∗ results are not guaranteed and may vary from person to person

What is sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure done by a Registered Nurse Injector to treat uncomplicated spider veins and uncomplicated reticular veins. The treatment involves the injection of a solution into the affected 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.

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.

Other possible causes for varicose veins are race, posture, occupation, hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, primary valvular incompetence, and incompetent perforating veins.

Pre-Treatment Instructions:

• • Please refrain from taking the following 1 week prior to treatment:

Vitamin E, Aspirin, Ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications.

• • Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours prior to your treatment.
  • Thoroughly shave your legs and wash them with an antibacterial soap (Dial soap, for example) within 24 hours prior to your treatment.
  • Bring a pair of comfortable shorts to wear during the treatment.
  • Bring a pair of medical grade graduated compression hose (labeled 20-30mm HG) to the treatment. These can be purchased at most local drug stores such as CVS and Rite Aid. Please ask the pharmacist to assist you in finding if you are having difficulty.

Post Treatment Instructions:

• • Walk for 20-30 minutes immediately following the treatment and daily.
  • Wearing your medical grade graduated compression hose immediately following the treatment is imperative for optimal results. It is important that you sleep in them for the first night and wear them during your waking hours for the next 7-10 days post treatment. Please keep your post treatment pressure bandages on for the initial 24 hours following your treatment. Please Do Not shower or bath for 24 hours post treatment. You may cleanse yourself with water, soap and a washcloth.
  • Avoid: any cardio activity, prolonged heat exposure (hot tubs, tanning beds, etc…), running, jogging, high impact aerobics, long periods of sitting or standing still for 48 hours.
  • Expect the veins to look worse over the course of 4 to 6 weeks, before they look better. Resolution takes approximately 8 weeks, in some cases longer.
  • Call the office or email us with any questions or concerns you may have post treatment.
  • We recommend that you wait at least 4-6 weeks between treatments.

Other Important Information:

• • Although there is no guarantee in individual results, patients who are not compliant with the post treatment instructions have less than 20% success in vein clearing.

• The most common side effects of sclerotherapy are a slight burning sensation and/or itching at the injection site, but this usually only lasts for about 15-20 minutes, if it happens at all.
• Although it is incredibly rare, it is possible for certain skin types to have more pronounced allergic reactions with more intense itching or hives at the injection sites. Overall, the treatments are very safe and very comfortable.
• 3 treatments are often recommended for optimal results. Patients with very severe spider veins may need more.

. For more information about laser spider vein treatments click here.

∗ results are not guaranteed and may vary from person to person

Asclera
Asclera is a new, innovative approach to sclerotherapy. Asclera uses polidocanol to reduce and eliminate unsightly spider veins. The polidocanol treatment shows much higher patient satisfaction rate than other sclerosing agents, the staff at Style MedSpa will help you determine if Asclera is the right treatment for your veins.