Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure used to treat varicose veins and "spider veins." During sclerotherapy, the physician injects a solution directly into the affected vein. The solution irritates the lining of the vessel, causing it to swell and stick together. Over time, the vessel turns into scar tissue that fades from view. Sclerotherapy is a well-proven procedure and has been used since the 1930s.
How successful is sclerotherapy in treating varicose and spider veins?
Sclerotherapy works well for most patients. It is estimated that between 50 and 80% of injected veins may be eliminated with each session. A few people (less than 10%) who have sclerotherapy do not respond to the injections at all. In these instances, different solutions or a different method, such as laser therapy, may be tried.