Is Sclerotherapy for You?
Sclerotherapy: What is it? and Is it for you?
Are you tired of trying to hide swollen or discolored veins on your legs? You don’t have to put up with spider or varicose veins forever. Vein surgery can remove the damaged veins, but what if you don’t want (or can’t have) surgery?
The team of providers at Vein Institute knows that thinking about vein surgery can be nerve-wracking. That’s why we offer a variety of treatments for spider veins and varicose veins that are nonsurgical — including sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure that targets unsightly, visible veins.
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of sclerotherapy and five signs that this procedure is right for you.
Sclerotherapy: what is it?
If you’re considering a vein treatment, the first step is to learn more about what it is and what it does. Sclerotherapy eliminates both spider veins and varicose veins through the use of an injection. According to WebMD, a salt-based solution is injected into your problematic vein. The injection irritates your vein, causing it to shut down. Your body then reabsorbs the vein, eliminating its appearance. Blood is rerouted to healthy veins.
5 signs that sclerotherapy is right for you
Now that you know what sclerotherapy is, how do you know if it’s right for you? A thorough examination and review of your health history enables our providers to determine if you’re an ideal candidate. However, these five signs may suggest that this nonsurgical procedure is what you’ve been looking for.
1. You have spider veins and/or small varicose veins
Spider veins can show up as blue, purple, or even red webs of veins. Although spider veins won’t hurt you, they can be a cosmetic concern. Varicose veins are also mostly cosmetic, but they can cause achiness or heaviness in the legs.
Sclerotherapy can treat both spider veins and small varicose veins, making this an ideal procedure to eliminate these types of damaged veins. Ultrasound guidance also makes it possible to use sclerotherapy to treat veins deeper within your leg or below the surface of your skin.
2. You don’t want surgery
One of the biggest advantages of sclerotherapy is that this isn’t surgery. With sclerotherapy, there are no:
Incisions
Stitches
Lengthy recovery periods
Sclerotherapy is an outpatient procedure, meaning you can return home shortly after you’re done.
3. You’re not bothered by injections
Although this is surgery, it is minimally invasive. The injections must be administered directly into the affected vein. The good news is that sclerotherapy treatments are relatively quick. After we bandage your legs and put on compression socks, you’re free to go home.
4. You have to rely on makeup to hide veins on your face, hands, or legs
You don’t need to hide your veins; eliminate them! The skilled providers at the Vein Institute use sclerotherapy to treat visible veins on the face, hands, and legs — all without traditional open surgery.
5. You’re dedicated to the process
Sclerotherapy is an effective treatment, with as many as 80% of treated veins eliminated with each treatment. To make the most out of your treatment, you should:
Follow all post-procedure instructions
Avoid hot tubs and saunas for at least 48 hours
Avoid aerobic exercise for at least 48 hours
Avoid anti-inflammatory pain relief medications (like ibuprofen) for 48 hours
If you’re self-conscious about visible veins, talk to us! We can guide you with your next steps, whether that’s with sclerotherapy or one of many other vein treatment options. We have several convenient locations in Fairfield, Newtown and Shelton Connecticut. Call the location of your choice or request an appointment online.