Sclerotherapy for Spider Veins
Spider veins are small, visible blood vessels that appear on the skin's surface, creating red, blue or purple web-like patterns. Medically known as telangiectasia, they typically don't cause serious health problems, but these visible vessels can be unsightly and affect your confidence in showing your legs and ankles. They may also indicate underlying venous issues that deserve attention. At Prevosti Vein Center in Canton, Dr. Louis Prevosti offers expert sclerotherapy treatment for spider veins using precise injection techniques.
With over 30 years of specialized cardiovascular expertise and 15 years focused exclusively on vein disorders, Dr. Prevosti has performed and overseen thousands of sclerotherapy sessions. His meticulous approach addresses visible spider veins while evaluating for any underlying venous insufficiency that might cause new ones to form.
What Is Sclerotherapy for Spider Veins?
Sclerotherapy is a procedure that eliminates spider veins by directly injecting a sclerosing agent into the unwanted vessels. The FDA-approved medication, Asclera (polidocanol), causes the veins to close down. Your body then naturally absorbs the collapsed veins over the following weeks and months, causing them to fade from view.
This proven technique has been used for decades and remains the standard of care for treating spider veins and small reticular veins. Dr. Prevosti's extensive vascular experience and technique enable him to identify which vessels to treat and which injection patterns will produce optimal outcomes.
Schedule your consultation to learn more about spider vein treatment in Canton.
How Does Sclerotherapy Work?
Dr. Prevosti uses Asclera, a detergent sclerosant that has been extensively studied and proven effective for treating spider veins. The sclerosing agent works by damaging the cells lining the inner vein wall (the endothelium), which leads to the vein closing down. Once closed, the vein can no longer carry blood, so your circulatory system redirects blood flow through deeper, healthy vessels. The treated veins gradually break down and disappear as your body's natural processes absorb the collapsed vein.
The precision of direct injection allows Dr. Prevosti to target specific problem areas without affecting the surrounding tissue. His cardiovascular surgical background provides the steady hand and detailed anatomical knowledge needed to inject even the smallest vessels accurately.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Sclerotherapy?
You may be an excellent candidate for sclerotherapy if you have visible spider veins or small reticular veins that concern you. These tiny vessels often appear on the thighs, calves, ankles or behind the knees. Many patients seek treatment when spider veins affect how they feel about wearing shorts, skirts or swimwear.
If you notice a large cluster of spider veins developing near your ankle in a fan-shaped pattern (called corona phlebectatica), this is a significant sign of chronic venous insufficiency. In this situation, Dr. Prevosti will recommend a diagnostic ultrasound to check for venous insufficiency in the deeper veins. Addressing any underlying venous problems first may be helpful in relieving symptoms and for successfully treating large clusters of spider veins.
Good candidates for sclerotherapy typically have realistic expectations about results. While this treatment effectively eliminates existing spider veins, it alone cannot prevent new ones from developing over time. Pregnant women should wait until after delivery to pursue sclerotherapy treatment. Patients with a history of blood clots or certain medical conditions require careful evaluation before proceeding.
What to Expect From the Sclerotherapy Process
Comprehensive Evaluation
Your consultation begins with Dr. Prevosti examining the spider veins you want to address. He evaluates the pattern, size and location of visible vessels while assessing your overall leg health. Spider veins can present in a radial pattern (like a spider's web), a branched pattern (like a fan) or a linear pattern. Understanding these patterns helps guide treatment decisions.
Dr. Prevosti may recommend a diagnostic venous duplex ultrasound to check for underlying venous insufficiency, particularly if you have symptoms such as leg aching, heaviness, swelling or specific patterns that suggest deeper vein problems. This thorough evaluation enables him to develop a treatment approach that addresses visible concerns while considering your complete venous health.
During this consultation, Dr. Prevosti takes the time to explain what sclerotherapy can and cannot achieve. He discusses the typical number of treatment sessions needed, expected results and any factors that might affect your outcomes. His straightforward and compassionate approach helps patients make informed decisions about their vein care.
