Here at Spotless Vein Care, we offer several types of treatment for varicose veins. For spider veins, sclerotherapy is the treatment of choice. These veins are sealed using a chemical that is injected directly into the vein or topical laser that seals the vein from the outside. For larger veins, either a phlebectomy (removal of the vein) or laser ablation is performed.
A phlebectomy consists of tiny incisions (not much bigger than an IV line) through which the damaged section of vein is removed. With laser ablation, a thin laser filament is placed inside the damaged vein, delivering energy that seals the vein shut, ultimately allowing them to disappear.
All these procedures are done in an office setting under local anesthesia (affecting only the area being worked on). Patients walk in for the procedure and are able to walk out after the procedure. The average time is approximately one hour, depending on the amount of varicose veins and the severity of damage.