VEINS
ABOUT
Sclerotherapy is a popular minimally invasive method of eliminating varicose veins and superficial telangiectasis (spider veins) in which a solution, called a sclerosing agent, is injected into the veins. Spider veins treatment is considered a cosmetic procedure, which is not covered by insurance.
BEFORE & AFTERS
FAQ's
Which areas can be treated?
Veins smaller than 3 mm in diameter can be treated on legs
Does sclerotherapy work for everyone?
Sclerotherapy is effective in most cases and results in improving or complete clearing of varicosities. However, there is no guarantee that sclerotherapy will be effective in every case. Approximately 10% of patients might have poor to fair results and the veins will not totally disappeared after six treatments. In very rare instances, the patient’s condition may become worse after sclerotherapy treatment.
How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments needed differs from patient to patient, depending on the extent of the spider veins present. On average, 3 to 4 treatments per individual vein are needed to see improvement or clearing of the spider veins. In some cases, six or more treatments are required.
What are the most common side effects of sclerotherapy?
The most common side effects experienced with sclerotherapy treatments are
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ITCHING – mild itching along the vein route that normally lasts 1 to 2 days.
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TRANSIENT HYPERPIGMENTATION – Approximately 30% of patients notice a discoloration of light brown streaks after treatment. In almost every patient, the veins become darker almost immediately after the procedure. In rare instances, this darkening of the vein may persist for 4 to 12 months.
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PERMANENT HYPERPIGMENTATION – A permanent discoloration that is usually small and hardly noticeable may remain along the path of the sclerosed segment.
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SLOUGHING – Sloughing occurs in less than 3% of patients who receive sclerotherapy. Sloughing consists of a small ulceration at the injection site that heals slowly. A blister may form and then may open and become ulcerated. The scar that follows should return to a normal color.
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ALLERGIC REACTION – Very rarely, a patient may have an allergic reaction to the sclerosing agent used. The risk of an allergic reaction is greater in patients who have a history of allergies.
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PAIN – A few patients may experience moderate to severe pain and some bruising, usually at the site of the injection. The veins may be tender to the touch after treatment and an uncomfortable sensation may run along the vein route. This pain is usually temporary, in most cases lasting 1 to 7 days, at the very most.
What are the other side effects of sclerotherapy?
Other, less common, side effects include a burning sensation during injection of some solutions, neovascularization (the development, usually temporary, of new, tiny blood vessels), transient phlebitis-type reactions (swelling of the vein) which might cause the ankles to swell, temporary superficial blebs or wheals (similar to hives), and, very rarely, wound infections, poor healing, or scarring.
Rare complications of sclerotherapy include visual disturbances and transient ischemic attacks or stroke.
How likely is phlebitis to occur following sclerotherapy?
Phlebitis is a very rare complication, seen in approximately one out of every 1000 patients treated for varicose veins which are greater than 3 to 4 mm in diameter.