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A common treatment method to help cure varicose veins or spider veins is sclerotherapy. It is a non surgical procedure using a solution that is injected into the veins in order to eliminate them. This procedure is quick and painless. The duration should not be any longer than 30-60 mins, allowing time for treatment even during your lunch hour. The injection is micro, and involves a sterile solution that is forced into the veins, thus irritating the vein lining, eventually causing it to disappear. Multiple veins can be injected at each session.

Sclerotherapy does not require any type of anesthesia and is usually done inside a doctor's office. The patient will be asked to come to the office wearing loose fitting clothing as so the spider or varicose veins can be easily identified. Some may experience minor pain and may request a topical local anesthetic, which can be pasted on the skin about 30 minutes before the procedure. Most patients only feel a little sting after each injection, with a minor burning sensation lasting only a few seconds. Sclerotherapy works to close off a problem vein, allowing the blood to re-route through the normal veins.

Most patients will wear a compression stocking for a short period after the treatment, in case of any lingering problems with the veins. It is advised to undergo a few treatments (2-4) for best results, depending on the severity of the problem. Some patients might only need 1 or 2 treatments. For multiple spider veins, up to 15-20 injections can be done at each seating. Each session is usually done in monthly intervals.

Minor complications may arise after sclerotherapy, just as with any medical treatment, but it has generally been proven to be safe. You will be able to resume your normal daily activities almost immediately after each session. A full diagnosis should be administered by your physician to determine the risks and alternatives.

The full effect and benefit of the treatment usually takes several weeks and most patients will see a 50-90% improvement in appearance and symptoms. This reason alone is helpful when deciding how long to wait between sessions. The cost varies depending on the number of treatments needed, the doctor, or the region.

Some risks involved with sclerotherapy include:

Skin changing color along the treated vein which may take 6 to 12 months to disappear.
Recurring varicose veins
Itching and bruising pain where the veins were treated.
Blood clots or damage in the deep vein system.
A mild to severe reaction to the sclerosant.
Scarring resulting from ulcers or death of the tissue around the treated vein.

You will be able to best assess the pros and cons of the treatment after meeting your local physician. Be sure to see an experienced and trained doctor who you feel comfortable with. Determine the total cost, treatments needed and outlook before undergoing the procedure. Sclerotherapy is a proven and successful method to treat varicose and spider veins, and the majority of patients will see favorable and instant results.