Despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle and taking excellent care of their legs and skin, many women in and around the Baltimore, Maryland area are still susceptible to spider veins.

These veins are often red and web-like in appearance and may become a noticeable aesthetic concern.

However, patients can safely and effectively banish spider veins with as little as one sclerotherapy treatment.

What Is Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a non-invasive procedure that targets and destroys spider, reticular, and small varicose veins.

It helps to close dilated blood vessels in the legs and lower extremities and reroute blood flow to healthy veins.

Who’s a Good Candidate for This Treatment?

Healthy women that want to improve the appearance of their legs or alleviate pain and discomfort caused by spider veins or small varicose veins are good candidates for sclerotherapy.

This treatment should not be performed on patients that are pregnant, older that 75, have compromised venous circulation, have clotting issues, are at risk for DVT, have a vein infection, or have an acute illness.

Patients should also discontinue anti-inflammatory medication (i.e. ibuprofen or Motrin) one week before sclerotherapy and should be completely off of blood-thinners prior to treatment.

What to Expect from a Sclerotherapy Session?

A typical sclerotherapy session can take 15-60 minutes depending on the number of veins being targeted. To begin, the treatment area is sterilized, and the patient will lay on her back with legs slightly elevated.

The provider will then inject a chemical known as a sclerant directly into the affected vein. This substance irritates, inflames, and ultimately scars the vein wall. As a result, the spider vein closes and is reabsorbed by the body.

Most patients find sclerotherapy to be a fairly comfortable treatment and some may note a mild stinging or burning at the injection site.

Post-Treatment Instructions

Immediately after the procedure, patients are placed in a compression garment or stockings to help collapse the vein and prevent blood from being trapped within it. Most physicians recommend wearing compression stockings for one to three weeks.

It’s also important to promote circulation post-procedure with light walking. Patients are able to return to work and resume normal activities that same day.

Patients may note that their legs appear bruised, red, or swollen after a sclerotherapy session, and these effects will gradually resolve over the next three weeks.

Want to know more about sclerotherapy treatment in Baltimore, Maryland? Call the Vein Center of Maryland to schedule an appointment today.

We are conveniently located in Westminster, Eldersburg, Baltimore, Hunt Valley and Bel Air.

We also service Ellicott City and Columbia in Howard County.