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The Skinny
Average Recovery
5 days
Permanence
Permanent
Application
Injected
Surgical
No
Cost
$100 - $400
The Specifics
What is sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is an in office cosmetic procedure to quickly reduce the appearance of spider veins. Spider veins, or telangiectasias, are clusters of red or blue blood vessels most often on the legs and face. There is no known cause of spider veins, however, pregnancy, aging, sun damage, hormones, and trauma may contribute to their formation.A sclerotherapy treatment injects a dissolving agent like hypertonic saline, sodium tetradecyl sulfate, polidocanol, and chromated glycerin to cause the body to reabsorb the undesirable veins. Multiple treatments may be necessary.
## What cosmetic concerns does sclerotherapy procedure treat?
1. Veins: A sclerotherapy treatment causes blood vessels to become irritated and reabsorbed by the body to reduce or eliminate the appearance of spider veins (telangiectasias).## Who is the ideal candidate for a sclerotherapy procedure?
The ideal candidate for a sclerotherapy procedure is between 30 and 60 years old, has not had a history of blood clots, and has not been pregnant or given birth in the past three months. Sclerotherapy is not recommended for those who are pregnant, have a history of blood clots, or certain other chronic medical conditions.What is the average recovery associated with a sclerotherapy procedure?
Most candidates experience little to no downtime following a sclerotherapy procedure. Normal activities can be resumed immediately, however, strenuous activity should be limited for one to two days. Bruising and swelling will resolve within one week. Limiting sun exposure is advised to prevent abnormal skin pigmentation.What are the potential side effects of a sclerotherapy procedure?
Possible side effects of sclerotherapy include stinging, swelling, bruising, redness at the injection site, skin discoloration, brown lines or spots, and allergic reaction.What can someone expect from the results of a sclerotherapy procedure?
The results of a sclerotherapy procedure will be visible immediately after the treatment, although multiple treatments may be necessary, and final results are not seen for three to six weeks. New veins may form in the treated area following the procedure.What is the average cost of a sclerotherapy procedure?
Sclerotherapy can cost anywhere from $100 to $400. The actual cost of sclerotherapy is dependent upon location, board certified plastic surgeon, and length and involvement of the plastic surgery.Pros
- Little To No Recovery
- Quick Procedure
- Immediate Results
Cons
- Multiple Treatments
- Does Not Treat Varicose Veins
Invasiveness Score
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Invasiveness is graded based on factors such as anesthesia practices, incisions, and recovery notes common to this procedure.
What to Expect
Sclerotherapy is widely recognized as the standard treatment of spider veins. The process injects a sclerosing agent into surface vein clusters causing the veins to die and eventually disappear permanently. Here is a quick guide for what to expect before, during, and after sclerotherapy treatment.
Before Treatment
- No special measures need to be taken before treatment
- It is advised to stop blood thinning medications 1 week before and after treatment
During Treatment
- Patient will lay comfortably on a table
- Treatment area is cleansed
- Tiny needle injects veins with the sclerosing agent
- Injections made every 2-3cm until the entire vein cluster has been cleared
- Manual pressure may be applied to the treatment area to spread the sclerosing agent
- When complete, injection sites may be covered with bandages or compression stockings worn
Immediately After Treatment
- Patients able to resume normal activity
- Avoid strenuous exercise
1-7 Days After Treatment and Beyond
- Wear compression stockings constantly for 1 week
- Compression stockings may be worn for an additional week
- Avoid strenuous exercise for at least 1-2 days
- Avoid soaking or submerging treated areas in hot water
Result Notes
- Improvement noticeable immediately
- Final results determined after 3-6 weeks
- Desired results may require multiple treatments
- New veins may form after treatment
The Takeaway
Sclerotherapy is a quick, minimally invasive office procedure to reduce the appearance of spider veins with minimal side effects or recovery time. Treated veins will be eliminated almost immediately.
