Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy
What is Sclerotherapy and how does it work?
Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical, injection-based therapy used to improve the appearance of varicose veins in the legs. The procedure involves the injection of a solution into spider veins (smaller, red-purple in colour), and reticular veins (larger, blue-green), causing disruption of the internal lining of the vein.
A very fine needle is used to inject the sclerosing solution into the vein with only very minimal discomfort or pain. Most of our patients tend to describe the discomfort as “annoying” rather than painful.
The Sclerotherapy solution works by forming a fibrous clot, and the vein is eventually eliminated through the body’s own healing process.
What to expect before, during and after your Sclerotherapy treatment.
During your initial consultation your provider will examine your legs thoroughly. While many patients present with uncomplicated leg veins, occasionally patients may be referred to a specialist for a complete evaluation, including an ultrasound exam.
The treatment usually takes approximately 30 minutes, followed by placement of compression dressings if needed. In some cases, support stockings are recommended for up to one week after each treatment.
Support stockings are used to reduce cosmetic downtime, improve healing times and prevent recurrence of small vessels after treatment.
When will I see results from Sclerotherapy treatment?
After your initial Sclerotherapy treatment, the treated veins will fade in appearance within a few weeks, but often it may take up to a month or more to see the final result. Multiple treatments are usually required to achieve the desired outcome. Treatments are spaced 6 weeks or more apart to allow complete resolution of the veins treated during each treatment session.
Cosmetic downtime can range from a few weeks to a month or more, depending on your individual healing process. It is important to schedule time to complete a series of 2-3 treatments and the possible downtime when planning for important social events. Usually, patients begin leg vein treatments in the fall, so as to be ready for spring and summer weather.
Want to know more about Sclerotherapy?
Our goal is to provide our patients with as much information as possible about their Sclerotherapy procedure:
Read about Sclerotherapy and treatments on the American College of Phlebology Sclero-Resistance, Sclero-Sensibility and Sclero-Sensitization: The Role of the Tunica Adventitia in Sclerotherapy