Sclerotherapy Sclerotherapy is a procedure commonly used to treat spider veins and varicose veins. Spider veins are very small varicose veins. They are thin, threadlike veins that lie close to the skin’s surface, and are commonly red or purple in appearance. Spider veins can be hormonally induced and associated with pregnancy and menstruation. Varicose veins are created by blood pooling in the veins due to leaking or failed valves in the vein that regulates blood flow. Risk factors for varicose veins include: family history, pregnancy, occupations that require standing for long periods of time and trauma. Common symptoms distinguishing varicose veins from spider veins are pain, fatigue, itching, swelling, cramping, restlessness and throbbing. Sclerotherapy is a micro-injection procedure that requires no pain medication or surgery. Abnormal veins are treated by injecting a solution called a sclerosant. This seals the vein off from the rest of the vein network in your leg, allowing the body to naturally redirect the blood flow to healthy veins. A typical treatment may last for 15 to 20 minutes and will consist of multiple microinjections. Endovenous Laser Treatment® (EVLT) In some cases, EVLT is used to treat varicose veins if determined that this treatment will be the most effective. The 45 minute laser procedure requires no general anesthesia or hospitalization, meaning no painful surgery or downtime. With EVLT, there is no scarring, you can immediately return to your daily routine, and the procedure is covered by most insurance carriers. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) This procedure works well on Microangiomata, which are small spider veins.