SclerotherapyDo you have veins on your legs that are unsightly, painful, or otherwise bother you? Many times, they can be minimized with a procedure called sclerotherapy. What is sclerotherapy? Sclerotherapy (also known as leg vein injections) is a treatment that uses a tiny needle to inject solution into the veins to make them collapse. The solution irritates the inside of the vein. What type of veins can be treated? Sclerotherapy is most commonly used to treat veins on the legs. Read more... Why do I have these veins? We think that hormones play a big role, since women are at greater risk. Read more... Don’t I need the veins? Spider and varicose veins are ‘extra’ veins that your body doesn’t need, so they can be treated with no harmful effects on your circulation. Read more... What solution is used for sclerotherapy? Until recently, saline (salt water) was the most common solution that was used for leg veins; now, a new solution called Asclera (polidocanol) has been approved by the FDA. Read more... What should I know before my sclerotherapy treatment? If you bruise easily, or if you have a lot of veins to be treated, it may be a good idea to avoid aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or Vitamin E for a week before your session, since these can thin the blood. Read more... What’s it like to get a sclerotherapy treatment? I typically have patients lie down on a table and get comfy with a pillow and blanket. Read more... Does it hurt? Most of my patients say they barely feel the pinprick, and they can read, text, or listen to music during the treatment. Read more... What can I expect after a sclerotherapy treatment? I usually tell my patients that they can resume most of their normal activities right away. Read more... What other parts of the body can be treated? While sclerotherapy is most commonly used to treat veins on the legs, it can also be used to treat veins elsewhere on the body. Read more... What about laser? I sometimes use laser to treat patches of very fine red veins that are too small to inject. Read more... |
