Veins

What causes spider and reticular veins?
Many different causes result in spider and reticular veins. One cause is heredity. Having a family member with vein issues increases your risk of you developing the same. Some risk factors include being female, as changes in hormones during puberty, pregnancy, birth control or menopause may increase the risk to get varicose veins. Being overweight or obese can also contribute to the formation of problematic veins. Behavioral decisions like prolonged standing or sitting can also be a risk factor. Age can also weaken the valves in the veins, making them perform less effectively.

What is the difference between spider veins and reticular veins?
Spider veins are smaller, very fine red or blue veins that are close to the skin’s surface. They are considered very small varicose veins that are less than one millimeter in diameter. Reticular veins (also known as feeder veins) are small blue and green varicose veins beneath the surface of the skin. They range from one to three millimeters in diameter. Both spider veins and reticular veins are oftentimes found on the legs, but can appear on other parts of the body.

What is sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure that involves an injection into the veins to treat spider veins and reticular veins. At Sublime, we offer Asclera spider vein removal, a form of sclerotherapy.

How does sclerotherapy or spider vein removal work?
An Asclera injection (a sclerosing agent) is injected directly into your vein. This solution irritates the inner wall of the vein, eventually causing the vein to collapse on itself. Asclera is a polidocanol injection that damages the endothelium, or cells lining the interior of blood vessels. Blood platelets clog or clot the blood vessel. Over time, the damaged vein is replaced by tissue.

How long does the treatment take?
A typical session lasts anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes. Each inch gets one injection, and you can expect to receive multiple injections per session. Treatment continues after your in-office visit as you are responsible for following instructions carefully. You may have to wear treatment compression stockings or supportive wear for 2 to 3 days and then for another interval of time during the day time. Depending on the severity of your veins, you may need to come back in for additional treatment sessions.

Why do I have to engage in post-treatment compression?
You must take precautions to avoid the risk of deep vein thrombosis. DVT is a potentially life-threatening condition in which a blood clot embeds in the deep veins of your body, usually the legs. You may not have any symptoms or may observe leg pain or swelling. Blood clots can travel through your bloodstream and lodge in your lungs to block blood flow and result in pulmonary embolism. Serious signs of a pulmonary embolism include sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, rapid pulse and coughing up blood.

What else can I expect after treatment?
The majority of patients may benefit from short walking sessions of 15-20 minutes immediately after treatment. You may be instructed to do this everyday for a few days.

What activities should I avoid after treatment?
You may benefit from avoiding a few activities such as heavy exercise, sunbathing, long plane flights, hot bathes and trips to the sauna. These activities may increase your risk for DVT.

What are the results?
Sclerotherapy can minimize the appearance of spider and reticular veins in a very short time (ranging from several weeks to a few months). The number of treatments varies.*

Who should not receive sclerotherapy with Asclera?
If you have a known allergy to polidocanol, an acute vein or thromboembolic disease or are pregnant/nursing, you should abstain from vein treatment with Asclera.

*Results will vary in each individual.