What is SCLEROTHERAPY?
Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment for varicose veins and spider veins. Your healthcare provider injects a chemical solution into your vein to close it off. This in-office treatment works well for many people, especially on smaller varicose veins. Recovery is quick, but it can take weeks or months to see results.
Your healthcare provider uses a needle to inject a special solution into your varicose vein or spider vein. This chemical solution irritates your blood vessel lining, making it expand, stick together and form a scar. This closes off your vein, making it look and feel better.
Who needs to have sclerotherapy treatment?
Sclerotherapy may be appropriate for people with varicose veins or spider veins, but it’s not for everyone.
Before the procedure, you’ll meet with a vascular specialist who’ll decide if you qualify for sclerotherapy.
You’re not eligible for sclerotherapy if you:
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Have an active deep vein thrombosis or superficial vein thrombosis (blood clot).
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Are pregnant. You’ll have to wait at least three months after delivery before you can have sclerotherapy.
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Breastfeeding (chestfeeding).
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Unable to get out of bed.
You can still get sclerotherapy if you take birth control pills.
If you’ve had a blood clot in the past, you may be able to have sclerotherapy, depending on what caused the clot and how serious it was.
In most cases, your provider won’t do sclerotherapy on a vein you might need for future surgical bypass procedures, such as the saphenous vein for coronary artery bypass graftsurgery (unless that vein is already unusable).
It’s a good idea to talk with your provider about how successful they think sclerotherapy treatment will be for you. Some people with high expectations are disappointed with their results. Knowing what to expect can help you avoid feeling disappointed. You should also know that results aren’t immediate. You won’t walk out of your provider’s office looking like a leg model.
Smooth and Flawless Legs
Looking for a way to get rid of those pesky spider veins or varicose veins? Look no further than Amany's sclerotherapy treatment! Our non-surgical solution involves injecting a special solution that makes those veins disappear, leaving you with smoother, clearer skin. Say goodbye to unsightly veins and hello to a more confident you with Amany's safe and effective sclerotherapy treatment!
Procedure Details
What happens before sclerotherapy?
Before your sclerotherapy treatment, you should avoid certain medications. Follow these guidelines:
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Antibiotics such as tetracycline or minocycline (Minocin® or Dynacin®) may make your skin stain if you take them seven to 10 days before or after sclerotherapy. Ask your healthcare provider about other antibiotic medications you may take, or ask for safe guidelines for stopping these medications. Tell your provider if you need to take an antibiotic before invasive procedures.
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Don’t take aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil® and Nuprin®) or other anti-inflammatory medications for 48 hours before and after sclerotherapy. These medicines may get in the way of the action of the sclerosing agent or make you bleed more. It’s ok to take acetaminophen (Tylenol® or Panadol®). Ask your provider for specific instructions before you stop taking any medication.
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Prednisone (Rayos® or Sterapred®) makes the sclerosing agent less effective. Ask the provider who prescribed your prednisone if you can safely stop taking it for 48 hours before your sclerotherapy treatment.
Other guidelines before your procedure:
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Don’t put any lotion on your legs before or after sclerotherapy.
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Bring a pair of shortsto wear for your procedure.
If you have compression hosiery (support stockings) from previous treatments, bring them with you so your provider can make sure they’ll give you enough support after your procedure.
What happens during sclerotherapy?
Your healthcare provider will perform sclerotherapy in their office. They may use an ultrasoundto help them find the right vein to treat.
Sclerotherapy treatment takes about 30 to 45 minutes. You’ll lie on your back or your stomach, depending on the location of the vein they’re treating.
Your provider can choose from several chemicals available for use in sclerotherapy. They’ll select the appropriate chemical and concentration of it based on the size of the vein they’re treating.
Before starting, your provider may try a test injection and wait a bit to make sure you don’t have a reaction to it.
They’ll follow these steps:
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Clean the treatment area.
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Stretch your skin out around the injection site. An assistant may use their hands to help with this while your provider gets ready to put the needle into your skin.
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Inject a liquid or foam solution directly into your blood vessel, using very fine needles.
You’ll feel the needle pinch your skin, and possibly a mild burning feeling. You may feel mild discomfort when the injection goes into your veins. In larger veins, you may feel cramping for a minute or two during the injection.
The number of veins your provider treats in one session depends on the size and location of your veins, as well as your overall medical condition.
What happens after sclerotherapy?
After your treatment, your provider may ask you to keep lying down for 15 minutes or so to make sure you don’t have a bad reaction to the injected material.
You’ll be able to drive yourself home. You may go back to your regular activities, especially walking.
You should wear support hosiery or compression wraps for three to seven days to compress the treated vessels. Support stockings purchased from a department store may not work if your healthcare provider prescribes a heavy compression stocking.
For 48 hours after your procedure, follow these guidelines:
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Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory medications. You may take acetaminophen if you need it for pain relief.
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Don’t take hot baths or sit in a whirlpool or sauna. You may take showers, but the water should be cooler than usual.
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Wash the injection sites with mild soap and lukewarm water.
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Don’t apply hot compresses or any form of heat to the treated areas.
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Avoid direct exposure to sunlight (including sun tanning and tanning beds).
Call your provider if you have any concerns or questions after your procedure.
