Sclerotherapy
About the treatment
Injection treatment for superficial vein networks on the legs. A fine needle injects a sclerosing agent into the vessels. 1–6 treatments may be needed.
WHAT IS SCLEROTHERAPY? Sclerotherapy is an injection treatment that treats superficial spider veins on the legs. WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE THE TREATMENT Before treatment begins, a consultation is conducted where we go through your concerns as well as your health status. I will ask whether you have diabetes, have previously suffered from venous thrombosis, or have blood disorders, as this can affect the treatment itself. It is also preferable that you are not sun-tanned, as the vessels become easily camouflaged by this and are harder to access. THE TREATMENT The injection is performed with a very thin needle that is inserted into the vessel to be treated. The medication is then slowly injected, which irritates the vessel walls. The injection itself is not painful, but there may be some stinging. Multiple treatments are often needed to achieve the desired result, depending on your starting point. In some cases, a single treatment session may be sufficient. Any follow-up treatments are scheduled no earlier than 8 weeks after the treatment session. AFTER THE TREATMENT You are recommended to rest from exercise for two to three days after the injection. You should not expose the treated area to sun for two weeks after the treatment session, as this can cause skin discoloration. Larger vessels that have been treated may be sore for a while after treatment. We recommend using compression bandages on the treatment area for the first 24 hours after treatment, and compression stockings for the first week after treatment. The spider veins may become more prominent immediately after treatment and vary in color from red, to blue, then brown, before finally fading away within 6–8 weeks. There is no guarantee that all vessels will disappear, and new spider veins may develop if you have a hereditary predisposition. For some, the injections may need to be repeated every few years, although the longevity of the treatment is generally long. For the best results, sclerotherapy should be maintained as needed for each individual.