Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical outpatient procedure. It aims to reduce spider veins and smaller, superficial varicose veins. Whether they’re on the legs, face, or elsewhere, ugly veins can be removed with sclerotherapy. It is minimally invasive. The micro needle is only used to inject the solution. In this way, unwanted varicose veins are reduced or disappeared.
In addition to reducing varicose veins or spider veins, sclerotherapy can also reduce pain or side effects caused by damaged veins. Varicose veins can cause itching, pain, cramps, and discoloration. Spider veins are smaller and less serious than varicose veins. Varicose veins are more common in women than in men. Anyone can suffer from spider veins and varicose veins.
Candidates for sclerotherapy
Suitable candidates are people who have spider veins or varicose veins and want to get rid of them . Ideally, they should not smoke and be in good physical and mental health. It is not known whether the sclerosant solution will affect breast milk, and pregnant and lactating women should avoid sclerotherapy. People with blood borne or vascular disease should not be admitted to this procedure.
Laser or surgical removal of spider veins and varicose veins will be appropriate for more severe cases, as well as when there are other factors affecting the patient’s health.
The course of sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy consists of injecting a solution. It is inserted directly into the target veins. During preparation for surgery, the patient stands for the doctor to mark the appropriate veins. Using a microneedle, a venous sclerosis solution is injected into the vein. This hardens the vein and fades over time. One injection may cover about 2-3 cm of the skin surface. One treatment may consist of multiple injections, depending on the size of the area to be treated. Due to the rare pain experienced by patients, anesthesia is used sporadically. Generally, the treatment time is between 30 minutes and an hour. Two or more treatments are usually used to achieve optimal results.
If your legs are going to undergo sclerotherapy, your doctor may advise you to lie on your back with your legs elevated. Depending on how deep the damaged veins are, the doctor may also use ultrasound.
First, the doctor cleans the skin around the target veins. Using a thin needle, he injects an obliteration preparation into the damaged vein. Typically used sclerotherapy agents include polydocanol, sodium tetradecyl sulfate, and hypertonic salt solutions.
A solution of liquid or foam causes the walls of a given vein to close tightly. Therefore, blood is directed to insensitive veins. Over time, our body absorbs the damaged vein, which makes it less invisible and comfortable.
If we have a very serious problem, we may need up to four treatments.
Regeneration after surgery
After such treatment, compression bandages are often used to get rid of the tension and swelling of the veins faster ( beauty salon Warsaw ). Bandages can generally be removed within a day or two after surgery, although support bands may be useful for up to two weeks. Swelling and bruising are common side effects. Moderate exercise is recommended to improve blood circulation. If you’ve had varicose veins or spider veins on your legs, you may need to lie down with your legs elevated. Very rare complications include problems with blood clotting, skin inflammation, allergic reactions and changes in skin pigmentation.
Some side effects may appear at the injection site: itching, swelling, bruising and redness. They should disappear a few days after the procedure.
Treatment results
Sclerotherapy is to improve the appearance of unsightly veins. After each treatment, the veins will be brighter. Usually there is a slight bruise, so it may take up to two weeks for you to see results. Sclerotherapy does not prevent the formation of new varicose veins or spider veins, and should therefore not be considered a permanent solution. Most patients are satisfied with the effects of sclerotherapy. The skin looks much better.
Areas that can be sclerotherapy
Most often, varicose veins and spider veins appear on the legs and feet. Sick veins may be raised, discolored, or swollen. Some veins may be deeper under the skin and cause discomfort. The spider veins, on the other hand, are smaller. They are closer to the surface of the skin. They can be red, purple or blue.
Sclerotherapy can be used less frequently to treat hemorrhoids. It is usually used when the hemorrhoids are smaller and external. It can also be used when the hemorrhoids are bleeding or when surgery cannot be risked because of other health problems.
Depending on the size of the damaged veins, sclerotherapy can be used to treat varicose and spider veins in the following areas: thighs, calves, ankles, feet, face (often the sides of the nose), and anus.
Smaller varicose veins and spider veins respond best to sclerotherapy. We can see improvement within a few weeks of surgery. In the case of larger varicose veins, visible improvement can be observed after about four months.