Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy: What You Need to Know?
Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure used to treat varicose veins and spider veins. It involves injecting a solution, usually a salt-based or chemical solution, directly into the affected veins. This solution irritates the lining of the vein, causing it to collapse and stick together. Over time, the vein is absorbed by the body and fades from view.
Who Can Benefit from Sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is often recommended for people with:
- Small to medium-sized various veins
- Spider veins (small, web-like veins close to the skin)
- Results: The treated veins generally fade within a few weeks, though multiple sessions may be necessary for optimal results, depending on the severity.
Risks and Side Effects
Sclerotherapy is generally safe, but like any other procedure, it comes with potential side effects. These may include:
- Bruising, redness, or small skin sores at the injection site
- Temporary darkened skin in treated areas
- Allergic reactions to the solution (rare)
In rare cases, complications can include inflammation, blood clots, or trapped blood in the treated vein, which may need further treatment.
Is Sclerotherapy Right for You?
If you’re considering sclerotherapy, discuss it with one of our providers, who can assess your medical history and the nature of your vein issues. This procedure is generally effective and minimally invasive, offering significant cosmetic improvement for any patient.
Before & After Results
What to Expect?
The procedure is relatively quick, usually lasting 15-30 minutes, and is performed right in the office. Using a fine needle, we inject the solution into each targeted vein. You may feel slight discomfort, like a pinch or mild burning, during the injection.
After the Procedure
- Compression stockings: You’ll likely be advised to wear compression stockings for a few days to weeks to support healing
- Activity: Walking is encouraged after sclerotherapy, but you should avoid strenuous exercise for a short time
Is Sclerotherapy Right for you?
If you’re considering sclerotherapy, discuss it with your provider when you are in for your skin check. The procedure is generally effective and minimally invasive, offering significant cosmetic improvements for most.
Orchard Park Dermatology OPD - Spider Vein Treatment
Sclerotherapy
Orchard Park Dermatology – Adult skin care and surgery
Spider Vein Treatment
Today I am going to demonstrate foam Sclerotherapy for spider leg veins. Sclerotherapy is a procedure that has been around for probably a hundred years but over the past several years some significant improvements have been made. Instead of using salt water or either chemicals we use a detergent foam and as you will see as I start to inject her the foam will displace the normal blood that is in the vein and irritate the lining of that vein and the vein will fade over the next several weeks. This is a terrific treatment for our patient with the superficial spider varicosities. These are what we sometimes call road map veins. The foam displaces the blood and will travel the full course of the vein – and you can see she is going to have a terrific result. I like to do Sclerotherapy during the fall and winter months because part of the treatment is that our patients will wear compression stockings for 2 weeks after wards and that can get a little bit warm during summer because we like to wear them day and night because they will just get better results, most patients will do between one and 3 sessions to get maximum improvement and maybe touchups every few years or so. The improvement that we see today is permanent. These veins won’t recur. However patients that are prone to spider varicosities may continue to develop new ones! Okay, it is a satisfying procedure for both the physician and the patient, and it is fun! Foam Sclerotherapy is a very satisfying procedure for both the patient and myself the physician – it is a fun to watch the veins disappear knowing that they will continue to fade over the next several weeks. Most patients do one oth 2 sessions for maximum improvement we sometimes do 3 sessions after that the veins are permanently gone and if they develop new ones we can always do touch ups down the road.
Fantastic look at them run!
So today I am demonstrating sclerotherapy and these are the perfect veins to, uh, for us to inject with our foamed solution. So magnifier is on and come right in. Nice and close. Isn’t that beautiful? And that’ll just follow all the way up, pushing all that normal blood out. And then this detergent solution’s gonna irritate the lining of those veins and cause them to collapse down Perfect one injection. I know. That’s awesome. Okay. All right. That’s good.
Dr. Peter Accetta is dedicated to developing and preserving his patients' skin's health and brightness. Dr. Accetta is a dermatological board-certified physician who graduated from Fordham University and the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine. He is a member of both the American Academy of Dermatology and is a clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology and is actively involved in teaching.
Dr. Accetta is a skin cancer specialty expert in surgical and non-surgical treatments for skin cancer and sun damage. He is also interest in cost effective skin rejuvenation techniques including Photodynamic Therapy, Peels and Microneedling
When you put your trust in Dr. Accetta and his staff, you can expect prompt attention to your requirements, competence, experience, and real compassion.