Sclerotherapy is a common treatment for varicose and spider veins that has been used since the 1930s. Sclerotherapy involves an injection of a solution (usually salt water) directly into the affected veins. The solution causes the blood vessels to immediately shrink, and then dissolve over a period of weeks as the body naturally absorbs the treated vein.
According to a recent piece by NewBeauty Magazine, the treatment once common amongst women has seen an overpowering boost in popularity among men. The number of men undergoing sclerotherapy over the past five years has more than doubled! According to sources, more men are treating their unpleasant leg veins instead of opting for once-popular hair transplants.
Itching and raised red areas at the injection site are just a few mild side effects of sclerotherapy that should disappear within a few days. In addition, bruising may occur around the area of the injection and can last several days or weeks. A second treatment is sometimes needed to treat resistant vessels a few months later to achieve best long term results. As with any cosmetic treatment, it is important to have sclerotherapy performed under the supervision of a board-certified plastic surgeon
This isn’t the first time Americans have seen a spike in male cosmetic treatments. Time Magazine reported that the number of men having BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments tripled from 2001 to 2007. Men currently make up 7% of the BOTOX® community. With the recession and high unemployment rates, many men are seeking out said cosmetic treatments to maintain an edge it the workplace. Perhaps the growing frequency of male cosmetic surgery in popular media is starting to take effect on the male population as well.