Leg and Spider Vein Treatments
The American Academy of Dermatology says that during sclerotherapy, your dermatologist injects a chemical into the spider or varicose vein, which irritates the wall of the vein. That is a plain description to hold a proposal against. A plastic surgery society also keeps a page on spider vein treatment for readers who want a second source.
The guides, by question
Each guide below takes one proposal and turns it into questions.
- Sclerotherapy for Varicose Leg Veins: whether a sclerotherapy quote fits the veins it is meant to treat.
- Ambulatory Phlebectomy for Varicose Veins: what that procedure is and what to ask when it is proposed.
- Surface Lasers for Spider Veins: what to ask when a laser is proposed for spider veins.
- Sclerotherapy Injections for Spider Veins: how an injection proposal for spider veins compares with the other options.
A dermatologic surgery society's vein treatments page is a good companion to all four.
Claims worth a second opinion
Two claims read better after a second opinion. One is a promise that a vein will not return. The other is a promise about how many visits it will take. Ask the provider what each one rests on, then ask a second provider the same question.
Which guide next
If your quote names an injection, start with the sclerotherapy guides. If it names a procedure with incisions, start with the phlebectomy guide. If it names a laser, start with the laser guide. Whichever you choose, ask what the quoted price includes and whether follow-up visits are part of it.