Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure that treats varicose veins and spider veins. It involves injecting chemicals into damaged veins. The veins then collapse, forcing blood to reroute through healthier veins. The collapsed vein is reabsorbed into local tissue and eventually fades. In addition to diminishing the appearance of varicose or spider veins, sclerotherapy can also reduce pain or side effects caused by damaged veins.
Sclerotherapy can be used to treat varicose and spider veins in the following areas:
- thighs
- calves
- ankles
- feet
- face (frequently the sides of the nose)
Sclerotherapy can improve related symptoms such as:
- Aching
- Swelling
- Burning
- Night cramps
Depending on the severity and number of veins being treated, the procedure can take 15 minutes to an hour. Other procedures to treat varicose veins include surgical removal of the offending vein, fiberoptic-transmitted laser light and, for very small vessels, intense pulsed-light exposure are also effective.
Most doctors recommend trying compression stockings before exploring Sclerotherapy. Sometimes this alone can mitigate varicose veins.
Smaller varicose veins and spider veins respond best to sclerotherapy and improvement will be visible within a few weeks of treatment. For larger veins, the visual improvement can take up to four months.
If you’d like to learn more about Sclerotherapy, please fill out the form on this page or call (562) 997-1144.
