What veins are treated with Sclerotherapy?

In larger blood vessels (usually greater than 3 millimeters), a procedure called sclerotherapy is used to treat unwanted blood vessels. A solution, called a sclerosing solution, is injected with a very fine needle directly into the blood vessel. This procedure has been used for spider veins since the 1932 and, before that, for larger veins. The solution irritates the lining of the vessel, causing it to swell and stick together and the blood to clot.  Over a period of weeks, the vessel turns into scar tissue that fades, eventually becoming barely noticeable or invisible.  A single blood vessel may have to be injected more than once, some weeks apart, depending on its size. In any one treatment session, a number of vessels can be injected.  Occasionally larger varicose veins are underneath the spider veins. In such cases, some physicians believe these vessels should be treated before the spider veins. This can be done by sclerotherapy, followed by compression or by a procedure performed by a vascular surgeon. Other physicians believe that spider veins may be treated by sclerotherapy without worrying about the varicose veins unless they become troublesome.

How successful is sclerotherapy?
After several treatments, most patients can expect a 50 to 90 percent improvement. However, the fading process is gradual. Total disappearance of spider veins is usually achieved. For people with mostly very small spider veins, a laser can also be used with good results.  Often a combination of sclerotherapy and laser treatments yields the best outcome.

Can sclerotherapy be used on all skin types?
Yes. All skin types and skin colors respond equally well.

 

Key Benefits