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Spider Veins
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Microsclerotherapy
Microsclerotherapy
Microsclerotherapy
Microsclerotherapy

Microsclerotherapy

This technique is used for treatment of spider veins.

Spider veins commonly present on the outside of the thighs and inside of the knees but can also involve any part of the legs and are sometimes seen on other parts of the body such as under the breasts, abdomen and face.

In some cases microsclerotherapy may be supplemented with other treatments such as Photoderm IPL laser or Elos Aurora. Elos Aurora is the treatment of choice for facial veins but lasers have proven to be very unreliable for leg veins because the veins are too deep in the skin for the laser to be consistently effective. Microsclerotherapy remains the treatment of choice for leg veins.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Microsclerotherapy work?

Microsclerotherapy involves the injection of a sclerosant (a solution of polidocanol, sodium tetradecyl sulphate or hypertonic saline) into the tiny spider veins through a very fine 30g needle. Polidocanol is the sclerosant most commonly used at Palm Clinic.

The sclerosant irritates and inflames the inside lining of the spider vein which stimulates your body's natural healing to close off the vein. There is no problem closing these veins as they are abnormal veins and the blood will be redirected through normal veins. Generally the spider veins are fed by deeper and slightly larger blue/green reticular veins.

These "feeding" veins need to be treated first by microsclerotherapy. Occasionally spider veins can be as a result of incompetence in the larger saphenous veins. Generally these veins cause varicosities if they are incompetent but sometimes the varicosities are not obvious on the skin and just show up as spider veins caused by the high pressure in the underlying incompetent saphenous vein. This can be determined, if suspected, by ultrasound mapping.

How long does the treatment take?

Microsclerotherapy treatments take 45 minutes and involve several injections. Most people find the injections a little "stingy" but not really painful. No pain relief or anaesthetics are required and most patients are happy to "chat" during their treatment. After treatment you are placed in Class 1 compression hosiery (available from Palm Clinic in flesh or black colours). You will then need to walk for half an hour, after which you can return to work or home.

What's it like after treatment?

We suggest you avoid straining or strenuous physical activity such as gym, tennis, golf for about two weeks after treatment. We recommend walking for one hour a day for the first two weeks.

What is the cost of Microsclerotherapy?

Depending on how many spider veins you have there may be between one to four treatments. Each treatment costs NZ$410 plus the cost of the hosiery which is NZ$66.