Spider veins are more common than many people realize. In fact, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that about 55% of women and 45% of men have spider veins. While typically harmless, spider veins can make you feel less confident wearing shorts, dresses, swimsuits, or anything that shows your legs.
The good news is that you don’t need to keep covering spider veins forever. One common treatment option is sclerotherapy, a minimally invasive procedure that uses targeted injections to help close and fade unwanted spider veins. In this article, we’ll explain what causes spider veins, how to treat spider veins with sclerotherapy, what to expect during treatment, and where to find the best med spa in Marina del Rey for spider vein removal.
What Are Spider Veins and Why Do They Happen?
Spider veins are small red, blue, or purple veins that appear close to the surface of the skin. They often look like thin lines, branches, or tiny webs, which is where the name comes from. Many people notice spider veins on their legs, especially around the thighs, calves, ankles, or behind the knees.
So, what causes spider veins? In many cases, they develop when small veins or blood vessels weaken and become more visible beneath the skin. Several factors can raise your chances of developing them, including:
- Genetics
- Aging
- Pregnancy
- Hormonal changes
- Weight changes
- Long periods of sitting or standing
Spider veins do not always mean something serious is going on. Most people want spider vein removal for cosmetic reasons. Still, it is worth paying attention to your symptoms. If you also have leg swelling, aching, heaviness, bulging veins, skin changes, or worsening discomfort, a medical evaluation can rule out a deeper vein concern.
How Can You Treat Spider Veins?
Once spider veins appear, at-home products can only do so much. Makeup, self-tanner, creams, and body oils can help camouflage the area temporarily, but they cannot treat the vein itself. For more noticeable improvement, many patients turn to professional spider vein treatment.
One of the most common options is sclerotherapy for spider veins, a non-surgical spider vein treatment that uses targeted injections to safely and effectively close unwanted veins. Asclera injections are a type of sclerotherapy treatment. During treatment, a doctor will inject the solution directly into the targeted spider vein, where it irritates the vein's lining and causes it to close.
Once the treated vein closes, blood naturally reroutes through healthier nearby veins. Over time, the body absorbs the closed vein, allowing it to fade. This process can help reduce the appearance of spider veins on legs without surgery or significant downtime.
What Happens During Asclera Treatment?
Patients often have questions about the Asclera process itself. Does sclerotherapy hurt? How long does it take? What is sclerotherapy recovery like? Here’s what patients can generally expect before, during, and after Asclera injections.
Before Asclera Injections
- Schedule a spider vein consultation to review your visible veins, discuss your goals, and determine whether Asclera treatment is the most appropriate option.
- During the consultation, you’ll review your medical history with your provider, including medications, allergies, pregnancy status, clotting history, and any previous vein treatments.
- Follow pre-treatment instructions, which may include avoiding lotions, oils, or certain products on the treatment area before your appointment.
During Asclera Injections
- Your provider will identify the spider veins that need treatment, then clean and prepare the area before starting the injections.
- Using a fine needle, your provider will inject Asclera directly into the targeted veins. You may feel a quick pinch, mild stinging, pressure, or brief cramping as the solution enters the vein. These sensations usually pass quickly.
- Your provider may treat several veins during the same visit, depending on your treatment plan.
- Once the injections are complete, your provider may apply compression to the treated area and review any aftercare instructions before you leave.
After Asclera Injections
- Follow your aftercare instructions, which may include walking soon after treatment, wearing compression stockings as directed, and avoiding strenuous exercise, hot baths, saunas, or direct sun exposure for a short time.
- Watch for mild temporary side effects, such as redness, bruising, tenderness, raised areas, or discoloration near the treated veins.
- Give your results time to develop. In the weeks after treatment, treated spider veins gradually fade as your body absorbs them.
- Schedule any recommended follow-up visits so your provider can check your progress and determine whether additional Asclera treatment may help you reach your goals.
Are Asclera Injections Right for You?
You may be an Asclera candidate if:
- The veins you want to treat are small, visible spider veins on the legs
- Your veins are mostly a cosmetic concern rather than a source of significant pain, swelling, or heaviness
- You want to reduce the appearance of spider veins without surgery or anesthesia
- You are not currently pregnant or breastfeeding
- You have realistic expectations and understand that more than one treatment session may be needed
If your legs feel swollen, heavy, or painful, or if you have larger, bulging veins, your provider may recommend a more thorough vein evaluation before deciding on treatment. A spider vein consultation helps confirm whether Asclera injections are appropriate or whether another approach would better address your concerns.
Visit the Best Med Spa in Marina del Rey for Spider Vein Treatment
Spider veins are common, but that does not mean you have to keep covering them up. Asclera injections can help treat unwanted spider veins at the source, giving patients a minimally invasive treatment option with minimal downtime and visible improvement over time.
At Clear Medical, patients receive care from Dr. Shawn Abrishamy, the founder and medical director of the practice. Dr. Shawn earned his undergraduate degree in biology from California State University, Northridge, before earning his medical doctorate and completing clinical training in New York. With experience in general and cosmetic dermatology, advanced anti-aging facial aesthetics, and non-surgical aesthetic care, Dr. Shawn helps patients choose thoughtful treatment options that support their goals.
Ready to say goodbye to your spider veins? Schedule a consultation with the best med spa in Marina del Rey.
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