sclerotherapy

What is Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a treatment in which a trained clinician, using a syringe with a tiny needle, injects a small amount of a solution directly into the spider vein, displacing the blood and causing it to blanch or turn white. The solution then irritates the vessel lining so that it swells shut preventing blood from re-entering the vein. Most spider veins will disappear within two to eight weeks after the treatment.

How effective is sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a permanent solution for the areas treated but does not prevent new problem areas from appearing.

How long does the treatment take?

In most cases, treatment takes 30-60 minutes and no recovery time is needed so normal activity can be undertaken immediately afterwards.

How many treatment sessions are needed?

The number of treatments vary and is dependent upon the patient and the extent of the condition but each session must have a 4-6 week interval. This and other aspects of the treatment will be discussed in more detail at the pre-treatment consultation.

Is sclerotherapy painful?

Patients who have had sclerotherapy have reported little discomfort. Some experience a slight to moderate burning sensation immediately after the injection but this disappears within a few seconds.

Are there any side-effects following treatment?

Most patients experience no complications, however, some minor side-effects have been reported. These include slight blistering which occurs when small amounts of the solution seep into the surrounding skin areas. These blisters tend to heal rapidly. Occasionally, a small, dark area of pigmentation resembling a freckle may remain. These spots, however, do tend to disappear over time or respond to further treatment with bleaching creams. Bruising around the treated area, which eventually disappears, can result if the veins are unusually weak and clots sometimes develop at the site of the injection. Although never a major cause for concern, these clots may be removed within two weeks in order to allow the healing process to progress normally.

Swelling occasionally occurs, particularly in those patients whose jobs require standing or sitting for long periods of time. Swelling sometimes develops when veins in the lower leg or ankle are involved. Although not dangerous, the swelling should be treated with elevation and / or compresses.

What causes spider veins?

No one has determined for certain why some people are affected with spider veins and others are not, however, some families seem to be prone to the condition. Injury to the leg in the form of hard knocks or falls may contribute to the formation of these veins and long periods of standing or sitting may also be a causative factor. More women than men seem to develop the condition perhaps as a result of pregnancy or because of hormones.

Can spider veins be prevented?

Scientists have not discovered any clear-cut methods to prevent the onset of these telangiectasias however some medical authorities believe that the use of support hose, weight control and regular exercise may be helpful.

Today, thousands of people who have felt self-concious or embarrassed by unsightly spider veins of the legs are delighted with the results they are getting from sclerotherapy treatment.

Can spider veins be treated by laser?

Spider veins also occur elsewhere on the body, particularly on the face, where larger vessels have been treated successfully with sclerotherapy and finer thread veins by YellowStar laser. Recent studies in America have reported early success with a dual-mode laser approach to treating leg veins with the YellowStar successfully treating fine, superficial red thread veins and a near-infrared laser demonstrating some effectiveness in larger and deeper blue vessels. However, large-scale trials have yet to confirm these results and it is already likely that multiple treatments will be required.