Sclerotherapy

Before Sclerotherapy

Consult with a vein specialist to confirm you are a candidate for sclerotherapy. Your doctor may recommend sclerotherapy to improve symptoms of varicose veins and spider veins, such as aching, swelling, burning and night cramps.

Our vein doctors may recommend that you avoid taking certain drugs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, before the procedure.

During Sclerotherapy

Vein surgeons perform sclerotherapy by injecting a solution, known as a “sclerosant,” into the diseased blood vessel. The sclerosant irritates the vein, which causes the vein to collapse, stick together and eventually break apart. Nearby tissue absorbs the vein fragments, leaving behind healthy-looking skin.

Sclerotherapy causes a little discomfort or cramping when the vein doctor injects the sclerosant into the vein. These symptoms usually resolve in 1 to 2 minutes. The entire procedure takes 15 to 30 minutes.

After Sclerotherapy

You will be able to walk around immediately after the procedure. In fact, we encourage ambulation to stimulate blood circulation, but we suggest you avoid aerobic activity for a few days after sclerotherapy. You should also avoid exposure to direct sunlight, hot baths, whirlpools, saunas and the application of hot compresses to the treatment area for 48 hours after sclerotherapy.

After a successful sclerotherapy treatment, it takes about three to six weeks to experience relief from spider veins and three to four months to be free of varicose veins.

As with all medical procedures, side effects are possible with sclerotherapy. Those side effects, such as itching or raised red areas at the injection site, should disappear within a few days. Bruising may occur at the injection site, and it may take a few weeks to disappear. Other side effects may include brown lines or spots at the injection site.

Some veins resist treatment, so you may need repeated treatments to gain relief from stubborn veins. Veins that respond to treatment usually do not return, but you may develop new varicose veins or spider veins near the treated area.