Spider and varicose veins can be a cosmetic inconvenience, but we can help! Melanie L. Adams, M.D., P.A is proud to offer our patients access to sclerotherapy, one of the most effective, leave invasive methods of vein removal available today.
Melanie L. Adams, M.D., P.A provides the highest quality of dermatological care to patients in the Columbia area of Maryland. If you’d like more information about our practice or are interested in scheduling a consultation appointment for any of our services, contact us today!
What is Sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a non-invasive, injection-based procedure used to eliminate varicose and spider veins. The technique has been used for decades and has proven to be a safe and effective way to address visible veins.
How Does it Work?
During a sclerotherapy treatment, a salt solution, referred to as a “sclerosing agent,” is injected through a fine needle directly into the target spider or varicose vein. The salt solution irritates the blood vessel, causing the walls to stick together and collapse in on themselves. As the walls of the blood vessel collapse, the blood inside of it clots, sealing the vessel shut. Scar tissue begins to form and continues to seal the vessel until blood stops flowing through it altogether. Over time, this blocked vessel is removed from the body, leaving behind no trace of the addressed vein.
What is a Sclerotherapy Treatment Like?
While some people experience mild discomfort during the injection process, most are able to undergo sclerotherapy treatments with little to no complications. The treatment process can take anywhere between 15 and 30 minutes to complete, and additional injections may be needed to remove the target vein completely. Because the collapse of the treated vein is gradual, it can take small veins between three and six weeks to respond to treatment, while larger veins may take as long as three to four months to begin to fade.
Is Sclerotherapy Right for Me?
While nearly anyone interested in eliminating a spider or varicose vein is a potential candidate for a sclerotherapy treatment, patients with certain medical conditions may need to seek out an alternative method of vein removal. Sclerotherapy may not be safe for individuals who are pregnant or have a history of blood clots.
Before undergoing a sclerotherapy or laser vein removal treatment, patients must first schedule a consultation appointment with a member of our dermatological staff. After evaluating the location, size, and depth of the patient’s vein along with their medical history, a member of our staff will decide which method of vein removal is right for their individual case.
Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive, fast, and effective way to remove stubborn spider and varicose veins. If you live in the Columbia area of Maryland and are interested in undergoing a sclerotherapy treatment, contact Melanie L. Adams, M.D., P.A today to schedule a consultation appointment. We look forward to hearing from you!
