Sclerotherapy
Are you bothered by your spider veins? While these tiny, visible veins that are easily seen from under the skin usually pose no health threat, people who have spider veins may feel embarrassed or want to cover that area of their body. Dr. Wattenberg, Dr. Lefkowicz and Dr. Manning at NY Skin RX can treat spider veins in Manhattan through sclerotherapy.
What are spider veins, and how do they form?
Clinically known as telangiectasia, spider veins are small, thin, twisted blood vessels that are visible underneath the skin.
- Genetics
- Pregnancy
- Weight gain
- Standing or sitting for extended periods of time
- Medication side effects
What is sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a treatment that entails using very fine needles to inject a solution into spider veins. The solution irritates the lining of the vessel, causing it to swell and stick together, and causing the blood to clot. After a few weeks, the targeted veins collapse and are absorbed by the surrounding tissue. Eventually, they fade and are no longer seen. Sclerotherapy is completely safe, and proven to be effective at treating spider veins.
What can I expect during and after my procedure?
A course of sclerotherapy usually requires one to five treatments, and each treatment lasts about 30-60 minutes. The number of treatments you need will be determined by the severity of your specific case of spider veins. Side effects during the procedure may include mild discomfort, slight swelling, bruising, and redness at the sites of injection.
Sclerotherapy is minimally invasive and, like many of the state-of-the-art procedures offered at NY Skin RX, has little downtime. You can drive yourself home from the appointment and resume your normal daily routine right away. We encourage patients undergoing sclerotherapy to walk after the procedure. You also may be instructed to wear support hosiery to compress the blood vessels. Please avoid taking aspirin and anti inflammatory medication for 7 days prior to the procedure to help avoid bruising. In addition, you must avoid sun exposure for 2 weeks after the procedure.
Am I a candidate for sclerotherapy?
Before undergoing sclerotherapy in New York City, you should consult with your dermatologist to make sure that you are a good candidate for the procedure. Sclerotherapy is safe for most healthy individuals, although pregnant women are advised against undergoing the procedure. If you have blood clots or have a history of blood clots, please let us know so that Dr. Wattenberg, Dr. Lefkowicz and Dr. Manning can determine your eligibility for sclerotherapy.
Sclerotherapy in New York City
Sclerotherapy is just one of the ways that the board-certified dermatologists in Manhattan at NY Skin RX use cosmetic dermatology to address aesthetic flaws and improve your appearance. Living with spider veins on your body can make you feel self-conscious; regain your confidence by seeking sclerotherapy treatment today. To learn more about sclerotherapy and how it could benefit you, give us a call at (212) 288-3200 to schedule a consultation.
NY Skin RX provides state-of-the-art cosmetic and medical dermatology services to patients in Manhattan, the Upper East Side, and throughout New York.