Everything You Need to Know about Sclerotherapy
- Posted on: Aug 4 2021
Have you ever felt like you didn’t want to wear shorts because of spider veins on your legs? It’s certainly a common thought we have, and even more so as we age.
Veins can become problematic if the valves that keep blood moving in the right direction stop working. Dysfunctional valves in small surface veins often lead to spider veins. Luckily, these webs of discolored lines, as well as varicose veins, can be eliminated with sclerotherapy treatment.
How does sclerotherapy work?
Sclerotherapy is a form of injection therapy for bulging or visible veins. The treatment utilizes an FDA-approved drug that causes minor irritation within the inner lining of treated veins. This inflammation causes thickening inside the vein, which leads to collapse. The closed vein prevents blood from passing and also from pooling. The body naturally finds a new path for circulation through a nearby, functional vein. Over time, the veins that have been visible and painful get absorbed and they disappear for good.
Is sclerotherapy painful?
The thought of having injections administered into veins can feel intimidating. We understand why! But the interesting thing about our veins is that they have no nerve endings. The discomfort that is felt during treatment is limited to minor pinches from nerve endings in the skin. As the sclerosing agent gets absorbed into veins, a mild burning or aching sensation may occur. All of these sensations are momentary. After sclerotherapy treatment, compression socks are typically worn and may help alleviate any soreness that would occur.
Who is a good candidate for sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a proven clinical treatment for both spider veins and small varicose veins. Because it is an injection therapy and not a laser therapy that utilizes heat, sclerotherapy is appropriate for all skin tones. There is no “right age” to get this treatment. Any adult who has uncomfortable or unattractive veins may be a good candidate for treatment. Exceptions include women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and patients who have a history of blood disorders.
What are the benefits of sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is very effective and has been performed millions of times over several decades. Patients can expect all or most of the treated veins to disappear in 3 to 6 weeks after treatment. Sometimes, a second round of injections is necessary to fully close larger or resistant veins. Another big benefit of sclerotherapy is that the procedure is minimally invasive and takes less than an hour. After the appointment, patients return to normal activities with few restrictions.
We enjoy helping our patients look and feel their best. For more information about sclerotherapy, contact us for an appointment in our Naples, Bonita Springs or Fort Myers locations.
Posted in: Sclerotherapy