Washington, Mar 16 (ANI): An increasing number of men are opting to remove spider veins over hair transplants, reports The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) as part of its results of 2007 Procedural Data.

The survey, which was based on a poll of the Academys U.S.-based members, shows a 226.3 percent increase in male sclerotherapy since 2002.

Findings conclude that sclerotherapy, the standard treatment for spider and varicose veins, is now the number two most performed cosmetic surgical procedure, due in large part to men.

Sclerotherapy has seen a 226.3 percent increase in males over the past five years. A drastic comparison to the 3.5 percent increase in females since 2002.

On the opposite end, males have strayed away from hair transplants. Experts say that the high cost is likely to be a cause of this decline.

Over five years, the price of hair transplants increased by 1,296 dollars, while sclerotherapy decreased by 103 dollars.

Cosmetic surgeons have experienced a boost of males wishing to receive sclerotherapy, said Dr. Steven Hopping, MD, President of the AACS.

Now, there are notably fewer stigmas associated with men receiving this procedure, he added.

The 2007 Procedural Data is based on a survey of U.S.-based AACS members completed in December 2007. (ANI)