Sclerotherapy

BEFORE & AFTER GALLERY. click here...

Sclereotherapy can make a dramatic difference in how your legs look. The skin of your legs will appear younger, clearer and more healthy-looking. Once again, you can wear skirts and shorts without feeling uncomfortable about the look of those unsightly veins.

Sclereotherapy is a relatively simple procedure using tiny needles to inject a sclerosing solution into the problem veins, causing them to dissolve, collapse and fade. Not only will your leg's appearance improve dramatically, the bothersome symptoms associated with spider veins will also disappear, including burning, aching, swelling and night cramps. Sclerosing agents are mild enough to allow predictable and relatively painless treatment.

Who are the best candidates for Sclerotherapy? Woman (and some men) of any age who are suffering from unsightly spider veins. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advisable to postpone sclerotherapy treatment, as it is unknown how the solution may affect breast milk.
Dr. Dishakjian will review your medical history and the severity of your condition with you to determine the best treatment or combination of treatments.

What to Expect - The typical sclerotherapy session is quick, lasting only about 15 to 45 minutes. While lying on an examination table, the treatment area of your legs will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution. The injections are very small and cause only minimal discomfort. Anesthesia is not necessary.

Approximately one injection is administered for every inch of spider vein. Some people may experience some cramping or a mild burning sensation which quickly dissipates. Typically, two to five sessions are required to achieve optimal results. The procedure treats only those veins that are currently visible, and does nothing to permanently alter the venous system or prevent new spider veins from surfacing in the future.

What are the side effects? Common side effects are usually temporary and well tolerated. You may experience some itching, tenderness and skin bruising. You should be aware that your treated veins will probably look worse before they begin to look better. When the compression dressings are removed, you may notice bruising and reddish areas at the injection sites. The bruises will diminish within one month. In some cases, there may be some residual brownish pigmentation which may take up to a year to completely fade.

Serious medical complications from sclerotherapy are extremely rare when the procedure is performed by a qualified physician. Risks include the formation of blood clots in the veins, severe inflammation, adverse allergic reactions to the sclerosing solution and skin injury that could leave a small but permanent scar.

What is recovery like? Although sclerotherapy generally does not require any recovery time, it is advisable to avoid activities that may lead to dilation of veins and blood stagnation, such as heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, hot baths or being inactive. You are encouraged to walk to prevent clots from forming in the deep veins of the legs. Wearing compression stockings is also recommended to improve outcome and minimize discomfort and complications.