Sclerotherapy in Houston Heights

Spider veins on the legs are an extremely common concern, affecting millions of men and women. These small, visible veins can appear as red, blue, or purple clusters that spread across the thighs, calves, and ankles, making you feel self-conscious about showing your legs. While spider veins are typically harmless, they rarely improve on their own and often become more prominent over time. Sclerotherapy offers a proven, effective solution to eliminate these unwanted veins and restore smoother, clearer-looking legs.

At Houston Wellness & Aesthetics, we perform sclerotherapy to help patients reduce the appearance of spider veins and small varicose veins. Our experienced providers will evaluate your concerns and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

What Is Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment that has been used for decades to treat spider veins and small varicose veins. It is considered the gold standard for leg vein treatment due to its safety, effectiveness, and minimal downtime.

During the procedure, a specialized solution called a sclerosant is injected directly into the targeted veins using a very fine needle. The solution irritates the inner lining of the vein, causing it to swell, stick together, and collapse. Over time, the treated vein is reabsorbed by the body and fades from view. Blood that previously flowed through the treated vein is naturally rerouted to healthier vessels.

What Can Sclerotherapy Treat?

Sclerotherapy is highly effective for treating visible veins on the legs, including:

  • Spider veins (small, web-like clusters of red, blue, or purple veins)
  • Reticular veins (slightly larger, bluish veins that often feed into spider veins)
  • Small varicose veins

For very large varicose veins or veins that cause significant symptoms, other treatments may be more appropriate. For facial spider veins, laser vein treatment is typically recommended. During your consultation, your provider will assess your veins and recommend the best approach for your situation.

What Causes Spider Veins?

Spider veins develop when the tiny valves inside blood vessels weaken or malfunction, allowing blood to pool and the vessel walls to expand. Several factors can increase your likelihood of developing spider veins, including:

  • Genetics and family history
  • Aging
  • Hormonal changes from pregnancy, menopause, or birth control
  • Prolonged standing or sitting
  • Weight fluctuations
  • Sun exposure

While you cannot always prevent spider veins from forming, sclerotherapy can effectively treat them once they appear.

What to Expect During Treatment

Sclerotherapy is performed in our Houston Heights office and typically takes 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the number of veins being treated. No anesthesia is required, and most patients find the procedure very tolerable.

Your provider will cleanse the treatment area and use a fine needle to inject the sclerosant solution into each targeted vein. You may feel a mild pinch or slight burning sensation with each injection, but discomfort is minimal and brief. The number of injections depends on the size and number of veins being treated.

After your injections are complete, compression may be applied to the treated areas to help the vein walls seal together and improve results.

Recovery and Aftercare

One of the benefits of sclerotherapy is that it requires little to no downtime. Most patients return to their normal activities immediately, though you may be advised to avoid strenuous exercise for a few days.

You will likely be instructed to wear compression stockings for a period of time following treatment to support healing and optimize results. Walking is encouraged to promote healthy circulation. You should avoid prolonged sun exposure to the treated areas to prevent discoloration.

Some common side effects include mild bruising, redness, or tenderness at the injection sites. These typically resolve within a few days to a couple of weeks. Occasionally, patients may notice temporary darkening along the treated vein, which fades over time.

Results

Treated veins typically begin to fade within a few weeks, with continued improvement over the following two to three months. Spider veins often respond more quickly, while larger reticular veins may take longer to fully disappear.

Most patients achieve significant improvement after one to three treatment sessions, depending on the extent of their veins. Once a vein is successfully treated, it is permanently eliminated. However, sclerotherapy does not prevent new spider veins from forming in the future, so some patients choose to return for maintenance treatments as needed.

Am I a Good Candidate for Sclerotherapy?

You may be a good candidate for sclerotherapy if you have visible spider veins or small varicose veins on your legs and are bothered by their appearance. Ideal candidates are in good overall health and have realistic expectations about the results.

Sclerotherapy may not be recommended if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a history of blood clots. During your consultation, your provider will review your medical history and determine whether sclerotherapy is appropriate for you.

Why Choose Houston Wellness & Aesthetics?

Effective sclerotherapy requires precision and expertise to achieve optimal results while minimizing side effects. At Houston Wellness & Aesthetics, our providers are experienced in treating leg veins and take a personalized approach to every patient. We will assess your veins carefully, answer your questions, and develop a treatment plan designed to help you feel confident showing your legs again. Explore all of our vein treatment options.

Schedule Your Consultation

Ready to eliminate spider veins and enjoy clearer, smoother legs? Contact Houston Wellness & Aesthetics to schedule your sclerotherapy consultation at our Houston Heights office. We will evaluate your concerns and help you determine the best treatment plan for your goals.

Contact us or call +1 (346) 537-5650 to book your appointment today.