Treatment Day
Sclerotherapy sessions typically take 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the number and extent of spider veins being treated. We recommend wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing on your lower body the day of treatment. You can bring your own shorts or change into ones we provide you just prior to treatment. You will need medical-grade compression stockings to wear immediately after your sclerotherapy session. We have knee-high and thigh-high compression stockings at the office if you need to purchase some.
You can drive yourself to and from your appointment. No anesthesia is used for spider vein sclerotherapy, as the fine needle used for the treatment is the same size as an anesthesia needle would be. Injecting local anesthesia near spider veins can also interfere with their treatment.
Dr. Prevosti begins by cleaning the treatment area with alcohol. Using a very fine needle, he injects small amounts of Asclera directly into the targeted veins. You may feel a slight pinch with each injection, but most patients tolerate the procedure comfortably. The number of injections varies based on the number of veins that require treatment.
After the injections are completed, treated veins may appear red or slightly raised. This immediate reaction is normal and indicates that the medication is working. Over the next several days, the spider veins may change to a darker color. This is a good sign because it signifies that the veins have closed down, which is necessary for the veins to be absorbed and fade away. Dr. Prevosti and his team provide detailed post-treatment instructions to optimize your results and minimize any temporary side effects.
Immediate Aftercare
Following sclerotherapy, you can walk, drive and resume normal light activities immediately. Dr. Prevosti typically recommends wearing compression stockings for three days after treatment to help the treated veins close down and improve results.
For two days, Dr. Prevosti recommends you avoid strenuous exercise, hot baths and saunas. Walking, regular yoga and light upper-body exercises are okay during this time. After three days, full exercise can be resumed with no activity restrictions. Dr. Prevosti recommends wearing sunscreen on the treated areas for three months. He provides specific guidance based on your individual treatment and circumstances.
Sclerotherapy Recovery and Results Timeline
Recovery from sclerotherapy is minimal. Most patients experience no significant discomfort after treatment. You may notice some mild bruising, redness or slight swelling near the injection sites, which typically resolves within a few days.
Treated spider veins initially appear darker as they close down. The fading process occurs gradually over two to three months as your body absorbs the collapsed vessels. Some veins may disappear more quickly, while others take longer. It is not uncommon for veins to need more than one treatment session to resolve completely. Results of sclerotherapy can be unpredictable, and some spider veins prove resistant to treatment. In these situations, Dr. Prevosti sometimes recommends switching to laser treatments.
How Many Sclerotherapy Sessions Will I Need?
The exact number of sessions is unpredictable and depends on the extent of your spider veins and how they respond to treatment. Most patients require more than one treatment session. Dr. Prevosti evaluates your progress during follow-up visits and determines when additional sessions would be beneficial.
Why Choose Dr. Prevosti for Sclerotherapy
Dr. Prevosti brings unique qualifications to spider vein treatment:
- Specialized expertise: His exclusive focus on vein disorders means he treats spider veins regularly, not as an occasional cosmetic add-on to another specialty
- Proven experience: Having performed and overseen thousands of sclerotherapy sessions, he understands which injection techniques produce the best results while minimizing side effects
- Comprehensive evaluation: Dr. Prevosti looks beyond surface appearance to identify any underlying venous insufficiency that might affect your outcomes
- Advanced credentials: Board-certified in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, diplomat of the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine, with RPVI and RPhS ultrasound status
- Patient-centered approach: Dr. Prevosti personally performs all evaluations and treatments, taking time to address your questions and concerns
Experience Expert Spider Vein Treatment in Canton, GA
Spider veins are usually just a cosmetic issue, but occasionally they signify a deeper vein problem. They deserve the attention of a vein specialist who understands the complete picture of your venous health. Dr. Prevosti's decades of cardiovascular experience and dedicated focus on vein disorders provide patients throughout Canton and North Georgia with expert sclerotherapy treatment.
His meticulous injection technique, thorough evaluation process and compassionate care help patients achieve clearer, more confident legs. If spider veins affect how you feel about your appearance, contact us today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Prevosti.