What is Sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is an injection of a solution into your veins to treat uncomplicated spider veins and uncomplicated reticular veins.
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are large blue, dark purple veins. They protrude from the skin and many times they have a cord-like appearance and may twist or bulge. Varicose veins are found most frequently on the legs. These veins often may need a vascular surgeon to surgically remove them. We do not offer treatment for varicose veins.
What are spider veins?
Spider veins are very small and very fine red or blue veins. They are closer to the surface of the skin than varicose veins. They can look like a thin red line, tree branches or spider webs. Spider veins can be found on the legs and face and may cover a small or large area.
What are reticular veins?
Reticular veins can also be known as feeder veins. They are the blue and green veins beneath the surface of the skin.
Reticular veins enlarge because of increased pressure in the vein. They can be caused by heredity. You may have reticular veins alone but you may also have spider veins at the same time.
What causes spider and reticular veins?
Spider and reticular veins can be caused by many factors.
- Heredity
Having a family member with prominent veins may increase the risk of you developing them. Approximately half of the people who get varicose veins have a family history of them. - Age
The normal wear and tear of aging may cause valves in the veins to weaken and not work as well. - Gender
Women are two to three times more likely to develop varicose veins than men. Up to half of American women have varicose veins. Changes in hormones due to puberty, pregnancy, menopause, or taking birth control pills may increase a woman’s risk of developing varicose veins. - Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the growth of the fetus increases the pressure on the veins in the legs. Varicose veins that occur during pregnancy usually improve within 3 to 12 months following delivery. - Overweight and obesity
Having extra weight on the body can put additional pressure on the veins. - Prolonged standing or sitting
This is particularly true with legs bent or crossed. When standing or sitting with legs bent or crossed, the veins have to work harder to pump the blood up to the heart.
What do we use to treat veins at skin specifics?
We use a product we are very happy with called Asclera® (pronounced a skler ah)?
Asclera® (polidocanol) Injection is a prescription medicine that we inject into select veins in the legs to treat two types of veins:
- Uncomplicated spider veins (very small varicose veins ≤ 1 mm in diameter)
- Uncomplicated small varicose veins (1 to 3 mm in diameter) known as reticular veins
How Does Asclera® Work?
Asclera® is a sclerosing agent that is injected into the vein. It works by damaging the endothelium, the cells lining the inside of blood vessels. This causes blood platelets to attach to the lining of the vessels; eventually, cellular debris and platelets cause the blood vessel to clot. Over time, the clotted vein will be replaced with tissue.
Does it hurt?
Injecting veins previously with other substances used to cause a lot of pain that discouraged many of our clients. Asclera is almost completely painless except that you will feel the prick of the needle.
What Can I do to prepare for treatment?
Stop taking Motrin, aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications and fish oils one week prior to your treatment as these medications can increase your risk of bruising.
Side Effects:
As with everything we have to tell you about side effects that can occur. Please visit www.asclera.com to read all about the possible side effects that can occur. We have been injecting asclera for about one year at skin specifics, but have not had anyone experience any of the listed side effects.
Post Treatment Recommendations
After the injection session is completed, apply compression with a stocking or bandage, and walk for 15- 20 minutes. We would like you to stay in the office for 15 to 20 minutes after the procedure to make sure you are not having any allergic reactions.
You should wear a compression stocking or ace wrap in the area treated for 2 to 3 days after treatment of spider veins and for 5 to 7 days for reticular veins in general but this is not always necessary. For extensive varicosities, longer compression treatment with compression bandages or a gradient compression stocking of a higher compression class is recommended. Post-treatment compression is necessary to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis.
What are some of the adverse Reactions that can occur?
Injection site hematoma, injection site irritation, injection site discoloration, injection site pain, injection site itching, injection site warmth, neovascularization, injection site clotting.
