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Sclerotherapy is an advanced treatment that addresses spider and varicose veins. It is a simple procedure that is performed by injecting a special solution directly into the veins. The blood in the treated vein changes its direction into healthy veins and the problematic vein collapses, gets reabsorbed by the body and fades away.
Sclerotherapy is performed for various reasons. It can be performed because of aesthetic reasons - it reduces the appearance of unsightly spider and varicose veins. It can also be done to improve the symptoms that are connected to varicose veins like pain, night cramps, swelling, itching, heavy feeling, rash, skin ulcers or burning sensations. Sometimes these symptoms are warning signs that the patient might be developing varicose veins.
The procedure is safe as it is FDA-approved and minimally invasive as it involves the use of very fine needles. It is effective because the treated veins usually should not reappear.
WHAT ARE VARICOSE VEINS AND WHAT CAUSES THEM?
Varicose veins are veins that grow larger than normal and become visible on the skin. They get filled with blood and can be very uncomfortable or painful. They can appear on all areas of the body but usually, they develop on legs, feet, arms, hands and ankles.
They are caused when veins get weaker or don’t function properly and don’t move the blood up to the heart but collect it in the lower and upper extremities. This collected blood pressures the vein and makes it grow bigger and bigger until it finally sticks out of the skin.
Some risks can contribute to the development of varicose veins like pregnancy, obesity or standing long. The varicose veins can also be developed because of genetic predisposition.
WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR SCLEROTHERAPY FOR THE BODY?
Patients who have isolated varicose veins on their legs, feet, arm, hands or ankles can benefit very much from this procedure. Also, if they have a short or long saphenous vein they are suitable for sclerotherapy treatment.
On the other hand, pregnant or breastfeeding ladies should avoid this procedure. Also, patients who have very large and long varicose veins might benefit more from the surgery than sclerotherapy. This treatment is also not suitable for patients who are prone to underlying blood clotting.
WHAT DOES SCLEROTHERAPY FOR THE BODY TREATMENT INCLUDE?
The first step in vein treatment is a consultation with Lucia Clinic’s doctor. He examines the veins in question and determines if this procedure is suitable for the patient. If yes, then the doctor creates a customized treatment plan that will address the patient’s specific concerns and meet his/her expectations. The treatment plan includes the number of injections which is determined according to the number and size of the veins that need to be treated. During the consultation, the patient talks about previous medical histories like having some heart conditions or blood clots. The patient should also mention the medication he/she is currently taking or if he/she has any allergies.
Depending on the veins that need to be treated the doctor may perform an ultrasound examination. This is especially true for the veins in the patient’s legs because with ultrasound the doctor can see if there are any underlying blood vessel illnesses.
After that, the doctor schedules the treatment date.
Regarding medications, the doctor may advise the patient to stop using aspirin, naproxen sodium, ibuprofen, blood thinners, iron or herbal supplements. These medications and supplements can contribute to longer bleeding and bruising so it is best to avoid them a week before the treatment.
SCLEROTHERAPY TREATMENT RESULTS
If the patient has treated spider veins or small varicose veins, he/she usually sees the results after three to six weeks. The redundant vessel gets reabsorbed by the patient’s body and fades away. If on the other hand, the patient treated larger veins, the results will appear after three to four months, because it takes more time for a larger vein pattern to fade away below the skin.
The speed at which this treatment will work depends on the patient’s metabolism and immune system response since both are necessary for the reabsorption of the treated vein.
The treated veins usually won’t reappear, so the results are long lasting. However, the treatment can not prevent the appearance of new veins.
The patient may need more treatment sessions to achieve the desired results. Each treatment session needs to be six weeks spaced out. The number of sessions is determined during the consultation with the doctor and also according to the patient’s response to the treatment.
