Sclerotherapy in Philadelphia
Are you looking for sclerotherapy in Philadelphia? Meeting Point Health offers sclerotherapy to help patients improve the appearance of varicose veins and spider veins. Contact the specialists at Meeting Point Health today to schedule this quick, outpatient procedure.
What is Sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a procedure in which a solution is injected into a varicose vein. The solution causes the vein to collapse and eventually be reabsorbed into the surrounding tissue.
What Can Sclerotherapy Treat?
This outpatient procedure treats both varicose veins and spider veins.
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are large, twisted veins that may appear red, blue, or skin-colored. They can cause the overlying skin to bulge out, and they often appear on the thighs, calves, and legs. Sometimes they can also occur in the pelvic area during pregnancy.
Spider Veins
Spider veins are smaller than varicose veins. They usually do not bulge out of the skin, and most often appear red or purplish in color. As their name suggests, these veins resemble a tree branch or spider web..
Benefits
This treatment is effective at reducing the severity of both spider veins and varicose veins in 90% of patients. Used by doctors since the 1930’s, sclerotherapy is a proven treatment for improving the appearance of both vascular conditions.
Sclerotherapy Procedure
This outpatient procedure should only take about 30-45 minutes. During this time, the doctor will cleanse the injection sites and inject the solution directly into the bulging vein with a fine needle. The number of injections needed will depend on the size of the treatment area and the health of the patient.
What to Expect Before Your Appointment
There are several medications you should not take in the weeks leading up to and directly following your procedure. Tetracycline and minocin, both antibiotics, can react negatively with the injected solution and cause a staining of the skin.
Patients should avoid anti-inflammatory medications including ibuprofen, aspirin, or steroidal medications like prednisone as these medications can reduce the effectiveness of the injected solution.
Additionally, patients should avoid putting on creams or lotions before the procedure to prevent any adverse reactions.
Results
Mild swelling after the procedure is normal. Any discomfort from the injection should subside shortly after the procedure is complete. Generally, one procedure can eliminate between 50% and 80% of varicose and spider veins, depending on the severity of the condition. More sessions may be necessary to reduce the appearance of larger, more extensive varicose and spider veins.
Spider veins usually disappear after three to six weeks of treatment. However, varicose veins—which are bigger—can take up to three to four months to disappear.
FAQs
Sclerotherapy is a procedure that involves the injection of a sclerosant solution into the veins to help close and collapse them, thus reducing their appearance. Many sclerotherapists use polidocanol (Asclera), which has been shown to cause less bruising inside the veins.
Patients with bulging spider and/or varicose veins on the legs, ankles, and feet are good candidates. Medical conditions such as scleroderma, hepatitis C, obesity, xeroderma pigmentosa, and conditions requiring blood thinners are contraindications to sclerotherapy.
It is not typically associated with any significant pain. Many sclerotherapists will numb the area prior to treatment so there is no discomfort for patients during injections.
It is performed on specific varicose veins is permanent. However, new vascularization can occur. Patients typically need multiple follow-up treatments to address multiple areas and reevaluate treated areas.
Post-treatment recommendations include:
- Wearing compression wear to reduce possible swelling.
- Avoid sunbathing, heat, and strenuous exercise for at least 2 weeks.
- For one month following, refraining from strenuous exercise/activity for 24 hours.
- Topical arnica can be used after to help reduce bruising.
FAST FACTS
- COST
Starting at $250
- FREQUENCY
Every 2 weeks until the desired outcome is achieved
- TREATMENT TIME
15-30 min
- RECOVERY
Downtime is between 24-72 hours and can include some swelling or tenderness at the sclerotherapy treatment site. Maximum results are usually achieved in about 3 months.
Reserve Your Appointment Today
For more information on Sclerotherapy in Philadelphia, or to reserve an appointment, contact Meeting Point Health today!
