You love to hate them, don't you? Spider veins can surely ruin the appearance of your legs and any other part of your body. These unsightly lines and circles on your skin are actually veins which have been damaged by excessive pressure exerted by factors like your body weight for one. This is why spider veins are more prominent on your legs and thighs.

Spider veins do not indicate any grave physical condition, but the reason most women are in an uproar against these unsightly spots on the skin is precisely that, they are unsightly and they make your legs look ugly. If you want to get rid of your spider veins, you can visit a skin clinic and, most probably, the doctor will talk about sclerotherapy.

What Is Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy has been used to treat faulty vein and nerve formations for over a century now. The procedure has adapted to new medical technologies available but the basic approach is still the same. And even today, it is still a popular choice for treating ugly vein malformations visible on the skin. This treatment involves the injection of a solution directly into the affected skin areas where venous problems like spider veins appear.

Sclerotherapy is actually a series of injections, where the patient does not only get a single shot but rather an average of twenty to fifteen injections per session, for one affected area. The solution being injected is normally composed of sodium chloride, anesthetic substance called lidocaine, and heparin which prevents blood clotting.

Unlike other cosmetic procedures, sclerotherapy requires no thorough preparation. However, if you are taking aspirin daily as a preventive maintenance for some other illness, it might be wise to abstain from this blood-thinner pill for a couple of days before having sclerotherapy; aspirin has been observed to interfere with the injected solution and jeopardize the whole procedure.

It is also important to know that while sclerotherapy can be performed on anyone who has a problem with unsightly vein appearances in the body; it can, nevertheless, have some unwelcome side effects like causing allergic reactions. The procedure can be accompanied by mild pain and excessive itchiness. And for a week or two, the area where the injection had been done can also become swollen and bruised; though you can still walk and do your chores. You can solve these aftereffects by taking over-the-counter painkillers and wearing the recommended elastic bandages to relieve pain and diminish the swelling.

If you are expecting a child or you are breastfeeding one, having sclerotherapy may not be a good idea for you. Cigarette junkies are also advised to abstain from smoking for a few days before the scheduled injections because tobacco substances can affect blood flow in your veins. People who are diabetic or those who have experienced blood clotting in their veins should refrain form this procedure too. Anyone who has complicated skin infections are also better off without sclerotherapy.

Once you have undergone sclerotherapy, your spider veins are off that specific area for good. Your next problem may be how to deal with the appearance of new problem areas. Also, remember that much of the success of this procedure depends on the skills of your skin doctor. There are cases where the solution is injected outside the intended vein; and this can result to too much pain and discoloration.

Spider veins, indeed, can be removed; but despite all the treatment methods available, newer spider veins can develop in other areas of your body. You need to be always on the look out for these unsightly appearances. You can use products like Veinuderm as your first line of defense against spider veins. For more information, you can visit