Sclerotherapy New York – Spider Vein Treatment
What is Sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a nonsurgical, minimally invasive procedure introduced in the early 20th century to treat and eliminate spider veins. By injecting a specialized solution into the affected veins, sclerotherapy causes them to collapse and gradually fade, relieving the associated symptoms.
This highly effective skin treatment can help rid you of unsightly veins that may be causing discomfort. Here at Metropolitan Vein and Aesthetic Center, we specialize in Sclerotherapy spider vein removal and have a reputation for top-quality vein treatment in Inwood/Washington Heights, New York, and Corona, Queens.
Common Risk Factors for Spider Veins
Spider veins are small, visible ones commonly appearing on the legs and face. They develop when superficial veins expand due to increased pressure or vein weakness. While anyone can be affected, certain groups are more susceptible due to genetic, physiological, and lifestyle factors.
- Pregnancy: Hormonal changes and increased blood volume during pregnancy can lead to spider veins.
- Age: As the skin and blood vessels age, the likelihood of developing spider veins increases.
- Gender: Women are more likely to develop spider veins, partly due to hormonal fluctuations.
- Lifestyle Factors: Prolonged standing or sitting can impede blood flow, contributing to the formation of spider veins.
- Obesity: Excess weight increases pressure on the veins, leading to deterioration.
- Heredity: A family history of vein diseases can raise your risk of developing spider veins.
- Hormonal Changes: Conditions that cause hormonal changes (such as puberty and menopause) can predispose individuals to spider veins.
- History of Blood Clots: Previous vascular problems may damage the valves in the veins, increasing the risk of spider veins.
Patient Reviews
It was a great and very informative experience The staff was amazing and the process for it went well. The results have been amazing. Thanks to the amazing team as well as the follow up process by the staff.
– Carlos I.
I am very happy with the results I fully recommend Dr. Adam Goldman to anybody. They are very friendly and the staff is very professional they explain all procedures in great detail.
– Aldonza A.
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Locations
Washington Heights
4915 Broadway suite 1A
New York NY 10034
Corona, NY
37-73 103rd St.
Corona, NY 11368
Symptoms of Spider Vein Disease
Individuals with spider veins may experience a variety of symptoms, including:
- Inflammation: The affected areas can become inflamed, causing discomfort.
- Skin Damage: Untreated spider veins can change skin texture and color over time.
- Blood Clots: Though rare, clots can form in areas affected by spider veins.
- Eczema: Skin near varicose veins may develop eczema, becoming itchy and flaky.
- Ulcers: Severe cases can lead to painful ulcers, especially near the ankles.
- Swelling: Legs may swell, particularly after long periods of standing.
- Skin Discoloration: The skin around affected veins may darken.
- Throbbing/Aching Legs: The legs may throb or ache, feeling heavier than usual.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and think you might be at risk for spider veins, consult a specialist at Metropolitan Vein & Aesthetic Center. Our team is ready to help you restore the health and appearance of your legs.
Good Candidates for Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure used to treat varicose veins and spider veins. A person may be a good candidate for sclerotherapy if they meet the following criteria:
- Presence of varicose or spider veins: The primary reason for undergoing sclerotherapy is to treat unsightly or uncomfortable leg veins.
- Symptoms related to varicose veins: If the person experiences pain, heaviness, itching, or cramping in the legs due to varicose veins, sclerotherapy can help alleviate these symptoms.
- No serious underlying health conditions: Patients should be in generally good health without any serious medical issues that could complicate the procedure or healing process.
- No pregnancy: Pregnant women should not undergo sclerotherapy, as it can be harmful to the fetus. They should wait until after pregnancy and breastfeeding to consider the treatment.
- Realistic expectations: Patients should understand that sclerotherapy may require multiple sessions and that the results may not be perfect. The treated veins may not disappear completely, and new veins may develop over time.
- Willingness to follow post-treatment instructions: Patients must follow their doctor’s recommendations for post-treatment care, such as wearing compression stockings and avoiding certain activities.
It’s important to note that our specialists will evaluate to determine if sclerotherapy is the most appropriate treatment option for you.
Your eligibility will depend on your medical history and the veins needing treatment.
