Sclerotherapy

Enjoy the Freedom to Show Your Legs!

For women and men bothered by unsightly and uncomfortable leg veins sclerotherapy with a post compression garment is the gold standard. We offer 2 types of sclerotherapy solutions; asclera and hypertonic saline. It is injected with a very fine needle directly into veins to eliminate uncomplicated spider veins and uncomplicated small varicose or blue reticular veins. Treatments are virtually pain free and last 15 to 45 minutes. Depending on the number of visible veins, patients may require up to 2-6 treatments. You can eliminate the discomfort of unsightly leg veins and enjoy wearing shorts again!

Sclerotherapy: Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is the injection of a solution into a vein. The solution causes the vein to close up or collapse and then be permanently absorbed by the body. Other nearby healthy veins will carry the blood without a problem. Sclerotherapy is performed in the office without local anesthesia.

What Agents Are Used For Sclerotherapy?

We use asclera and hypertonic saline as our sclerotherapy agents. Ascerla and hypertonic saline are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for sclerotherapy. These agents are very effective, safe, and have been in clinical use for over 20 years.

Is Sclerotherapy Painful?

Most patients tolerate sclerotherapy and are surprised that the injections are essentially painless. A small pinch or “mosquito bite” is felt, but that is usually it. Occasionally, a mild burning sensation is felt after the injection, but this is mild and subsides quickly.

What Is The Procedure Like?

Sclerotherapy is performed as an outpatient procedure in our office. After obtaining photos and your signed informed consent you will be positioned in a surgical chair for the procedure. The skin is cleansed with alcohol and the injections are performed. Most treatments require 15-45 minutes. Medical compression hose will be fitted and applied immediately after treatment. The medical moderate exercises are encouraged for most patients. Discomfort during this period is minimal. Mild bruising may be seen around the treatment sites.

How Many Treatments Will I Need?

The number of treatments will vary according to your condition. Most patients require 2-6 treatment sessions. The exact number of treatments needed, however, cannot be predicted.

Are The Results Permanent?

Veins eliminated by sclerotherapy do not return. Sclerotherapy does not, however, prevent the formation of new spider veins. Most patients will slowly develop new spider veins over time. This should not be mistaken as a return of the original spider vein.

Are There Any Precautions I Should Know About?

Aspirin, Vitamin E and other blood thinners should be discontinued 72 hours prior to treatment. Patients who have an allergy to ascelera or who have a personal or family history of blood clots should not have sclerotherapy.

Is sclerotherapy or laser right for me?

The gold patient’s standard for vein therapy is sclerotherapy but many need or like to have a combination treatment depending individual vein pattern. Every patient needs to be evaluated individually. We do offer the 1064 yag laser for combination treatments.

Is the treatment safe?

Absolutely! The veins we inject are only a fraction of your overall circulation and actually can improve venous blood flow back to your heart.

Can only my tiny spider veins be treated even though I have some larger bluish-type veins?

It is extremely important to treat in a particular order. Large veins, medium and than small vessels. Treating veins in this order will produce lasting results.

Are the results of sclerotherapy permanent?

Yes. If a vein has been properly injected it will not reappear. Unfortunately, hereditary tendency exists and new veins can and probably will develop. We recommend periodic follow-up visits to keep your legs looking and feeling great.

What happens if I need bypass heart surgery in the future?

One of the most commonly asked questions, The veins used in bypass surgery include the Greater Saphenous and the Lesser Saphenous of the leg. These are not veins that we will be injecting. If these veins are disease and a surgical procedure is needed then they would not be a viable graft for bypass.

Do I have to stay in bed with my feet elevated for a period of time?

Absolutely not. In fact, we want you to walk at least 20 minutes twice a day to help with the healing process and allow your circulatory system to find a new healthy pathway to your heart.

Do I need to wear compression hose?

Compression after sclerotherapy helps heal the veins, promotes good venous blood flow, and prevents complications. It has been my experience that patients that wear them for up to 14 days; see faster clearing, less bruising and legs actually feel better going through the healing process.

How often do I come for treatments?

Between 4-8 weeks apart, allowing them time to heal and fade away.

I do not have varicose veins but I have red spider veins that ache and make my leg feel heavy and tired. Can these veins be injected or lasered?

Yes. In fact, by eliminating this type of cluster of veins your legs do not only look great they feel wonderful! The heaviness comes from broken valves that are not pumping the blood up to the heart.

How much of an area do you cover with one treatment?

Both legs front back and all around can be treated at one time.

How long after treatment will I start to see a difference?

Immediately you may have some bruising or mosquito bite type welts. But at about two weeks you can visibly see a gradual fading of your veins. From two weeks to three months, the area will gradually clear.

Eileen’s Experience Counts: butterfly

Eileen has been injecting spider and varicose veins for over 25 years with many successful results!

“I am always overjoyed by patients who are thrilled to have confidence to show their legs again.”

Pre/Post Treatment Care for Sclerotherapy

Please follow these instructions for best results.

Pre-Treatment Instructions

  • Notify your provider with any changes to your health history or medications (antibiotics, vitamins, supplement, etc) since your last appointment. This includes new autoimmune conditions, cancer treatments, and/or recent vaccinations.
  • Avoid alcohol, Aspirin and NSAIDS for 24 hours prior to your appointment to limit the risk of bruising. Consider limiting Fish Oil, Turmeric, and Vitamin E during the week of your appointment as they have been shown to increase risk of bruising. 
  • Remember to wear or bring shorts to each visit.  Don’t wear tight jeans.
  • Bring your compression stockings to your visit. If you don’t have any, you can purchase at our office. 
  • You may shave your legs the morning of your treatment, but do not use any lotions or moisturizers.

Post-Treatment Instructions

  • Wear your compression stockings up to 14 days. This will give your optimal result.
  • DO walk, and use your legs in a normal manner immediately after treatment.  A 20-minute walk 2 times per day or bike ride every day can yield better results.
  • DO continue your regular exercise program.  If you normally do any weight training or high-impact aerobics, postpone this for 2 weeks. You may continue weight training with your upper body, just not the lower body. 
  • DO NOT expose your legs to the sun for at least 5 days.  After that, always use at least an SPF 30 sunscreen.  A sunburn/tan after treatment will increase the risks of skin damage or areas that darken.
  • DO NOT shave your legs until the morning after the treatment (risk of infection).
  • AVOID tub baths, saunas for one week after treatment.

Normal Findings After Treatment

  • At the injection sites:  Small “mosquito bites”, reddish/brown bruising, or black and blue marks that change to a yellowish color are all normal.  Bruising usually will fade within a week and should be completely gone in 2 weeks.
  • Along the treated veins:  There may be some mild discomfort.  The vein may appear like it has not been injected at all, or may appear lighter.  The veins can take up to 8 weeks to fade even when properly treated.  The vein may feel hard or lumpy in places.  This is also normal when larger veins are treated.  A painful lump that is present 2 weeks after treatment is probably trapped blood. Trapped blood is caused when blood is stuck between two closed vein segments. It poses no health threat to you.  However, it should be drained to give the best cosmetic results. You may apply a warm compress to the site 2-3 times per day if possible and massage the area. 
  • If you think you have trapped blood, call us so we can see you to drain this area at no charge before your next scheduled treatment.

Call us if

You have severe leg pain, difficulty walking, swelling, redness that is streaking down your leg, and the site feels hot to the touch. This can be a sign of infection.

Aesthetics By Eileen Laser & Skin Care Medical Spa 919-881-2100

Text for After Hours Questions 919-999-0233

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