I really want to know if Sclerotherapy actually works?

Question

I went like 2 months ago for the treatment they just did foam inyections in the big ones but you cannot see them from outside, i need to go back for my spider veins but I'm really not sure what to do! My spider veins they look awful but I really need some second opinion! Thanks

J. Jason Wendel, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question in regards to sclerotherapy. Yes, sclerotherapy can help improve the appearance of spider veins. The veins that you can't see are referred to as "feeder veins". If these veins are not functioning properly and the spider veins are treated first, the likelihood of them reappearing is to be expected. If the feeder veins have already been treated, the results from sclerotherapy to spider veins should be a success! Typically 1-3 treatments are necessary depending on the severity of the veins. To be sure what is best for you, see two or more board-certified providers in your area for a complete evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have treatment. I hope this helps.

Sheila Barbarino, MD, FACS · Answer

Often doctors will treat your feeder vessels (the big ones) first and see if the spider veins will respond. If they have not, they will now respond even better when they are treated and will not return so quickly. I do believe it is best to treat both the big vessels and the smaller (spider veins) closer together to have the successful outcome you desire. Routinely, I space treatments out between 4-6 weeks.  If you have a significant amount of spider veins it's often necessary to treat the feeder vessels before or at the same time as the spider veins and often you can't treat all of them in one sitting if you have that many of them.  If you have just a few spider veins, you can just have those treated instead of having the large and small veins treated, but they might come back sooner. Good luck!

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

This is difficult to answer without pictures. Sclerotherapy is effective. Typically it takes 2-3 treatments of sclerotherapy for improvement otherwise you can try lasers for the smaller vessels.  Best, Dr. Emer

Barry Ginsburg, MD · Answer

I have done thousands of leg vein injection over the past 30 years .. yes they work!  the doctor of course has to be talented enough to hit the veins..
  generally we see 25 to 50 percent improvement with each treatment assuming your legs are not "covered" with spider veins... a good result can take  an average of 3-5 sessions 2 weeks apart.. but i have seen some patients require 10 or more treatments

Albert Malvehy, MD · Answer

It sounds like your doctor is doing the right thing; you really need to have the "root" or "mother veins" treated first. We often don't see these but, if they're not treated, then just injecting the veins you see will result in either no improvement or a complication called matting (new vein formation). Good luck!

Bruce E. Katz, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Sclerotherapy is a great option for spider veins. It involves an injection of a chemical that will cause your vein to contract and become scarred internally. The vein will disappear from your body after some time. Generally, it takes about 8-10 weeks for the vein to disappear. Please make sure you seek treatment from a board-certified dermatologist.

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Once the feeding veins are treated, spider and reticular veins respond better to sclerotherapy. As well, adjunctive treatments with topical creams are important to healing without hyperpigmentation along with a supplement that reduces PIH (Scler-X).H Karamanoukian MD FACScertified vein specialist from ABVLM

Susan Fox, DO, RPVI · Answer

If you have veins that they are treating below the surface that you cannot see, you should have had an ultrasound first.  If there is any sign of vein disease, reflux or other problems, we always get an ultrasound first.  The veins should be treated proximal to distal, largest to smallest to most effectively treat and eliminate the vein problems.  I would recommend a vein specialist evaluate your veins, decide if you need an ultrasound and what treatment best suits you

Michael Nguyen, MD · Answer

Consider a vein specialist that is able to recommend the best treatment for you according to an ultrasound result part of the initial evaluation and also your specific goals. Basically healthy veins contain valves that open and close to assist the return of blood back to the heart. When these valves that keep blood flowing out of the lower extremities and back to the heart are not functioning well is call venous reflux. Because of reflux the blood pool in the legs can lead to signs and symptoms like varicose veins, spider veins, swelling, pain, cramps, burning sensation or itching of the skin, and other changes in the lower extremities. If you are concerned about this changes in your legs related to veins, a physician evaluation is the first step because he/she can help you decide best treatment or combination of treatments to manage your healthcare and also meet your goals. 
Best,

Ivan Brooks, MD · Answer

Sclerotherapy is a great way to treat unsightly veins. Generally it can require multiple treatment sessions to get the desired effect. Anyone that says 1 treatment is all you need isn't telling you the truth.

I really want to know if Sclerotherapy actually works?

Answers (12)

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