Spider Veins Vanish with One Injection of New Treatment

A new injection treatment for spider veins eliminates most veins with just one shot.

Called Asclera, the injection was approved by the FDA in March 2010. Dr. Neil Sadick, of Sadick Dermatology in New York City, demonstrated Asclera and said that with the injections, “We can make her [the patient’s] legs totally clear.”

Most red, blue or purple spider veins will vanish with just one injection; larger, deeper veins may take several shots.

“Asclera is a detergent solution called polidocanol. The detergent causes the vein to dissolve very rapidly,” said Dr. Sadick, explaining how the procedure works.

Patient Carol Cusa expressed her satisfaction with Asclera. “Dr. Sadick’s treatments are terrific, takes very little time, you can go right back to work. Next summer you won’t have to think about those veins,” she said.

In addition to only needing one injection for most veins, once the vein is gone, it shouldn’t return, so there’s no further maintenance.

ABC reported that the pain is minor and there is minimal bruising.

Effective sclerotherapy procedures such as Asclera are good news for women, as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates about 50 to 55 percent of women in the country suffer from some type of vein problem.

Dr. Branman offers several vein treatment options, including sclerotherapy and laser vein treatments with a Sciton laser.

For those who are looking for a less expensive alternative to sclerotherapy, Dr. Sadick suggested a bronzer for covering the veins.