What Are the Types of Sclerotherapy Options?

Question

What agents are used for different types of Sclerotherapy? Does everyone use the same strength solution, or does it depend on the severity of the varicose veins being treated?

Lisa Benest, MD · Answer

There are several options for the sclerotherapy solution, and in my experience, having used them all, they really do all work.  The success lies more in the hands of the person doing the treatment rather than which solution is used.  Sclerotherapy is useful for spider veins, but not the larger rope-like varicose veins.

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

There are many options (traditional or foam) and type of solution (saline or other) and visual or ultrasound guided ... talk to the vein specialist who is Board Certified (American Board of Venous and Lymphatic MEdicine) and they will guide you through the process.

John Landi, MD · Answer

There are essentially 3 classifications of sclerotherapy solutions-detergents, osmotic and chemical.  The most commonly used sclerotherapy agents are sodium tetradecyl sulfate, polidocanol, saline and glycerine.  There are other agents but rarely used anymore.  Polidocanol and tetradecyl can be converted into a foam solution and this is called foam sclerotherapy which is currently the most popular method of sclerotherapy.  All solutions can be used in different strengths depending on the veins being treated.

Tanya Kormeili, MD · Answer

There are a few choices when it comes to using a solution for sclerotherapy. I have used them all, and they all do work. Depending on the size of the blood vessel, one can use more concentrated solutions. However, the risk of complications also can increase.

	
	I have found that combining sclerotherapy with the Vbeam laser can really help get better results. Some tiny veins are too small to be injected and the laser gets rid of them in as few as one treatment!

Anatoli Freiman, MD · Answer

We use Sclerodex for sclerotherapy at theToronto Dermatology Centre.  The treatment is usually done every 6 weeks, and 3-5 sessions are reqiured.

What Are the Types of Sclerotherapy Options?

Answers (7)

Answer: Sclerotherapy and lasers

Answer: Sclerotherapy and lasers

Answer: Sclerotherapy at Toronto Dermatology Centre

Answer: Sclerotherapy at Toronto Dermatology Centre

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Everything you need to know about Sclerotherapy

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What Are the Types of Sclerotherapy Options?

Answers (7)

Answer: Sclerotherapy and lasers

Answer: Sclerotherapy and lasers

Answer: Sclerotherapy at Toronto Dermatology Centre

Answer: Sclerotherapy at Toronto Dermatology Centre

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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.