Spider Vein Treatment
Asclera
Dr. Jonathan Zelken, MD · Board-Certified · Newport Beach, CA
Asclera is an FDA-cleared injectable that gently fades the small reddish-purple spider veins on your legs — so you can feel confident in shorts, skirts, and everything you've been covering up.
Approach
Dr. Zelken's Philosophy
Beautiful legs shouldn't require a cover-up. At the Zelken Institute for Aesthetic Medicine in Newport Beach, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jonathan Zelken approaches vein treatment the same way he approaches every procedure — with an artist's eye for a natural, refined result and a scientist's respect for how the body actually heals.
Asclera isn't about a dramatic overhaul; it's about quietly erasing the small, distracting veins that keep you from feeling confident in shorts, skirts, and swimwear. The goal is skin that simply looks clearer and more even — an improvement people notice without ever knowing quite why.
Every treatment plan is tailored to your anatomy and your goals, with conservative, honest guidance about what Asclera can and cannot do. If a different or additional approach would serve you better, Dr. Zelken will tell you.
The Treatment
What is Asclera?
Asclera is a minimally invasive injectable treatment for small, superficial veins — the kind of spider and reticular veins that surface on the legs. Its active ingredient is polidocanol, a sclerosing agent that is FDA-cleared to treat these pesky veins.
When injected, Asclera gently irritates the lining of the targeted blood vessel. That lining is replaced by connective tissue, the vein is reabsorbed into the surrounding tissue, and the damaged vessel fades from view over time.
Larger, more complicated veins may require surgery, but the smaller, more superficial veins that most people notice can often be treated — and frequently cleared — with a simple series of Asclera injections. Rather than focusing on the chemistry, Dr. Zelken keeps the concept focused on the result: clearer, smoother, more confident-looking legs.
What Responds Best
Which Veins Asclera Treats
Asclera works best on small, uncomplicated veins near the surface. During your consultation, Dr. Zelken confirms whether your veins are well suited to treatment.
- Spider Veins Uncomplicated spider veins measure one millimeter or less in diameter — the fine, web-like veins near the surface.
- Reticular Veins Uncomplicated reticular veins measure one to three millimeters in diameter and sit a little deeper beneath the skin.
Benefits of Asclera
Fades unwanted spider and reticular veins on the legs.
Minimally invasive — no surgery and no downtime.
Quick sessions, typically thirty to sixty minutes.
Performed in-office with an FDA-cleared agent.
Little to no discomfort with topical numbing.
Confidence to wear shorts, skirts, and swimwear again.
Is It Right For You
Who is a Good Asclera Candidate?
Veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart through a one-way valve system. Age, genetics, pregnancy, prolonged sitting or standing, and other factors can weaken those valves, letting blood pool so that surface veins appear.
If you find yourself covering your legs — skipping shorts, skirts, or swimwear because of small reddish-purple, web-like veins — you may be an ideal candidate. The best candidates are healthy adults bothered by uncomplicated spider or reticular veins who have realistic expectations. During your consultation, Dr. Zelken will confirm whether your veins are well suited to Asclera or whether a different approach would serve you better.
What to Expect
The Asclera Procedure
On the day of treatment, a topical numbing agent is applied to the area for your comfort. Depending on how large and dense the treatment area is, the session lasts anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour. Dr. Zelken carefully injects Asclera into each targeted vein. More than one session may be needed, but treated veins generally collapse and fade with time.
Aftercare Timeline
Aftercare & Recovery
Right After
- Walk for 15–20 minutes immediately after treatment, then keep walking daily over the next few days to keep blood moving.
First Week
- Wear your compression garment for up to a week for optimal results, and avoid heavy exercise, heels, and hot baths.
Travel & Sun
- Skip long plane flights and sunbathing for about a week while the treated veins settle and begin to fade.
Results Over Time
- Some patients see instant results after one session; others need multiple treatments as veins gradually collapse and fade.
The Outcome
Results & Longevity
Because Asclera treats the vein itself rather than masking it, the improvement you see is lasting. As the treated vessels are reabsorbed, the small reddish-purple lines that once drew the eye simply fade — leaving skin that looks clearer and more even.
Some patients are thrilled after a single session; others achieve their best result over a short series of treatments, especially where veins are dense. New veins can still form over time due to genetics or lifestyle, so occasional touch-ups may help you maintain smooth, confident-looking legs for years to come.
Transparency
Risks & Considerations
As with any injectable treatment, Asclera can cause temporary side effects such as redness, bruising, itching, raised areas, or brown discoloration at the injection sites — most of which resolve on their own. Dr. Zelken believes in complete transparency and will review every consideration with you during your consultation, and our team provides clear before- and after-care instructions to support the best possible result.
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Begin Your Journey
Ready for Smoother Legs?
If small spider veins have kept you covered up, contact us today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Jonathan Zelken and see whether Asclera is right for you.
Common Questions
Asclera FAQ
Answers to the questions we hear most often about Asclera and spider veins.
Spider veins, or telangiectasias, are the small reddish-purple, web-like veins that appear near the skin's surface, most often on the legs.
The active ingredient is polidocanol, an FDA-cleared sclerosing agent that irritates the vein lining so the vessel is reabsorbed and fades.
A topical numbing agent is applied first for comfort, and most patients find the injections very tolerable.
Most sessions last thirty minutes to an hour, depending on the size and density of the area being treated.
Some patients see results after one session; denser or larger areas may need more than one treatment for the best result.
Walk for 15–20 minutes afterward, wear compression for up to a week, and avoid heavy exercise, heat, and long flights.
Treated veins collapse and fade gradually; some people notice improvement almost immediately, while others see it develop over weeks.
Treated veins fade for good, but genetics and lifestyle can lead to new veins, so occasional touch-ups may help.