Chances are you know what spider veins look like—perhaps you have them or know someone who does. They’re small red and blue veins, sometimes grouped in small starburst patterns and other times fanning out on the thigh or lower leg. Spider veins show up most often on the legs, but it’s also possible for them to appear on the face.
Spider veins tend to have an unsightly appearance and are most common in women.
Many women with spider veins choose to avoid wearing dresses, skirts, and shorts because of the presence of their spider veins. If this is something you’ve experienced, we have good news for you: It is possible to make these unsightly veins disappear in a simple, quick, and comfortable way!
What Is Sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a very effective and minimally invasive treatment for spider veins. It consists of injecting the affected veins with a sclerosing agent using a very tiny needle. The agent irritates the lining of the spider vein, causing the vein to collapse and turn into scar tissue, resulting in a clean, smooth appearance.
There are several sclerosis agents available, and our founder and medical director, Dr. Fadi Nukta, has conducted a thorough evaluation of the medical literature to select the agent that produces the best results with the fewest side effects. At NOVA Plastic Surgery, we use Asclera®, an FDA-approved agent that we have found to provide the best treatment. In our consultations, our highly trained clinicians and staff meet with you to determine your specific needs, and the concentration and volume of Asclera® is customized for you.
What Is the Sclerotherapy Procedure Like?
During your consultation with one of our highly trained staff members, we review the areas you would like to treat and the results you can expect. Together, we determine whether Sclerotherapy is a good solution for you.
The Sclerotherapy procedure is quick—it usually takes about half an hour. A tiny needle is used to inject the customized concentration and volume of the Asclera® agent into your spider veins. There can be very mild discomfort associated with the injection, but not enough to call for numbing agents.
After the procedure, medical-grade compression garments are used for 10 days. You can expect to see improvements in approximately four weeks. Some people see results in as little as two weeks, and some cases take up to 12 weeks.
As with any procedure, the Asclera® injection does have some risk. Potential side effects include itching, transient hyperpigmentation, sloughing skin, swelling, irritation, and bruising in the target area. These are generally minimal, short-term effects, but there is also a small chance that particular tissues could be damaged and contract infections.
Though it is possible patients may experience pain and discomfort during and after spider vein treatment, the Asclera® injection is said to be less painful than injections of other agents.
What Results Should I Expect?
Generally speaking, you can expect to see beautiful, smooth, clean results in the treated area in about four weeks! The time varies, however, and some patients may see their results in as little as two weeks or as much as 12 weeks.
Because spider veins often cover large areas of your lower extremities, you may need to come in for more than one session to treat all of your spider veins. Although the Asclera® injection is a lasting treatment, sometimes veins thicken again after a few years, creating new spider veins, in which case additional Asclera® injections may be used.
Why Trust NOVA Plastic Surgery for My Spider Vein Treatment?
NOVA Plastic Surgery is your Sclerotherapy expert providing spider vein treatment in Northern Virginia and Ashburn. Our highly experienced and professional team of plastic surgeons, clinicians, and staff are ready to help you remove your spider veins smoothly and quickly.
To hear directly from our founder and medical director Dr. Fadi Nukta, check out his video message about the treatment of spider veins.
We are looking forward to supporting you in your process of taking care of yourself and being dress-, skirt-, and shorts-ready! Book your consultation now or call 703-574-2588 to speak to a qualified staff member. We are ready to answer your questions!
