Millions of men and women have spider and varicose veins. First introduced more than 100 years ago, sclerotherapy is a popular medical technique that permanently removes these enlarged veins, which are typically found in the legs. The procedure is also performed to treat smaller varicose veins that can appear after surgery.
Depending on your individual circumstances, sclerotherapy may be used on larger varicose veins as well. This technique also relieves some of the symptoms associated with venous insufficiency such as burning sensations, night cramping, swelling and pain. The treatment can be performed alone or as a follow-up procedure after surgery. Sclerotherapy can help clear your skin of spider and varicose veins early before they cause other vascular complications.
What Can I Expect?
During treatment, the affected leg is elevated. A fine needle is then used to inject a special medicated solution, known as a sclerosant, into the spider or varicose vein. The sclerosant damages the interior lining of the vein, which causes it to close. Your body reabsorbs and eliminates the vein naturally. Blood flow is redirected to veins deeper under the skin.
This minimally-invasive treatment can usually be performed on an outpatient basis. The length of time it takes depends upon the number of veins being treated. You may need to wear a compression stocking for a few weeks and undergo more than one treatment session in order to successfully remove targeted veins.
Is There Any Recovery?
Generally, treatment does not require a hospital stay and has little to no downtime, which means that you can return to work and your normal activities quicker than with more extensive procedures. In most cases, you can resume regular activities immediately. While you are encouraged to move around to prevent blood clots, you should avoid strenuous exercise for several days.
It may also be recommended that you apply sunscreen to the treated area. Side effects may include itching and redness at the site of the injection. After being treated for spider and smaller varicose veins, you may see results in as little as three to six weeks. It may be three to four months after treating larger veins before definitive results are noticeable. While treated veins typically do not return, new veins may appear.
If you suffer from unappealing spider and varicose veins, you may be a candidate for sclerotherapy. Contact Rosen Vein Care today to schedule an appointment. We will discuss several factors such as your medical history and the procedure as well as answer any questions that you may have to determine the best course of treatment for your condition.