Facts About Sclerotherapy

Doctor magnifying a patient's varicose veins

Do you have unsightly purple veins on your legs that keep you from wearing shorts and bathing suits? These purple ropes and spindles are signs that you are suffering from spider veins or varicose veins.

You can feel beautiful again through an effective treatment called sclerotherapy. This treatment can remove these veins once and for all, so you can once again enjoy smooth, clear skin.

What Is Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a medically-proven, safe procedure that can eliminate varicose and spider veins. During sclerotherapy, your doctor will inject sclerosants called polidocanol and glycerin directly into the problematic veins through a very fine needle. The sclerosants will irritate the blood vessel lining and cause swelling and blood clots. Your blood vessels will develop into scar tissue and force the blood to move through healthier, deeper veins. The treated veins will reabsorb into local tissue and fade within a few weeks.

Facts About Sclerotherapy

If you’re struggling with varicose or spider veins, you might want to consider sclerotherapy. Let’s talk about some facts about sclerotherapy that you should know before you undergo this treatment for abnormal veins.

It Is Minimally Invasive

Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure and does not require hospitalization or general anesthesia. During sclerotherapy, your doctor will inject a variety of solutions, foam agents, or use technologies to treat your abnormal veins. These solutions or foams will irritate the veins and cause them to swell and stick together, eventually fading the veins from view. Sclerotherapy has a very low incidence rate of complications, but you may develop a post-surgical infection if the treatment is done by an inexperienced provider.

It Requires Little Downtime

Undergoing sclerotherapy doesn’t require you to spend days resting or taking time off work. In fact, you can return to your daily activities when the procedure is done. However, your doctor will ask you to avoid certain activities and wear compression stockings for 7 days after each procedure to obtain maximum benefits.

Sclerotherapy Is Versatile

Sclerotherapy is considered a versatile treatment, because it can treat both small spider veins and large varicose veins. If your doctor finds it hard to see a small vein from the skin’s surface, they will use ultrasound to view the veins. During ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy, sound waves are used to visualize veins and perform the procedure. Ultrasound ensures precision and enables your doctor to trace the path of the sclerosing agent to ensure the vein’s complete closure.

Sclerotherapy Doesn’t Produce Instant Results

You will not see the effect of sclerotherapy immediately after the procedure. It takes several weeks to see the full results, because our bodies take some time to absorb the abnormal veins after treatment.

Repeat Treatment May Be Required

Sclerotherapy is an active, ongoing treatment plan for spider veins. You may need to repeat the treatment a few times to address all your abnormal veins. Likewise, you will also need additional treatment if new abnormal veins develop in the future.

Sclerotherapy Treatment in Kansas City & Marshall, MO

If you think you are a candidate for sclerotherapy, visit us at Missouri Vein Specialists. Our specialist uses polidocanol and glycerin in different concentrations depending on each patient’s condition, especially for those with a history of allergic reactions.

To learn if sclerotherapy is the right option for you, schedule a vein consultation with the best vein doctor in KC today by calling 816-792-3400 or by using our online form, and we will contact you.