Dr. Tatiana Khrom is proud to offer a wide variety of cosmetic and medical treatments for patients in Brooklyn, NY, and surrounding communities. This includes sclerotherapy, the gold standard treatment for reticular (one to three millimeters) veins and spider (less than one millimeter) veins on the legs.
Causes and symptoms of reticular and spider veins
You have veins throughout your body, including small ones near the skin’s surface. Healthy veins are not typically visible through the skin. However, vascular disease or injury can cause the valves within veins to malfunction. When that happens, blood flow within the vein is not properly controlled, causing pooling. The pressure stretches vascular walls, the vein enlarges, and it becomes dark in color. As a result, the vein is visible through the skin. Factors that increase your risk include genetics, obesity, pregnancy, and spending extended times standing or sitting.
The most obvious signs related to leg vein problems are cosmetic. Spider veins appear as thin, thread-like lines, often clustered around the ankle. Reticular veins are larger, sometimes bulging. Naturally, most people feel self-conscious wearing shorts, beachwear, or other attire that shows their legs.
In addition to visible signs, symptoms of spider and reticular veins include:
- Muscular fatigue or tiredness in the legs
- Itching, tingling, or painful sensations
- Ulcers, especially around the angles
- Thickened, leathery skin around the ankles
How sclerotherapy helps
Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure, utilizing an injectable formula to eliminate problematic veins without surgery. The sclerosant causes a reaction with tissue in the vascular walls. After treatment, the vein gradually seals itself off, and it is metabolized by the body. In the weeks following treatment, you will see the vein gradually fade away.
At Khrom Dermatology we use Asclera, and FDA approved sclerosant formula that minimizes patient discomfort. Each session takes between 15 and 45 minutes, and most patients need two to three treatments to see full results. You can resume most daily activities within a couple of days of sclerotherapy, and you will need to wear compression stockings for two or three days.
If you want to show off your legs with confidence, call Khrom Dermatology at 718-615-4002 and schedule a consultation to find out if you are a good candidate for sclerotherapy treatment.
