Treatments
Sclerotherapy: A Simple Treatment for Spider Veins and Smaller Varicose Veins
Sclerotherapy is a time-tested, in-office treatment that fades spider veins and treats smaller varicose veins with a quick injection — no incisions, no downtime. It's the standard treatment for cosmetic spider veins, and it also plays an important role in treating the smaller veins that remain after other vein procedures.
Cardentey Vascular Care offers sclerotherapy with an important advantage: a board-certified vascular surgeon checks for any underlying vein problem first, so treatment is done right and results last.
What is sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a procedure in which a solution is injected directly into a vein, causing it to collapse, close, and gradually fade from view. The body reabsorbs the treated vein over several weeks, and blood reroutes to healthy veins. It's a quick, in-office treatment most often used for spider veins and small varicose veins.
What does sclerotherapy treat?
Sclerotherapy treats spider veins (the fine surface veins), reticular veins (the slightly larger bluish "feeder" veins), and smaller varicose veins. It's also commonly used to clean up remaining surface veins after a faulty underlying vein has been closed with ablation or VenaSeal. For larger veins, a foam version of the solution (foam sclerotherapy), often guided by ultrasound, can be used.
Why see a vascular specialist for sclerotherapy?
Because the spider veins you want treated are sometimes fed by a larger, hidden vein problem — and treating only the surface veins without addressing that source often leads to them coming back. A vascular specialist can perform an ultrasound to check for underlying venous insufficiency first. If there's a deeper issue driving the visible veins, addressing it leads to better, longer-lasting results than treating the surface alone. This is the difference between treating veins and simply chasing them.
What is the procedure and recovery like?
The procedure is quick and done in the office, often in 15 to 30 minutes, with no anesthesia needed beyond the small injections themselves. You can typically return to normal activities the same day, though strenuous exercise and sun exposure are usually limited briefly, and compression stockings may be recommended for a short period. More than one session is often needed depending on how many veins are being treated, and treated veins fade gradually over several weeks.
Is sclerotherapy covered by insurance?
Sclerotherapy for cosmetic spider veins is generally not covered by insurance, because it's considered elective. When sclerotherapy is used to treat symptomatic varicose veins or as part of medically necessary treatment for venous insufficiency, it may be covered. We're upfront about what's likely to be covered and what isn't, so there are no surprises.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Yes — sclerotherapy is the standard and effective treatment for spider veins. The injected solution causes the vein to collapse and fade over several weeks as the body reabsorbs it. Multiple sessions are sometimes needed for the best result, depending on how many veins are present.
Most people tolerate sclerotherapy well. You'll feel small needle pricks and sometimes a brief stinging or cramping sensation as the solution is injected, but the discomfort is minor and short-lived. No anesthesia is needed beyond the injections themselves.
It varies with the number and size of veins being treated. Some people see good results in one session, while others need two or three spaced a few weeks apart. Your specialist will estimate this after evaluating your veins.
Treated veins generally don't return, but new spider veins can form over time, especially if there's an underlying vein problem or ongoing risk factors. Checking for and treating any underlying reflux first gives the most durable results.
Smooth, clear legs — done right
If you'd like to treat spider veins or smaller varicose veins, sclerotherapy is a quick, in-office option. An evaluation first confirms there's no underlying vein problem, so your results last.
Call our Largo office to schedule a consultation, or request an appointment online.