Preparing for Your Sclerotherapy Procedure
Before your sclerotherapy procedure, your doctor will discuss the treatment details and pre-procedure instructions. You may need to avoid certain medications, such as specific antibiotics, aspirin, NSAIDs, or Prednisone. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns about your medications.
After the procedure, avoid these medications for 48 hours and refrain from hot baths, saunas, direct sunlight, or heat.
What Can You Expect During Your Appointment?
When you arrive for your sclerotherapy appointment at our NYMetro Vein, you can expect a comfortable and professional experience. Here’s what you can anticipate during your visit:
- Consultation: If you haven’t already done so, you’ll meet with one of our skilled vein specialists to discuss your medical history, symptoms, and goals for treatment. They will examine your veins and determine if sclerotherapy is your best option.
- Preparation: If sclerotherapy is recommended, you’ll be asked to change into a gown or shorts to expose the treatment area. Your specialist will then clean the skin around the targeted veins.
- Mapping: Your specialist will use a marking pen to map out the veins to be treated. This ensures precise and comprehensive treatment.
- Injection: Using a fine needle, your specialist injects a sclerosing solution directly into the targeted veins. You may feel a slight pinch or cramping sensation, but the procedure is generally well-tolerated without anesthesia.
- Massage: After the injection, your specialist may massage the treated area to help distribute the solution and promote the closure of the veins.
- Compression: After the procedure, you’ll be fitted with compression stockings or bandages to wear. These help minimize bruising and promote healing.
- Recovery: Most patients can return to normal activities immediately after the procedure. However, you’ll be advised to avoid strenuous exercise, hot baths, and direct sun exposure for a few days.
- Follow-up: You’ll schedule a follow-up appointment to assess your results and determine if additional treatments are needed. Most patients see significant improvement after 2-4 sessions.
At NY Metro Vein, we prioritize your comfort, safety, and satisfaction. Our experienced vein specialists are dedicated to providing the highest quality care and achieving the best possible results for our patients.
Your eligibility and results will depend on your medical history and the veins needing treatment.
Recovering From Your Sclerotherapy Treatment
Following your spider vein removal procedure, you can return to most of your normal activities with some limited restrictions. For the best results, we recommend taking it easy, staying out of the sun for at least four weeks, and following up with your vein doctor.
Side Effects and Complications to Be Aware Of
Sclerotherapy is a safe treatment, but some patients may experience some side effects. These can include:
- Swelling at the site
- Burning at the site
- Night cramps
- Bruising at the site
- Skin discoloration
- Itchiness
The most common side effects of nonsurgical spider vein removal treatment include staining (reddish, bruised appearance), matting (pink and bluish tint), and brown spots (discoloration at needle insertion sites). These side effects typically fade on their own, taking weeks to months to disappear.
Rarely, more severe complications like skin ulcerations can occur if the medication damages small arteries or skin. Proper technique and choice of sclerosant by an experienced provider are crucial to prevent such complications. The Metropolitan Vein and Aesthetic Center’s extensive experience has ensured thousands of patients have not experienced this complication.
Timeline for Results and Treatment Effectiveness for Patients
The results of sclerotherapy injections performed on small spider veins can take from three to six weeks to appear. More prominent veins can take three to six months. Remember that you may need more than one treatment session.
Insurances Accepted
Contact the office to verify if your treatment is covered by insurance. We accept patients without health insurance.
Schedule Your NY Sclerotherapy Consultation Today!
If you are living with spider veins, let a specialist at the Metropolitan Vein & Aesthetic Center in Inwood/Washington Heights and Corona, Queens, relieve you of your symptoms and unsightly spider veins through Sclerotherapy. Schedule your consultation today with a laser vein doctor in New York City to determine if you are a candidate for Sclerotherapy and what kind of results you can expect from this vein treatment.
See other options for varicose vein and spider vein treatment.
Q&A for Sclerotherapy Patients in New York
Let Metropolitan Vein and Aesthetic Center answer your most pressing questions about sclerotherapy.
How Long Does the Sclerotherapy Procedure Take?
The sclerotherapy procedure can take between 15 and 30 minutes, depending on how many spider veins we need to treat and what conditions those veins are in. Most patients can receive treatment during their lunch break and return to their day right after the procedure.
