Sclerotherapy Treatment for Men
What are spider veins? They're those thin reddish, blueish or purplish veins visible just under the surface of the skin, usually appearing in clusters around your ankles, calves and thighs. Then, what are varicose veins? Varicose veins are bulging blood vessels, typically darker in color than spider veins. For most men, they're also usually more painful. Spider and varicose veins can be caused by:
- Genetics
- Hormones
- Weight gain
- Prescription medications
- Overexposure to ultraviolet rays
- Occupations that require long periods of sitting or standing
Seeing as you're here at the Guy's Guide to Plastic Surgery for Men, you're probably a man who's wondering how to get rid of spider veins and varicose veins. Understandable. After all, you want to feel comfortable in shorts, swim trunks... in your own skin. The answer as to how to get rid of spider veins and varicose veins, whether you're a woman or a man, is sclerotherapy.
A sclerotherapy treatment is a relatively pain-free procedure in which a micro-needle containing a sclerosing solution of sodium chloride (saline) and lidocaine (a local anesthetic) is injected into spider or varicose veins. Over time—3 to 6 weeks for smaller veins, and 3 to 4 months for blood vessels—the solution causes the offending veins to collapse and dissolve. The result is clearer, healthier looking skin.
The fact is, although half of all adult women live with spider or varicose veins, men were responsible for a 226.3% increase in the number of sclerotherapy treatments between 2002 and 2007, whereas according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS), women accounted for only a 3.5% increase during that same time. So, if you're a man considering a sclerotherapy treatment, you're not alone.
So, what's sclerotherapy cost? In the table below, you'll find the answer, along with a lot more important information about sclerotherapy treatment for men with spider or varicose veins.
The Guy's Guide to Plastic Surgery for Men
Sclerotherapy Treatment of Varicose Veins & Spider Veins |
|
|---|---|
| The Numbers: | Men accounted for 5,372 of the sclerotherapy treatments performed in the U.S. in 2007 (Source: ASPS) |
| Objective: | To reduce the appearance of unsightly spider & varicose veins |
| Benefits: | Clearer, more youthful looking skin |
| Duration of Procedure: | Less than 45 minutes (for optimal results, 2 or more treatments are often recommended) |
| In/Outpatient: | Outpatient |
| Recovery: | No downtime, although men should initially avoid strenuous activities, as well prolonged sitting or standing |
| Sclerotherapy Cost: | $332 (Source: ASPS. National average, 2006. Physician fee only.) |
Although relatively new to American men, sclerotherapy has been used in Europe for over half a century (maybe it's why European men wear thongs and bikinis at the beach, and we American men wear trunks down to our knees). Anyway, the minimally-invasive procedure not only has a proven safety record, but the results are predictable as well. Still, as with any medical treatment, adhering to instructions provided to you by your plastic surgeon will help to minimize any risks.
If you're a man who's tired of living with unsightly spider and varicose veins, as well as the aches, pains and swelling often associated with them, take a moment now to Find a Plastic Surgeon in your area.