| Spider Veins or telangiectasia,
are small, dilated, tortuous red or blue blood vessels
(capillaries) that are visible on the skin surface.
They occur in areas where there is accumulation of
fluid in the skin, such as the legs and ankles. Chronic
fluid accumulation in these areas can result from
gravitational forces on the veins, injuries, weight
gain or medications. Chronic fluid accumulation can
eventually damage valves within large veins leading
to backflow of blood and body fluids into the skin.
Spider veins arise on the skin surface as a natural
accommodation to this backflow.
Injection sclerotherapy is
characterized by the micro-injection of a sclerosing
(scarring) solution into these tiny capillaries.
The sclerosing solution irritates the inner lining
of the capillaries so that they eventually scar
closed and become invisible. FDA-approved sclerosants
include hypertonic saline and Sodium Tetradecyl
Sulfate (Sotradecol or STS).
Sclerotherapy can also be
performed using a laser that targets small blood
vessels. This type of laser is called a vascular
laser; there are many different types of vascular
laser. Laser sclerotherapy is
usually not as effective for larger veins, compared
to injection sclerotherapy. The combination of
both injection and laser sclerotherapy techniques
(Nd-Yag Vascular Laser) is often performed, depending
on the specific needs of each individual.
Sclerotherapy does not harm
the circulation. Brown discoloration (hyperpigmentation)
may appear on the skin after injections, and it
gradually fades over months, but sometimes over
years. Pain during injections is reported by patients
as very slight. Fading of spider veins is a slow
process and maximum improvement may require many
months and two or more treatments. Compression
stockings should be worn after the treatment for
up to 1 week; this helps to promote permanent closing,
scarring and disappearance of the tiny vessels.
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