Microsclerotherapy - Crows Nest Cosmetic & Vein Clinic

Microsclerotherapy

Microsclerotherapy is the treatment of spider veins using a sclerosant liquid or foam which is injected into the small veins, causing them to close. A very fine needle is used to inject the sclerosant into the spider veins. Dr Nicole James injects the veins with the assistance of a magnifying light which allows better visualisation of the vessels. In the past, vascular laser was used to treat spider veins, and although it worked very well on facial veins, the greater pressures in the leg meant it was not effective in treating leg spider veins. We no longer offer this treatment. Microsclerotherapy is an internationally proven technique and the gold standard in spider vein treatment.

At the Crows Nest Cosmetic & Vein Clinic we generally use Polidocanol 1% foam, to treat the smaller veins. It was initially developed as a local anaesthetic, but is now used exclusively for varicose and spider vein treatment. It has advantages over the older vein treatments like hypertonic saline, in that it is less painful, and has a lower chance of skin ulceration. It causes less inflammation than Fibrovein sclerosant, which we use to treat the bigger varicose veins during ultrasound guided sclerotherapy.

Microsclerotherapy Treatment Overview

Using a special light and magnifying glasses, a very fine needle is placed into the vein and the sclerosant is injected into it. There is a limit to the amount of sclerosant that can be injected in one session and therefore a leg with multiple spider veins may need treatment over two sessions.

After microsclerotherapy, grade two compression stockings must be worn for seven days, this is to reduce pigmentation and inflammation.

We expect a 50 to 75% clearance with one treatment. The average patient will need between 1-3 treatments over a six-month period to achieve good results.

Some people find the thought of multiple fine injections a bit daunting so we can offer nitrous oxide gas to be used during the sclerotherapy sessions. It is safe to use and makes you feel very relaxed. It wears off quickly (within minutes) but driving is not recommended after its use. 

Not every spider vein will disappear and patients may need a number of sessions to achieve a good cosmetic outcome.

Injecting the sclerosant into a small spider vein
Using a vein light, the spider veins and the reticular veins that feed into the spider veins can be easily seen.

Booking an Appointment at our Clinic

For all vein appointments all you need to bring is your Medicare Card with no referral needed. We also supply and fit compression stockings. To discuss treatment and pricing options you can contact us here.

Booking an Appointment at our Clinic

For all vein appointments all you need to bring is your Medicare Card with no referral needed. We also supply and fit compression stockings. To discuss treatment and pricing options you can contact us here.

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