What to Expect During Your Sclerotherapy Procedure: A Patient's Perspective

If you’re dealing with smaller varicose veins and spider veins, you’re not alone. These pesky veins are extremely common, affecting over 23% of adults in the United States. While the veins on your legs may not be causing discomfort, you may dislike their appearance and are considering Sclerotherapy to get rid of them.

Understandably, the thought of undergoing a medical procedure can seem daunting, particularly if you’re not sure what to expect. However, understanding the process can ease your concerns and help you feel more confident about moving forward. This post walks you through the Sclerotherapy procedure step-by-step, explaining what you can expect, and providing helpful tips for recovery.

What is Sclerotherapy?

It’s a simple, minimally invasive procedure that involves injecting a specialized foam or liquid into the affected veins. This solution causes irritation to the vein walls, making them collapse and close off. As blood is redirected to healthier veins, the treated veins slowly fade and are eventually reabsorbed by the body, leaving the skin looking smoother and clearer.

Preparing for your Sclerotherapy session

Before your procedure, you’ll meet with one of our vascular and board-certified interventional radiologists to determine if Sclerotherapy is suitable for your situation. You’ll be given a physical examination and possibly an ultrasound to check for deeper venous issues.

What happens during the procedure?

So, having been confirmed as eligible for the treatment, let’s dive in and see what you can expect on the day of the procedure.

1. You will lay on the treatment table with your legs slightly elevated. Then the area will be cleaned and numbed.
2. The procedure starts by injecting the FDA-approved sclerosing solution into the affected veins using a very fine needle. The number of injections depends on the size and quantity of veins requiring treatment. A small area will only take around 10-15 minutes to treat while a larger area may take a little longer. Most people feel a slight pinch or mild burning sensation as the solution enters the veins, but it’s a relatively painless procedure.
3. Once the solution has entered the veins, it seals them off and while the treatment doesn’t guarantee instant results, you may see your spider veins disappearing in front of your eyes. Meanwhile, the sclerosing solution will be working its magic to erase damaged veins beneath the skin’s surface although it may take several weeks to see the full effects.
4. Once all the veins have been treated, compression bandages may be applied to the treatment area to ensure the veins remain closed and that no further blood enters them.

What about side effects?

Sclerotherapy has been the gold standard of vein treatment for many years and it’s extremely rare to experience any serious side effects. However, you might experience some minor discomfort since the solution injected into the veins is intended to irritate them. You may feel stinging or cramping during the Sclerotherapy procedure and afterward the skin may appear reddened or bruised. In most cases, these minor side effects will resolve within a few days.

Recovery and healing

The good thing about Sclerotherapy is that it doesn’t interfere with daily life or busy schedules. Winter is the best time to have your treatment because it means your legs will be ready to show off once you get into your shorts.

To achieve optimal results it’s important to follow aftercare instructions. You’ll be advised to walk around for a bit following the procedure to help blood flow through the veins and avoid the risk of clots. You should also be able to return to work the same day.

It’s recommended to wear compression stockings for a few days after the procedure and avoid spending prolonged periods in the sun. The stockings apply gentle pressure to the legs while allowing the treated veins to fade and preventing new spider veins from forming.

Although the recovery period is short, it may take several weeks for the veins to cosmetically disappear.

Multiple treatments

You may need a series of Sclerotherapy treatments depending on the size and area of the affected veins. The treatments are usually spaced several weeks apart and even then, it can take up to two months, before you see visible results.

The good news is that once the spider veins have disappeared, the results can last between 3-5 years but aren’t necessarily permanent.

After the Sclerotherapy procedure

Sclerotherapy is a versatile treatment that can be used on spider veins and smaller varicose veins. However, unlike endovenous vein ablation and laser treatments, Sclerotherapy doesn’t treat the underlying cause of vein disease in the larger veins beneath the skin’s surface. This is why it’s important to ask your doctor about realistic expectations before deciding if the treatment is right for you. In the long run, if the cause of your vein disease isn’t treated, there is more chance of new veins developing.

Many patients undergo maintenance treatments every few years to keep the skin looking its best. Watching your weight, exercising regularly and wearing compression stockings can all help reduce the risk of new veins appearing.

Final thoughts

With little to no downtime and a high success rate, it’s no wonder that more than 295,331 people opted for this treatment in 2020 (the latest figures we could find). While it’s not for everyone, many patients find that Sclerotherapy dramatically improves their confidence and comfort in their skin.

If you're considering Sclerotherapy, remember that the key to a successful outcome is working with a skilled and experienced specialist.

By following the tips and steps outlined in this post, you'll be well-prepared for your Sclerotherapy procedure and on your way to healthier, vein-free skin!

Say goodbye to varicose and spider veins

Schedule a consultation with the experienced teams at our MINT STL clinics located in St. Louis, MO, Swansea, IL, Evergreen Park, IL and Chicago IL. Call us or use our online booking system. We offer a wide variety of minimally invasive procedures for all manner of vein problems.