Sclerotherapy for varicose veins: benefits and complications + befor and after video

Sclerotherapy is the leading treatment for small varicose and spider veins offering a safe effective solution. This minimally invasive procedure injects a sclerosant solution into affected veins causing them to shrink and disappear. This guide details how sclerotherapy works its applications benefits and post-treatment care referencing resources like Which is Better: Sclerotherapy or Laser for Varicose Veins.

What is Sclerotherapy and How Does it Work

A sclerosant solution is injected into swollen veins using a fine needle. The solution irritates the vein lining causing it to collapse and be absorbed by the body over weeks. Blood flow redirects to healthier veins improving circulation. Studies confirm sclerotherapy as a simple safe effective method for treating small varicose veins preventing skin changes or addressing residual veins post-surgery. Different sclerosant solutions offer unique effects tailored to patient needs. Watch the process in Sclerotherapy Treatment Video.

Applications of Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy treats various body areas:

• Legs: Most common for spider veins causing cosmetic concerns or discomfort.

• Face: Targets spider veins for aesthetic improvement.

• Hands: Removes visible varicose veins.

• Hemorrhoids: Treats grade one or two internal hemorrhoids under medical supervision.

Types of Varicose Veins Treated

• Spider Veins: Red or blue web-like veins near the skin surface often painless but treated for cosmetic reasons.

• Reticular Veins: Larger raised network-like veins visible under the skin.

• Feeder Veins: Small veins supplying blood to larger varicose veins contributing to symptom severity.

What do I need to do before sclerotherapy?

Consult a vascular specialist for an evaluation possibly including blood tests or ultrasound to assess vein flow. Discuss medications and avoid aspirin or ibuprofen as advised. Key considerations:

• Choose an experienced sclerotherapy specialist.

• Share medical history including conditions medications allergies.

• Understand potential side effects and care instructions.

How Sclerotherapy is Performed

The injection site is sterilized and a fine needle delivers the sclerosant solution into the vein. Various sclerosants are used based on the physician’s expertise and patient condition. The procedure takes 20-30 minutes allowing immediate return to daily activities.

Benefits of Sclerotherapy for Varicose Veins

• Recognized globally as the standard treatment for small veins.

• More effective than surface laser with fewer sessions and lower costs.

• Outpatient procedure performed in a clinic with no recovery downtime.

• Requires no anesthesia or surgery.

• Uses fine needles ensuring minimal discomfort.

• Offers permanent removal of treated veins with minimal temporary side effects.

• Visible results within three weeks with gradual improvement.

• May require multiple sessions based on vein severity.

Note that new varicose veins may form in other leg areas if preventive measures are not followed as the leg’s extensive vascular network remains susceptible.

Post-Sclerotherapy Care

• Resume light activities like walking to prevent blood clots but avoid strenuous exercise.

• Avoid pools saunas jacuzzis hot baths for 10 days.

• Protect treated areas from sun exposure for 2-4 weeks.

• Use prescribed pain relievers for mild discomfort.

• Expect temporary bruising or redness resolving within weeks.

• Darkened veins due to trapped blood will fade over time.

• Avoid lotions or shaving until injection sites heal.

• Contact your doctor for fever increased pain or sensitivity.

Complications and risks of sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is low-risk with mild side effects:

• Skin discoloration around injection sites.

• Temporary redness or inflammation.

• Rare blood clotting previously seen with strong sclerosants in saphenous veins (1 in 100000 cases) now nearly eliminated with modern techniques like endovascular laser.

• Temporary chest heaviness or dry cough resolving within minutes.

• Hyperpigmentation in rare cases particularly with larger veins fading within months.

• Mild allergic itching in sensitive individuals treatable with creams.

Contraindications for Sclerotherapy

Avoid sclerotherapy if you have:

• Allergies to sclerosant solutions.

• Acute leg vein clots.

• Severe systemic or skin infections.

• History of severe deep vein thrombosis.

• Limited mobility due to age or severe illness.

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding.

• Severe asthma.

• Deep muscle-bound varicose veins.

Sclerotherapy vs. Foam Sclerotherapy

Both treat spider and varicose veins but differ in sclerosant delivery. Liquid sclerotherapy injects a solution for small to medium veins. Foam sclerotherapy uses a foamed sclerosant creating greater vein wall contact for larger veins offering faster results.

Sclerotherapy Compared to Other Treatments

• Sclerotherapy vs. Surgery: Sclerotherapy avoids general anesthesia and has a shorter recovery than surgery which is reserved for severe cases.

• Sclerotherapy vs. Laser: Laser is non-surgical but sclerotherapy is more cost-effective with fewer sessions. The best choice depends on vein size and location as discussed in Which is Better: Sclerotherapy or Laser for Varicose Veins.

Conclusion

Research shows sclerotherapy improves symptoms in 80% of patients. By injecting a sclerosant into varicose veins it seals them redirecting blood flow. The treated veins disappear over time. Its benefits make it a preferred choice for small to medium veins. Consult a specialist like Dr. Behnam Vaghefi’s clinic for expert care.

FAQs

Is sclerotherapy permanent?

Yes treated veins are permanently removed but new veins may form if preventive measures are ignored.

How many sessions are needed?

Session count depends on vein number size and physician assessment ranging from one to several.

Is sclerotherapy painful?

Mild stinging during injection is common with minimal discomfort post-treatment treatable with local anesthesia or pain relievers.

What is the cost of sclerotherapy?

Costs vary by session count vein size number. Contact your clinic for details.

Who is sclerotherapy best for?

Ideal for patients with good health and small to medium spider or reticular veins.

Is sclerotherapy covered by insurance?

Typically not covered for cosmetic spider vein treatment but may be covered for medical necessity.