Should I avoid iron rich food after sclerotherapy?

No diet changes your results from vein treatments.  The best thing to prevent any complications is compression stockings.  Otherwise, there is not much you can do to help the results except for exercise.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Pigmentation after Sclerotherapy is not related to diet, including iron-rich foods.  However, an iron-containing molecule is the source of this brown discoloration.  The brown pigmentation that may appear after Sclerotherapy (and sometimes laser) is a result of blood that remains within - or outside of - the vein after treatment.  Blood contains 'red' cells - these are so-called because they contain Hemoglobin, an iron-containing molecule that appears red when carrying oxygen.  Any blood (that is, Hemoglobin) that remains within or adjacent to a treated vein - that was not removed by the body shortly after treatment - slowly degrades into another iron-containing molecule known as Hemosiderin, which appears brown.  The Hemosiderin is, almost always, completely removed from the skin but it may require months to years for this to resolve.

Although it is reported that iron intake can increase the chances of staining from sclerotherapy, I am not convinced that it makes any difference.  Over the years I have seen staining in both those on or off iron.  Staining comes primarily from two methods-leakage of blood out of the treated veins leading to hemoglobin breakdown or hematoma formation also leading to hemoglobin breakdown.

It is highly recommended not to take iron supplements and to avoid iron rich containing products to reduce the likelihood of post sclerotherapy hyperpigmentation. We also recommend the use of certain topical products to reduce hyperpigmentation after sclerotherapy. See link below for VenoLucent and VenoQuin creams.