Sclerotherapy is just a fancy word for a procedure that involves injecting a substance into a vein which causes it to shrink up and eventually disappear. The substance we inject is called a “sclerosant”. There are many on the market but the most sophisticated, regulated and most commonly used substance is called sodium tetradecyl sulfate (Tromboject) – it’s been around since 1940. Once injected into very small veins this substance causes the vein to get inflamed ( this is why the spider veins often look more red for a bit after treatment) then shrink and eventually be dissolved by your own body over 3-4 weeks. Another substance we use is called Sclerodex. It is basically a mixture of sugar and salt. Both of these substances are very safe.They can occasionally cause a temporary skin reaction but this is uncommon. Sometimes a bit of light brown pigment will form over the vein. This too is uncommon and will resolve 95% of the time.
Sclerotherapy has been around for about a hundred years. It’s important to remember that spider and reticular ( blue, non bulging ) veins often need multiple treatments to fully disappear. This is not a marketing scheme just a reflection of our bodies rich and overabundant blood supply. But rest assured, these tiny (but often very prominent) veins serve no known, useful purpose and can safely and permanently be eliminated.
Spring is coming. It’s time to get “sclerosing”. Love your shorts again!
