Sclerotherapy is considered cosmetic, and is not covered by insurance. Depending on the size of the vessel treated, most patients do not find the injections very painful.

Sclerodex is a FDA approved sclerosant used during the treatment. Sclerodex is an extremely safe solution with very low incidence of complication. Side effects can include temporary hyperpigmentation and other side effects such as scarring, ulceration or infection may occur (but are rare). This treatment is performed by Dr. Tho Nguyen.

Treatment

Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure used to eliminate spider veins. Sclerotherapy involves an injection of a solution (generally a salt solution) directly into the vein. The solution irritates the lining of the blood vessel, causing it to swell and stick together, and the blood to clot. Over time, the vessel turns into scar tissue that fades from view.

Sclerotherapy is a proven procedure that has been in use since the 1930s. Prior to sclerotherapy, you will have an initial consultation with a dermatologist or vascular medicine specialist who will decide if you’re a good candidate for the procedure. The number of veins injected in one session depends on the size and location of the veins, as well as the general medical condition of the patient.

Sclerotherapy is performed in the doctor’s office by a dermatologist or a surgeon and requires that you do not do any aerobic activity for a few days after the procedure.

What Happens After Sclerotherapy

After sclerotherapy you will be able to drive yourself home and resume your regular daily activities. Walking is encouraged.

You will be instructed to wear support hosiery to “compress” the treated vessels. If you have compression hosiery from previous treatments, you are encouraged to bring them with you to be certain they still have adequate compression. Department store support stockings will not be adequate if a heavy compression stocking is needed. Your doctor’s office can recommend where to purchase heavy compression stockings.

Also, you should avoid the following for 48 hours after treatment:

• Hot baths
• Hot compresses
• Whirlpools or saunas
• Direct exposure to sunlight

Sclerotherapy Effectiveness

Studies have shown that as many as 50%-80% of injected veins may be eliminated with each session of sclerotherapy. Less than 10% of the people who have sclerotherapy do not respond to the injections at all. In these instances, different solutions can be tried. Although this procedure works for most patients, there are no guarantees for success.

In general, spider veins respond in three to six weeks, and larger veins respond in three to four months. If the veins respond to the treatment, they will not reappear. However, new veins may appear at the same rate as before. If needed, you may return for injections.

Before and After