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Sclerotherapy Cost ≈ $500 average cost

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Leg Hyperpigmentation After Sclerotherapy

About 8 months ago, I had surgery to remove veins from my legs. As a touch-up to some spider veins, sclerotherapy was performed on my legs. I have since developed hyperpigmentation in these treated areas on both of my legs. I think it may be because I let my legs get sun after about one week after the Sclerotherapy. It seems that I just can't win with getting my legs to look healthy again. Nonetheless, I have been given HQRA from my Dr. for the hyperpigmentation. I am wondering how long it will take to go away? I am a 46 year old Caucasian female, fair to medium skin tone. I have high hopes for this to fade by summer (it's now Januay, but I don't want to get my hopes up if my chances are slim to none that this will fade). Please advise.

Asked 37 months ago by seeking help in Las Vegas, NV

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legs hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation after Sclerotherapy

Unfortunately, hemosiderin staining is not an uncommon side effect after sclerotherapy. The good news is, it does fade over time....The bad news is, it takes a long time. It takes months, and in some cases, I've even seen it take a few years. I've not seen hydroquinone help much and if you are interested in going out in the sun, I wouldn't recommend using retinoids because they can sensitize your skin and increase the likelihood of burning. Hang in there... more

Grant Stevens, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Hyperpigmentation after sclerotherapy may take several months to fade.

Hyperpigmentation after sclerotherapy may be the result of melanin production by the skin or blood from the vessel being treated leaking into the skin (a bruise). Both are inflammatory situations that will resolve over time. The problem is that the process is slow in the legs because of biologic and physiologic circumstances in that part of the body.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Hyperpigmentation after sclerotherapy

Sclerosing solutions used to obliterate spider veins and reticular veins can cause pigment deposition in the skin. How often does this occur? It has been observed in up to 1/3 of patients when hypertonic saline is used as the sclerosing solution, in 7 to 31 % of patients when polidochanol is used, and in 10% to 80% of patients treated with STS solution (sodium tetradecyl sulfate). The good news is that pigmentation is usually temporary and rarely persists beyond 1 year. Be patient.... more

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD

Buffalo General Surgeon

Hyperpigmentation after sclero

Hyperpigmentation after sclero: hemosiderin staining is the cause and treatment is Time and tretinoin.

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Timothy Mountcastle, MD

Ashburn General Surgeon

Pigmentation after sclerotherapy

Pigment depositoin may result from hemosiderin or melanin. Discuss your options with a diplomate of the American Board of Phlebology. I perform many sclerotherapy sessions and provide patients with pre and post procedural regimens to decrease long term pigmentation.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Hyperpigmentation from Sclerotherapy

Hyperpigmentation is not an unexpected potential side effect of sclerotherapy. This hyperpigmentation can be either post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (the most common type and which typically resolves in 3-6 months, but may take more than a year) or hemosiderin deposition (which may respond more slowly). Both types of hyperpigmentation respond poorly to topical treatments but do tend to clear with time. If your condition is slow to respond or you are concerned, I... more

Jeffrey C. Poole, MD

Metairie Dermatologic Surgeon

Chances are good that the pigment will improve by summer.

A certain proportion of individuals will have post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation overlying the blood vessels. In the case of Sodium Sotradecol, the incidence is approximately 10-15%. This pigment can persist for some time - on the order of several months to a year, but usually fades and eventually resolves. Hydroquinone can help with the pigmentation, but can also cause inflammation so if you are finding the application of hydroquinone to be causing redness/irritation (which can... more

Bryan K. Chen, MD

San Diego Dermatologist

Try retinoids too

The pigment may also be from hemsiderin (the pigment in blood) and that type of pigment responds poorly to hydroquinone. Talk to your doctor about adding tretinoin or tazarotene. Good Luck!