Is blood bruising/scarring at the injection site typical with Sclerotherapy? (photos)

Question

Had sclerotherapy on my ankle (>8 months). Last week, a new doctor treated the same area. During the treatment, blood filled each injection site & left me with dark marks like deep bruises. The past week, I wore compression stalkings all day, the marks have faded but now the skin has the appearance and texture of a scar. I’m concerned this doctor damaged my skin - I did not have this side effect with my previous doctor. Please advise if this is normal and/or result of improper technique.

Thomas Buonassisi, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It's hard to tell from the photo if it's just bruising or if there are any surface irregularities to the skin. The bruising is fairly typical after a vein treatment, it always looks worse before looking better. The bruising will fade with time. Finally results are usually seen at 1-2 months post treatment at which time you should follow up with your treatment provider if any marks remain.

Gabriel Goren, MD · Answer

Terrible!! You are right; the skin looks damaged. The reason, the high concentration of the solution that was used.  With time it should fade.

John Landi, MD · Answer

Post sclerotherpay many skin changes can occur and veins tend to look worse for several weeks before they look better.  This seems to be the stage that you are at and I would expect all of your skin changes to improve over the next one month.  Try applying Dermaka cream to the areas and you may see quicker improvement.

Denise Abernethy, MD · Answer

You can get more bruising and bleeding after sclerotherapy due to a number of factors. I'm assuming you are not taking any aspirin or other blood thinners for medical reasons. It looks like time is healing those injection sites as they are starting to fade. I would give it more time to heal as the highest satisfaction post sclerotherapy has been reported up to 12 weeks after injections. No matter what medication is used on injection, there can be leakage of red blood cells from the veins into the skin causing the discoloration. It is possible the doctor used a larger needle which can cause more bruising or bleeding and slower recovery. I doubt this is permanent as most goes patients see resolve after several months, and if not, you can talk to someone about doing some IPL on the spots that remain.

Is blood bruising/scarring at the injection site typical with Sclerotherapy? (photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Bruising, bleeding after sclero

Answer: Bruising, bleeding after sclero

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Is blood bruising/scarring at the injection site typical with Sclerotherapy? (photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Bruising, bleeding after sclero

Answer: Bruising, bleeding after sclero

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Sclerotherapy

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.