How many times have you looked at your legs and frowned at the visible veins beneath your skin? For many women, the appearance of spider veins and varicose veins is a source of self-consciousness. Fortunately, there is an exceptional aesthetic treatment that can safely reduce or eliminate the appearance of visible veins on the legs. At Oceana Luxe Medspa in Corpus Christi, TX, we know that sclerotherapy is an ideal treatment for those who want to have younger-looking legs.
How Does Sclerotherapy Work?
Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical, minimally-invasive treatment that uses a special chemical solution to shrink the appearance of varicose veins and spider veins on the legs. This one-of-a-kind vein treatment has been trusted for decades and can safely, effectively, and quickly rejuvenate the appearance of your legs. The chemical solution for this injectable treatment is approved by the FDA and is generally safe for most people.
This treatment has a very simple process. The sclerotherapy solution will be injected into the affected veins with a small needle. Once the solution is in the vein, it will irritate the walls of the vein to cause the vein to collapse over time. When the vein is no longer viable, your body will redirect blood flow to healthier veins and the collapsed vein will be absorbed by the body until it fades from view.
Where Can This Treatment Be Used?
Varicose veins and spider veins generally appear on the legs. For the most part, you will usually find varicose veins below the knee. These veins are identifiable by their bulging, gnarled, or twisted appearance. Varicose veins are usually found on larger veins and can be more visible from a distance than spider veins.
Spider veins, on the other hand, can appear on any area of the leg, including the upper thighs. Spider veins are more subtle than varicose veins since these veins have a spiderweb-like appearance. Spider veins may have a red or purple appearance, but they will generally be smaller than the size of a silver dollar and they will not have a raised texture.
Is This Treatment Covered By Insurance?
No, sclerotherapy is generally not covered by insurance since it is a cosmetic procedure. Although not pleasing to look at, most varicose veins and spider veins are benign, meaning they are not caused by a specific medical condition. For that reason, any treatment for varicose veins is considered cosmetic, so your medical insurance will usually not cover the treatment.
How Many Treatments Will You Need?
Although this injectable treatment is very effective, most people will need multiple treatments to achieve optimal results. On average, most patients need at least three to five treatments spaced at least one to two months apart to reduce the appearance of varicose veins and spider veins. This number of treatments will ensure that each vein is given an adequate amount of the chemical solution to collapse the visible vein.
In general, varicose veins tend to require more treatments than spider veins simply because the vein walls are larger and will require more injectable solution to eliminate. For the treatment of spider veins, you may only need one to three treatments. The number of veins you want to treat may also affect how many appointments you will need.
How Should You Prepare for Treatment?
Before you can have this treatment, you will need to attend a consultation appointment and undergo a physical examination of your varicose or spider veins. Because this treatment is related to the cardiovascular system, you may need to provide medical information that will rule out any underlying blood vessel disorders; for this reason, you may be asked to complete certain labs and exams, such as an ultrasound for your veins, before you are approved for treatment.
We will also require a list of all of your current medications and supplements. There are some medications that you will need to discontinue for a few days before and after your treatment, such as blood-thinning medications or herbal supplements. You should also disclose any drug allergies you have so we can assess your eligibility for this treatment.
Before Treatment
Before your appointment, you should not shave or wax for at least three days or have laser hair removal treatments for at least two weeks. You should not apply any lotion or body oil to your skin on the day of your appointment. You should also wear loose clothing, such as shorts or a skirt, so your legs are accessible for treatment.
What Is This Treatment Like?
Usually, this treatment can be completed in about one hour. During your treatment, you will be on your back with your legs elevated while the sclerotherapy injections are made into the affected veins. This treatment should not cause any significant discomfort during or after the treatment. After your injections are done, the area may be massaged before compression socks are placed on each leg to ensure an even distribution of the injectable solution.
What Should You Do After Treatment?
The biggest rule to follow after your treatment is to wear compression leggings during your recovery period. Compression leggings or compression socks are very tight-fitting garments that compress the veins in the legs to encourage blood flow to healthier veins while the varicose or spider veins are collapsing from the injectable solution. By wearing compression socks, you will be able to achieve your desired results much more quickly.
As a rule, it’s usually recommended to wear compression leggings or socks for about two weeks. You should wear your compression garments for most of the day every day, unless you are showering or unless you have other directions. You may also be directed to keep your legs elevated or not cross your legs during your recovery period.
Activities
For the most part, you can usually return to your normal daily schedule on the same day as your treatment, except for driving, strenuous exercise, or other vigorous activity. If you have a job that involves a lot of standing, lifting, or other stressful movements, you may want to take one or two days off after your treatment.
You will be encouraged to engage in light activity on the days after your treatment. Walking around for a few minutes every hour will encourage better blood flow in the legs and ensure your results develop safely. If you are walking outside, please be sure to keep your legs covered to prevent sun exposure. You should not rub, jog, swim, or do any other strenuous exercise for at least two weeks.
When Will You See Results?
It will take some time to see the desired results from these treatments. In general, you should be able to see early results about three to six weeks after your appointment depending on the size of the vein being treated. With additional treatments, your results will improve until the affected vein fades and is absorbed by the surrounding tissues. Your appointments are usually spaced at least six weeks apart to allow for more time to see results so we can assess whether or not you need additional treatments.
For the most part, you can expect your final results to show up about four to six months after your first appointment for the treatment of large varicose veins. You may notice faster final results if you are treating smaller veins or spider veins. We can give you a better estimate of your result timeline when we assess the condition of your veins.
Are Results Permanent?
Yes, the results from this treatment are permanent. Any vein that has been treated by the special injectable solution will collapse and be absorbed by the body tissues, and since blood flow is directed to nearby healthy veins, the affected vein will not return. That said, new varicose veins and spider veins can form in the future.
The best way to maintain the results of your treatment is to understand what causes varicose veins and spider veins. Lifestyle factors such as too much standing, too much sitting, and being overweight are often causes of varicose veins, so staying at a healthy weight and being active can help prevent varicose veins. Pregnancy and other hormonal changes are also linked to developing these visible vein concerns.
Have Flawless Legs Again
The flawless legs of your youth are easier to get back than you think. Cosmetic concerns like varicose veins and spider veins are usually benign, and cosmetic treatments like sclerotherapy can help you restore the appearance of your legs. If you think this treatment is right for you, please contact us at Oceana Luxe Medspa in Corpus Christi, TX to schedule your consultation today.
