Sclerotherapy
What is sclerotherapy?
Who is a good candidate?
Risks
Preparing for sclerotherapy
Recovery
What is sclerotherapy?
As a result of pregnancy, heredity or prolonged
periods on their feet, many women see small
red, blue or purple spider-like veins appear
just under their skin. The lines are actually
enlarged capillaries and veins that are more
prominent and superficial than normal. Though
they are most commonly seen on the legs, they
can appear almost anywhere.
Plastic surgeons can treat these vessels with
a simple procedure called sclerotherapy. During
an office visit, the doctor will inject the
vessels with a sclerosing agent which quickly
and often permanently collapses it leaving the
skin looking natural. Sclerotherapy is quite
popular, and growing increasingly so.
The needle used for the treatment is very fine,
and many patients say the procedure is virtually
painless. A typical treatment takes about 30
minutes.
Depending on the extent of your spider veins,
several treatments may be necessary. Though
these veins will not come back, it is possible
for other spider veins to appear later in the
same area.
Sclerotherapy can also treat minor varicose
veins. Varicose veins are blue, often bulging
and sometimes painful veins that appear in the
legs. More serious varicose veins require surgery
by a vascular surgeon.
Penn is proud to offer cutting-edge laser
treatment for spider veins. Talk to your
doctor to see if this option is right for you.
Who is a good candidate?
Spider veins can be treated at any age. Though
it is much more common for women to have spider
and varicose veins, sclerotherapy is equally
effective for men.
Risks
Any type of procedure has risks,
but you can help prevent complications by carefully
following your physician's instructions both
before and after the procedure. Talk with your
plastic surgeon to be sure you understand the
potential risks and complications. If you don't
understand something, ask!
Because spider veins are so small, it is possible
for the sclerosing agent to come in contact
with and damage neighboring skin. This can cause
a temporary change in skin color.
Preparing for sclerotherapy
To be treated with sclerotherapy, you need to
have healthy vein system. During your consultation,
your doctor may ask that you have an ultrasound
to determine if your body can handle blood being
rerouted.
Recovery
After sclerotherapy or laser surgery to remove
spider veins, expect to have some bruising for
up to three months.
Your doctor will also ask you to wear compression
dressing for several days immediately following
the surgery. Remember that carefully following
your doctor’s post-operative instructions
will help you look your very best.
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