Sclerotherapy – Vein Clinic in Mississauga
Spider leg veins are a common complaint in both men and women. These unsightly veins can make you feel self-conscience about your appearance.
Dr. O’Neill is an expert in sclerotherapy, a safe and effective method of spider leg vein removal.
Want to wear shorts again without fear of visible spider veins? Sclerotherapy may be your solution.
How it works
Medication is safely injected into these unwanted spider leg veins, by Dr. Karen O’Neill at our Mississauga clinic. They subsequently disappear in a few months. The chemical solution used irritates the lining of the vein, causing its walls to thicken and stick together in a process called sclerosis. Circulation is restored through healthy veins. The sclerosed vein is absorbed over time.
One session takes 15 -20 minutes. Multiple visits may be required depending on the number of veins.
Sclerotherapy in Mississauga/Oakville is a safe, affordable, effective way to improve unsightly spider leg veins. Improvement is seen in 8 to 12 weeks on average. Wearing support hose, exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight are important to reduce developing new veins.
To get truly effective results, you’ll need a series of treatments. Think of it like working out: results are cumulative.
Vein Clinic Mississauga
Dr. O’Neill specializes in sclerotherapy of spider leg veins. Sclerotherapy was invented over 100 years ago! It is a proven procedure to eliminate unwanted spider veins. Spider veins are small, fine red, blue or purple veins. They look like a thin line, spider webs, or tree branches. Sclerotherapy is chiefly done for cosmetic improvement of spider veins. Sclerotherapy may also improve:
- Aching or heavy sensation
- Swelling
- Burning or itching sensation
- Night cramps
What you can expect about Sclerotherapy at our Mississauga Vein Clinic
The procedure is done in our office, without anesthesia. It takes about 20 minutes on average. We suggest you wear a pair of shorts, and do not apply cream or oil, or shave immediately prior to your visit. After cleansing the skin with alcohol, Dr. O’Neill will use a very fine needle to inject a sclerosing solution into the unwanted vein. You will have a cotton ball taped to each injection site. Bring loose pants to wear home over these cotton balls, which are removed in 2 hours. You can drive yourself home and resume your daily activities.
For the first 48 hours after your treatment please avoid:
- Hot bath/sauna/whirlpool tub
- Direct exposure to sunlight
- Vigorous cardio exercise – walking is encouraged
The treated area may have a red or purple spot at the injection site. Some larger spider veins initially look a bit bruised, and you may feel firmness in the sclerosed veins. This is actually the dried blood within the vein. Some patients (especially those with darker skin type) may notice brown discolouration called hyperpigmentation at the treated area during the healing process. This hyperpigmentation may take months to fade.
What are the possible side effects of sclerotherapy?
Side effects are uncommon, and chiefly occur at the site of the injection including:
- Bruising
- Small red areas
- Darkening of the skin in the form of spots or lines
- Multiple new tiny red blood vessels
These side effects typically go away within a few days to several weeks.
Please inform Dr. O’Neill about any of the following:
- Medications or supplements you take which may increase your risk of bruising, especially aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), blood thinners (Coumadin, warfarin, Plavix)
- Past history of blood clots
- Allergies
- Previous treatment for spider or varicose veins
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Spider leg veins typically clear in 8 – 12 weeks. If you have many veins, multiple sclerotherapy treatment sessions will be required. Veins that respond to treatment generally don’t come back, but new spider veins may appear. Studies show 60 – 80% of treated veins clear with each treatment session.
We can’t wait to help you achieve more beautiful legs!
Providing you with an individualized comprehensive skin health program.
Get In Touch
Dr. Karen O’Neill, FRCPC
Cosmetic Dermatologist
2145 Dunwin Drive, Unit 6
Mississauga ON, L5L 4L9
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