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Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a procedure used for centuries to treat damaged blood vessels. A medicine or sclerosing agent is injected into the vessels, which makes them shrink and naturally absorb into your bloodstream. Sometimes referred as foam sclerotherapy depending on the sclerosing agent and method used by your vein treatment expert.

Sclerotherapy is often done under ultrasound guidance after venous abnormalities have been diagnosed with duplex ultrasound. Sclerotherapy under ultrasound guidance and using microfoam sclerosants has been shown to be effective in controlling reflux from the sapheno-femoral and sapheno-popliteal junctions. Because the sclerosing solution actually closes the “feeder veins” under the skin that are causing spider veins to form, a recurrence of the spider veins in the treated area is not likely.

Advantages to Sclerotherapy Treatment

  • Often covered under your insurance
  • Long lasting results with a high success rate
  • Can be used to treat larger varicose veins
  • Still enjoy the sun before and after treatment
  • Can be done on patients of any skin type or color
  • Treatment performed in office, no hospital stay required
  • Continue with your normal daily routines with minor limitations
  • Once a vein is treated it will not return

The American College of Phlebology agrees Sclerotherapy is the Gold Standard treatment for small to moderate sized leg veins. The vascular treatment experts at Kass Clinics look at several factors when deciding which treatment is best for your varicose and/or spider veins.

Factors to consider when determining the proper course of treatment:

  • Size of the veins needing treatment
  • Location of veins needing treatment
  • Other symptoms such as leg swelling, itching, numbness
  • Visibility, bulging of veins
  • Other medical conditions such as diabetes, leg ulcers, thrombosis, etc.

External Laser Treatments Can’t Compare to Scelerotherapy

Truth be told you cannot effectively treat an internal vascular condition like varicose or spider veins as thoroughly with an external laser treatment. You need to get to the root of the problem. That’s where injections such as sclerotherapy and more extensive laser procedures such as EVLT and Closure become more efficient.

Preparing for Sclerotherapy Treatment

  1. Avoid applying lotion to the legs before the procedure.
  2. Certain medications should also be avoided.  Some physicians recommend avoiding aspirin, ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory medications for 48-72 hours before Sclerotherapy. Your treatment provider at Kass Clinics will discuss all your medications including over the counter drugs, herbs, and dietary supplements you are taking.
  3. Wear comfortable, lose fitting clothing.
  4. Drink plenty of water the day before and day of treatment.

Sclerotherapy should be considered a long term safe and effective solution to eliminate small varicose and spider veins.