A common form of treatment for spider veins is sclerotherapy. This is an in-office procedure where veins are injected with a solution, using small needles, which causes them to collapse and fade from view. The procedure typically improves the cosmetic appearance of the area treated. A few sessions may be required to obtain maximum benefit.
During sclerotherapy, the affected leg is elevated to drain blood, and the sclerosant is injected into the spider vein. The procedure normally takes 5 to 30 minutes, depending on how many spider veins are treated. This form of spider vein treatment may be slightly painful, and the chemical (sclerosant) that is injected can cause a feeling of burning or cramping for a few minutes in the treated area. You may need repeated sessions and many injections per session depending on the extent of the spider veins and type of sclerosant used. Some patients elect to have the treatment performed under a light sedation ("twilight sleep")
