Sclerotherapy is performed as an in-office procedure to eliminate spider veins and small to medium size varicose veins. Injections with needles smaller than those used for flu-shots are performed directly into the abnormal veins. Following this 15-20 minute treatment, the patient can resume nearly all activities. A support stocking is worn during the daytime for a few days after the procedure which aids in the closure of the veins.
Although a variety of laser and light source therapies are currently available to treat spider veins, these have been effective in the treatment of facial spider veins, but challenging for the treatment of spider veins on the legs.
Currently, sclerotherapy remains the treatment of choice for eliminating most unwanted leg spider veins, with lasers offering a complementary treatment modality in only a select group of people.