sclerosing agent; the two most popular agents are hypertonic saline and Aethoxysklerol solution into the veins to dissolve and eliminate unwanted blood vessels and spider veins. The physician uses a tiny needle to inject the fluid directly into the unwanted blood vessels. This fluid then displaces the blood in the vein causing it to contract. Gradually over the next month the blood vessels are absorbed and disappear.

Some spider veins on the legs or face can be treated by laser. This is usually the case, for people that have unsightly capilliaries on their face. Laser is a very effective tool in correcting this condition.

This procedure eliminates unsightly veins and also assists to minimize some of the associated symptoms that some times accompany them, such as cramps, aches and swelling. Sclerotherapy has a 95% success rate with most vessels disappearing completely. Generally depending on the severity of your condition and the individual approx. 2-4 treatments may be required.

While Sclerotherapy is most commonly used for the treatment of spider veins, it may also be used to treat minor varicose veins with some patients, however serious and larger varicose veins may require you to be referred to a vascular surgeon.

On your initial consultation you should be referred for an ultra sound, which is usually covered by Medicare. This will determine if there are any underlying problems. After the completion of your assessment your physician will determine the best treatment for you.

In some cases, this procedure may be covered by Medicare and you will receive a rebate for your treatment; however most physicians treat this as a cosmetic procedure.

Sclerotherapy treatment does not require a local anesthetic as it is virtually painless with minimal discomfort. You may feel a slight sting or a cramping sensation that only lasts a few minutes.

Risks:
Sclerotherapy is considered a safe method of the treatment of spider veins with minimal risks. The side affects that you may experience are itching, hyper pigmentation, mild bruising, swelling and minor crusting where you were injected, which should all heal eventually.

Post Operative Care:
Following your procedure you are required to wear pantyhose or a surgical stocking continuously for the next two weeks. You may remove them for bathing or washing of the garment, but the garment must be worn immediately there after.

Immediately after your procedure you are encouraged to walk for half an hour to assist the solution to circulate through the treated veins, and you will be advised to walk for half an hour each day there after until treatment is completed and you can remove your garment. Your physician will advise you accordingly.

You should refrain from any impact activities such as running, jogging or swimming after your treatment for approx. 10 days.

Patients are advised not to apply any form of heat on the treated area and should not have hot baths or saunas, until advised by there physician.

You may return to work immediately after treatment and resume normal daily activities.

It is important not to fly for 48 hours after your procedure as this may increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis. (DVT)

There is no set schedule fee and the cost may vary from one physician to another.

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