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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What causes spider veins to be visible?
- Can spider veins be prevented?
- How are the veins treated?
- How long is it until there is a noticeable result?
- How long does it last?
- Can sclerotherapy be used on all skin types?
- Are there any side effects to sclerotherapy?
The cause of spider veins is not very well known. In many cases they seem to run in families. There may be a relationship in some people to hormone therapy, pregnancy, and the birth-control pill.
Spider veins can't always be prevented. Wearing support hose may prevent some unwanted blood vessels from developing. Dr Day says that keeping one's weight at a normal level and exercising regularly may also be helpful. Eating a high-fiber diet and wearing low-heeled shoes can also help. And as always, sun protection is important too.
In the majority of cases, a procedure called sclerotherapy is used to treat unwanted blood vessels. A formulated solution is injected with a very fine needle directly into the unwanted blood vessel. This procedure has been used for spider veins since the 1930s and before that for larger veins. In our facility, Dr Day mostly treats the smaller superficial veins.
Over 2-4 weeks, the vessel turns into scar tissue that fades, eventually becoming virtually unnoticeable or invisible. A single blood vessel may have to be injected more than once, some weeks apart, depending on its size and response to treatment. In any one treatment session a number of vessels can be injected.
Spider veins may recur, however, it may seem that a previously injected vessel has recurred, when, in fact, a new spider vein has appeared in the same area.
Yes. All skin types and skin colors respond equally well.
In some instances, there may be some possible side effects. There may be irritated skin at the sites of injection, which disappears within a day or so. There are other possible side effects, which would be discussed by contacting Dr Day.
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Intended for Canadian Residents.
