What to Expect from Sclerotherapy for Varicose Veins
You’ve probably seen it before, the ropy, thick, blue blood vessels that appear on the legs. Yes, they’re unsightly. But they’re more than just a cosmetic concern. They’re responsible for serious pain, swelling, and rashes. Beyond that, they could lead to serious blood clots.
Finding the right treatment for varicose veins is pertinent. Fortunately, sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure for treating varicose veins when traditional remedies are not effective.
What Are Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged, and dilated veins. They’re a consequence of a weakened vessel wall and poorly functioning valves which result in blood backing up at the back of the vein. They appear mostly on the calves or lower legs and affect up to 40 million Americans.
If you experience twisted color changes on the surface of your skin, persistent sores, heavy feeling, burning, aching, and rashes around your legs, then you should consult a specialist to check if you have varicose veins.
About Sclerotherapy Treatment for Varicose Veins
Sclerotherapy is a procedure for treating varicose veins. The procedure is minimally invasive, and it involves the use of solutions (often called sclerosing agents such as polidocanol, hypertonic saline solutions, and sodium tetradecyl sulfate) that are injected directly into the vein.
This causes local scarring of the wall of the vessel and pushes blood to recirculate through healthier veins. The procedure is fast, usually between 30 to 45 minutes, and you can expect to start seeing results within a few weeks.
Things to Expect Following a Sclerotherapy Procedure for Varicose Veins
Sclerotherapy is a safe and effective procedure that works well for most patients. Here are the medical benefits to expect after a sclerotherapy procedure:
Short Recovery
The recovery time for sclerotherapy procedures is very brief. In fact, some patients can return to their normal activities after just a brief period of rest or as soon as the procedure is completed.
A simple rule of thumb is always to follow post-treatment instructions given by your specialist. Some people may experience minor allergic reactions at the injection site in the form of itching and swelling. Fortunately, these will go away after a short time.
Quick and Effective Treatment
Sclerotherapy is a quick procedure that often lasts no more than 45 minutes. Depending on the size of the varicose veins, you can expect to get treated within weeks or just within a few months. You can expect spider veins to respond to treatment within 3 to 6 weeks and larger varicose veins to respond to therapy within 3 to 4 months.
More Wardrobe Choices
Obviously, varicose veins affect your appearance, and this may make you feel uneasy when you wear certain outfits in public. Sclerotherapy enhances the appearance of your skin and gives you more wardrobe choices. The benefits of sclerotherapy for varicose veins are beyond just aesthetics but also help you build more confidence in yourself while enhancing the quality of your life.
We provide the best treatment for vein conditions using safe and effective procedures. Schedule an appointment to discuss how we can help you treat varicose veins with sclerotherapy in Plainview.