Will Spider Veins Come Back After Treatment?
The specific veins I treat won't come back. Once they're gone, they're gone. But can new spider veins form over time? Yes. If you have a genetic tendency toward them, or if you stand or sit for long hours at work, new ones can appear in different spots. That's not a treatment failure. That's your body doing what it does. Many of my Irvine patients come back once or twice a year for maintenance sessions to address new ones as they pop up. It's quick and it keeps their legs looking clean year-round. I (Dr. Mirrafati) been doing sclerotherapy for over 30 years, and most importantly, I am the one injecting it and not a nurse
Sclerotherapy vs. Laser for Spider Veins
For most spider veins on the legs, sclerotherapy is the gold standard. I inject a solution directly into the vein, it collapses, and your body reabsorbs it over a few weeks. It works on blue, purple, and red veins of various sizes. Laser works better for very tiny red veins, especially on the face, and for patients who are needle-phobic. I use both depending on the vein size, location, and color. Sometimes we combine both in one session for the best result. The mistake I see from other providers is using only laser on leg veins that are too large for it. Laser alone on bigger spider veins gives mediocre results.
What a Treatment Session Looks Like
Sessions take 20 to 30 minutes. No anesthesia needed. The needle is tiny and the solution causes a mild stinging that fades quickly. You walk out of the office and go back to your normal day. I recommend wearing compression stockings for a few days afterward to help the treated veins collapse properly. You'll see the veins start fading over two to four weeks. Most patients need two to three sessions spaced a month apart for full clearance.
Why You Shouldn't Wait
Spider veins don't improve on their own. They usually get worse over time. If you have a few now, you'll have more next year. Treating them early means fewer sessions and better results. I see Irvine patients who waited ten years and now have extensive spider veins that take four or five sessions to clear. If they'd come in when they first noticed them, it would have been one or two sessions.
Location and Booking
Our office at 3140 Red Hill Ave in Costa Mesa is a quick drive from anywhere in Irvine. Call (714) 544-8678 to schedule for Costa Mesa office. Spider vein consultations are free, and we can often do your first treatment the same day if you're ready.
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