The "gold standard" treatment for spider veins is sclerotherapy. This is considered a cosmetic procedure and is usually not covered by insurance or Medicare. One of two FDA approved vein solutions are used to perform cosmetic sclerotherapy — Sotradecol® or Polydocanol®. These vein solutions are significantly safer and have a better side effect profile than the old, hypertonic saline solution. The vein solution is injected into the spider veins with a small micro needle causing the spider veins to close. The spider veins eventually disappear with time.
While sclerotherapy treatment for spider veins continues to provide the best cosmetic results, laser vein removal can occasionally be the better choice. For facial spider veins, laser vein removal is typically better.
