Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is widely considered the best minimally invasive treatment for spider veins, the dense clusters of blood vessels visible on the skin’s surface. The sclerotherapy procedure involves injecting a sclerosant medicine into spider veins to fuse their walls shut, turning them into hardened scar tissues eventually absorbed by the body. The accumulated blood reroutes into healthier leg veins to restore optimal blood circulation.

How Does Sclerotherapy Work?

Sclerotherapy is a safe, in-office minimally invasive spider vein treatment that concludes within 30 minutes and involves no downtime. During the procedure, the vein doctor injects sclerosant solution into the spider vein. The sclerosant medicine fuses the spider vein’s walls and causes chemical damage, making the diseased vein shut down. The unhealthy spider vein turns into scar tissue and the accumulated blood reroutes into healthier leg veins, restoring optimal blood circulation to the heart.

Over time, the hardened vein is absorbed by the body, fading away from the skin’s surface. During the sclerotherapy procedure, the vein doctor administers one injection per spider vein, so the number of injections and sessions depends on the number of spider veins. The sclerotherapy procedure is performed as an in-office treatment within the vein clinic in Maryland. It concludes within 30 minutes and involves no downtime. The vein doctor applies pressure on the veins to prevent blood from pooling while you stand up. You will have to wear compression stockings for a few days after the sclerotherapy vein treatment.

Is Sclerotherapy Painful?

Sclerotherapy is an almost painless procedure because it only involves one injection per spider vein. The vein doctor applies topical anesthesia to your skin to ensure comfort, but you may experience a mild pinch when the needle enters your body. Some patients say they experience a mild cramping or burning sensation when the sclerosant medicine enters their veins, but this sensation is temporary. The treatment is highly tolerable.

What are the advantages & disadvantages of Sclerotherapy Treatment?

The Advantages of Sclerotherapy for Spider Veins

Sclerotherapy is a simple, in-office, injectable treatment, so there is no surgery with incisions or scarring. It doesn’t even involve extensive preparation or downtime, and most people can schedule the treatment during their lunch break. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services (Office on Women’s Health), the sclerotherapy procedure doesn’t involve any anesthesia, making it even more convenient.

However, our patients say they love sclerotherapy treatment because of the convenience. Since it’s a “lunchtime” procedure, you can schedule the treatment during your lunch break, visit the vein clinic for a quick session, and then resume your daily activities. You don’t even have to take a day off work, and most patients can resume all of their daily activities immediately.

The Disadvantages of Sclerotherapy for Spider Veins

Sclerotherapy is as close to perfect as possible. But no treatment is completely perfect – not even sclerotherapy. The primary drawback of sclerotherapy is its limited suitability for patients. This treatment is ideal for spider veins and small varicose veins on the skin’s surface, but it doesn’t address the root cause of your vein problems, so it can only offer cosmetic relief. You’ll need other minimally invasive procedures to treat underlying chronic venous insufficiency. If you’re diagnosed with vein disease, your vein doctor may administer sclerotherapy after a round of other treatments, such as radiofrequency ablation or VenaSeal.

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