Where Are Your NYC Sclerotherapy Treatment Centers Located?
We have a vein treatment center in Inwood, New York. Our address is 4915 Broadway Suite 1A, NY, 10034, conveniently near the 207 St. metropolitan station and bus stop.
We also have a Corona, Queens center at 37-73 103rd St, Corona, NY, 11368.
Is Sclerotherapy Painful?
Our Sclerotherapy procedures use extremely thin needles, so patients do not require anesthesia. There can be some mild discomfort as the solution from the injection enters the targeted vein, and the sclerosant is mixed with a local anesthetic, so numbing occurs immediately with the injection.
Who Performs Sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a skill that is taught to many medical specialties during training. Vascular doctors, Dermatologists, and generalists can acquire the basic skills to perform the procedure. However, as in most skills, experience is key. Search for a medical provider with the most experience to achieve the fastest and best results. At the Metropolitan Vein and Aesthetic Center, we have performed sclerotherapy treatments on over 20,000 patients and treated the legs, face, and torso.
Can Sclerotherapy Be Performed on Any Area of the Body?
Although sclerotherapy is most commonly used on the legs, it can work on most areas of the body as long as the veins are not very large. We will always assess the area to ensure sclerotherapy is the best option.
How Many Treatments Are Typically Required to Achieve the Desired Results?
Some people only need one or two sclerotherapy sessions to start seeing results, but others can need up to four treatment sessions. We can recommend how many treatments you may need during your consultation with us.
Are There Any Specific Precautions I Should Take Before My Sclerotherapy Session, Such as Ceasing Certain Medications or Wearing Compression Stockings?
To prepare for a sclerotherapy procedure, you need to avoid taking blood thinning and anti-inflammatory medications or supplements, including:
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen
- Vitamin E
- St. John’s Wort
- Fish oil
You may also need to avoid certain antibiotics.
At least 24 hours before your appointment, stop shaving the treatment area. Shaving can irritate the skin. You also want to avoid putting lotions on other products on the area.
Compression stockings are recommended during recovery, so plan on their use after the procedure.
Are There Any Limitations on Physical Activity After Sclerotherapy?
It is helpful to walk as you recover from the sclerotherapy procedure. In fact, you are able to resume all normal activities, including driving yourself home immediately after the procedure. You should, however, avoid exercise, immersing directly in water such as swimming, hot tubs, saunas, and steam rooms for three days after, as the skin will be inflamed and irritated and more prone for bacteria to enter. Therefore, activities that will cause excessive sweating or allow water to enter should be avoided meticulously after the procedure. Showering and the use of running water and soap are encouraged as they will avoid the chance of secondary infection. Also, lotions or moisturizers should be avoided the immediate day after the procedure but may be used without consequence.
How Do I Care for the Treated Area After Sclerotherapy?
Wearing compression stockings for one but up to four weeks after the injections is recommended. Showering and the use of soap will help the healing process, as well as a moisturizer after the first twenty-four hours if the skin is noticeably dry or irritated. Strict avoidance of direct exposure to sunlight, including tanning beds, is strongly recommended, as tanning the skin during the healing phase can cause discoloration, which can become permanent. Therefore, covering the affected area or judicious use of sunblock if sun exposure is unavoidable is strongly recommended.
How Effective Is Sclerotherapy Compared to Laser Treatments for Spider Veins?
Laser treatment is not as effective as sclerotherapy on spider veins. It will take longer to treat an area and is generally more painful. With a laser therapy, the entire length of the vein must be treated individually. Versus sclerotherapy can often treat an entire individual vein and entire areas of the vein with one longer injection as they are networked together. The longer injection is painless as the sclerosant is always mixed with local anesthetic. This is opposed to laser therapy, which must treat each vein separately, and therefore, the overall procedure is more painful and usually less effective.
How Much Does a Sclerotherapy Session Cost in NYC? Does Insurance Typically Cover It?
The cost of a sclerotherapy therapy session can depend on many factors, including the vein size, how much solution we have to use to treat it, and even its location. Costs can be anywhere from $250 to $900. During our first consultation, we will discuss the exact costs you can expect per session and the number of sessions you may need.
In most cases, insurance does not cover sclerotherapy, which considers the treatment as cosmetic. Check with your insurance provider for details.