What to Do About Bothersome, Bulging Leg Veins

Are unsightly or bulging leg veins making you self-conscious about baring your legs? You’re not alone; millions of Americans have varicose or spider veins. In fact, over 40% of Americans report they have unsightly veins in their legs. 

The good news is that a safe and effective treatment can help you say goodbye for good to bothersome leg veins. At HK Dermatology in San Juan Capistrano, California, our providers use minimally invasive sclerotherapy to give you great legs again. Here, Jeffrey Klein, MD, and Atoussa Cameron, NP-BC, explain what you need to know. 

How does sclerotherapy treat bothersome leg veins?

Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive, in-office procedure that safely treats bothersome or bulging spider and varicose veins. It works by causing the vein to swell shut and eventually collapse. Once that happens, your body reabsorbs the cells as part of your body’s natural healing process. 

Our team simply injects a medicated solution directly into your affected veins. We use very tiny needles, and since these veins are near the surface of your skin, most people experience little-to-no pain. 

Once injected, the solution irritates the inside of your veins. That causes the veins to shrink and collapse. Your body then processes them as waste after about 4-8 weeks. 

Depending on the size of the treatment area, sclerotherapy can take anywhere from 15-60 minutes. You can walk and resume normal activities immediately. However, you’ll need to wear compression stockings for about two weeks after treatment. 

Am I a candidate for sclerotherapy?

If you have small to midsize varicose or spider veins, chances are good you’re a candidate for minimally invasive sclerotherapy. 

These veins form when the one-way valve that directs blood flow from your legs to your heart stops functioning properly. When that happens, blood pools in your veins, making them swell, bulge, and become visible through the surface of your skin. While any person can get spider and varicose veins, some factors increase your risk, including: 

• Being female
• Being middle-aged or older
• Being or having been pregnant
• Being overweight
• Standing or sitting for extended periods
• Having a family or personal history of vascular issues
• Having had an injury that caused swelling

Our team at HK Dermatology reviews your medical and family history and carefully evaluates your veins and symptoms to create a personalized treatment plan for your bothersome leg veins. 

If you’re not a candidate for sclerotherapy at HK Dermatology, we can provide a referral to a vascular specialist who can treat problematic and difficult-to-treat veins.

Want to learn if sclerotherapy is the correct treatment for your unsightly leg veins? Schedule a consultation online or over the phone with our team at HK Dermatology in San Juan Capistrano, California, today.