Sclerotherapy

How Does It Work?

During sclerotherapy, a sclerosing agent is injected into the spider or varicose vein that the patient wants to eliminate. This agent is usually salt based and irritates the lining of the blood vessel upon injection. The walls of the vessel begin to swell and stick together, causing the blood in the area to clot. Over time, this block turns the blood vessel into scar tissue.

What Is Treatment Like?

Each sclerotherapy treatment session typically takes 15-30 minutes to complete. While some patients experience mild discomfort and cramping when the sclerosing agent is first injected, the procedure is generally well-tolerated. Bruising and redness at the injection site after treatment are typical, but other side effects are minimal. Your doctor will inform you about the proper post-treatment care during your consultation appointment.

Smaller veins treated with sclerotherapy typically take 3-6 weeks to respond to treatment, while larger veins can take as long as four months to be eliminated entirely. In some cases, multiple sclerotherapy treatments are necessary to get rid of a vein completely.

Varicose veins don’t just pose aesthetic discomfort; they can also lead to uncomfortable symptoms that affect an individual’s overall quality of life.