At MediSpa at Knoxville Dermatology Group, we provide Sclerotherapy, a spider vein removal procedure developed in the 1920s that treats the small purple and red veins often found on the thighs and/or lower legs. These blood vessels occur in men and women. They can be hereditary and often plague those who stand in their jobs. If you have spider veins on your face, we offer Laser Vein Treatment for their removal.

PREPARING FOR SCLEROTHERAPY

It is best to bring a pair of shorts to wear during the treatment. Bring your list of medications with you, and be able to describe any medical conditions you have.

GETTING SCLEROTHERAPY

During the procedure, a solution is injected into the veins using a very small needle. The solution, called a sclerosant, is irritating to the lining of the vein. This causes the inside of the vein to swell shut.

Because the vein is no longer getting blood supply, it scleroses or closes down. Immediately following the session, which generally is of 30 minutes duration, you will be placed in the compression stockings. These are thigh high, fitted for, dispensed, and paid for in our office.

SCLEROTHERAPY RESULTS AND RECOVERY

You will need to wear the compression stockings for about a week after your procedure. Wearing the stockings greatly enhances the outcome of Sclerotherapy. Generally, when you are finished wearing the compression stockings and take them off, bruising will be gone or nearly gone. The veins will continue toward closing off for 4-6 weeks after treatment.

Some veins are permanently gone at that time, while others may have some trapped blood in them. You will absorb this over time. In most cases, the clearing process looks no worse than the appearance of the veins before treatment. Often, after 3-4 weeks, there is a marked clearance.

The number of sessions you will need depends on how many veins you have. It is not uncommon for some veins that have been treated once to need a second injection. Conversely, many veins will resolve after one treatment. To retreat a vein, the ideal time to do so is 4-6 weeks after the first injection session.

For patients with a large number of veins, several appointments may be needed to get to each vein a first time.

IS SCLEROTHERAPY SAFE?

Our cosmetic clinicians at MediSpa at Knoxville Dermatology Group will see you in consult, making certain by your medical history that there are no contraindications to your having Sclerotherapy. We will answer any questions you have regarding the procedure. The consult and treatment is done on the same day, and there is no charge if you have the consultation only.

We will answer any questions you have regarding the procedure. The consult and treatment is done on the same day, and there is no charge if you have the consultation only.