Spider veins are small, dilated capillaries that form just beneath the skin’s surface that may occur anywhere from the thighs down to the ankles. They appear as clusters of blue or red lines and can become larger and more extensive over time. Common locations for spider veins include the back and side of the thigh, the calf area, and just below the knee and the ankle. While spider veins are not painful or dangerous, many people choose to seek cosmetic treatment to remove them.

Benefits of Sclerotherapy

  • Non-surgical and non-invasive
  • No downtime
  • Polidocanol is effective and safe
  • Treatment is once a month with an average of 4 sessions needed
  • Proven results patients love

How It Works

The procedure, sclerotherapy, treats spider veins in the legs and thighs with a series of monthly injections. We use Polidocanol, an FDA-approved sclerosing agent which we inject directly into the veins causing them to collapse.

What To Expect

Sclerotherapy treatments are quick are performed monthly for an average of four sessions, each lasting less than 30 minutes. This traditional method of treating spider veins on the legs has been around for more than 100 years, and is proven to be the safest and more effective sclerosing agent available. In order to achieve optimal results, we recommend that our patients wear support stockings for 2 weeks after each session until all treatments are complete. The treatments work for years, but occasionally require touch-up injections as needed.

Recovery

After each treatment, patients can expect redness, tenderness, and swelling. Treated veins may also leak small amounts of blood under the skin causing temporary bruising and discoloration.

Most patients can return to normal activities the same day as their sclerotherapy treatment. We recommend wearing compression socks for two weeks after each treatment. Simply remove them for bathing then replace them when skin is dry.

How Long Until the Veins Are Gone?

The number of treatments needed and time to see your final results depends on a few factors. These include the strength of the sclerotherapy solution, the thickness of the treated veins, the type of injection given, and skin complexion. Our vein specialists advise patients to expect to see a significant improvement within the first two months of treatment. Initial results may be noticed within the first two weeks. Upon returning for each follow-up session, your provider will observe the progress of the treatment and assess how many more treatments may be needed.

What Are the Risks of Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a very low risk treatment. The most common side effects from sclerotherapy include:

  • Bruising
  • Swelling
  • Darkened spots or lines on the skin
  • Raised red areas
  • Multiple tiny red blood vessels
  • Small skin sores

Side effects usually subside after a few days to a week.

Is Sclerotherapy Painful?

Our experienced providers use the latest injection techniques which increase the comfort of the procedure. Patients typically tolerate sclerotherapy very well. Some parts of the treatment area may be more sensitive than others. Even patients who consider themselves needle-phobic often report that their sclerotherapy treatment was only minimally uncomfortable. The combination of our skilled injectors and using the best equipment make for the most comfortable treatment possible.

Provided at These Locations

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Palm trees and storefronts on Rodeo Drive, home of Moy, Fincher, Chipps Facial Plastics & Dermatology at 421 N. Rodeo Drive

Beverly Hills

421 N. Rodeo Drive, 2nd Floor
Beverly Hills, California 90210

(310) 274-5372
The entrance to Golden State Dermatology's Brentwood office at 1200 Central Blvd., under a white pergola

Brentwood

1200 Central Blvd., Ste. D
Brentwood, CA 94513

(925) 308-9510
Clock Tower Place in Carmel, home of Golden State Dermatology's Carmel office

Carmel

100 Clock Tower Place
Suite 250
Carmel, CA 93923

(831) 308-4570
Golden State Dermatology's Modesto office at 1324 Nelson Avenue

Modesto

1324 Nelson Ave., Suite B
Modesto, CA 95350

(209) 524-9481
The Melchor Pavilion entrance at 2490 Hospital Drive, home of The Menkes Clinic in Mountain View

Mountain View

Melchor Pavilion 2490 Hospital Drive, Suite 201
Mountain View, CA 94040

(650) 962-4600
The California Cancer & Research Institute building at 400 Taylor Boulevard in Pleasant Hill

Pleasant Hill

400 Taylor Boulevard,
Ste. 301
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

(925) 687-8882
NorCal Vein Specialists' Pleasanton office building on Stoneridge Mall Road

Pleasanton – Vein Treatment

5700 Stoneridge Mall Rd., Ste. 120
Pleasanton, CA 94588

(925) 494-0898

Sacramento – Fair Oaks

2625 Fair Oaks Blvd
Ste. 1 & Ste. 4
Sacramento, CA 95864

(916) 646-3376
Center for Dermatology & Laser Surgery at 5601 J Street in Sacramento

Sacramento – J Street

5601 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95819

(916) 454-5922
NorCal Vein Specialists' Sacramento office building at 107 Scripps Drive

Sacramento – Vein Treatment

107 Scripps Dr., Ste. 220
Sacramento, CA 95825

(916) 282-3159
Exterior of the St. George Dermatology office with its window signage

St. George

Ventana Medical Park
230 North 1680 East, Suite N
St. George, UT 84790

(435) 680-3376

St. Helena

1104 Adams St., Ste. 201
St. Helena, CA 94574

(707) 967-0800
South Bay Dermatology's office building at 3400 Lomita Blvd. in Torrance

Torrance – Lomita Blvd.

3400 Lomita Blvd., Ste 503
Torrance, CA 90505

(310) 257-1988