Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a popular method of improving superficial “spider veins” on the legs. A superfine needle will inject the affected area, delivering a special solution that shrinks and collapses the vein. This reduces blood flow in these veins and will diminish the appearance of red and blue surface vessels.

Does Sclerotherapy work for everyone?

Cosmetic improvement is noted within a few weeks following treatment. However, there is no guarantee that sclerotherapy will be effective in every case. Approximately 10% of patients who undergo sclerotherapy have poor to fair results. (“Poor results” indicating that the veins have not disappeared after six treatments).

How many treatments will I need?

Most cases require a series of sessions scheduled about eight weeks apart. The number of treatments can range from one to six, with the average number being three or four. Individual veins usually require one to three treatments.

How does the treatment feel?

Since very fine needles are used, the treatment is quite tolerable. You will feel small pricks in the skin with a little sting. It is much more tolerable than the saline solution that has been used in the past.

What happens after treatment?

After your treatment the area will likely be red, swollen or bruised for a while. The vessels themselves may look darker at first and then fade over a month or two. We recommend wearing compression stockings for the first several days after treatment depending on the extent of treatment. You can resume normal activities following treatment and in fact are encouraged to walk for 20-30 minutes immediately after treatment and for the next few days.

Are there any side effects?

As with any medical procedure, there are possible side effects. The most common are redness, swelling, itching, bruising and darkening of the vessels. A small number of patients develop small branches of blood vessels surrounding the injected vein. These usually disappear on their own. Less frequently an individual may experience allergic reaction to the solution, burning in the vein and changes to skin color that may take many months to fade or could be permanent.