Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is sclerotherapy and how does it work?

A. Sclerotherapy is the treatment of varicose and spider veins by injection. The process involves the injection of a medication into a diseased vein followed by the application of compression bandages or prescription support stockings. This will cause the vein to collapse and fade over time. The number of injections, cost, frequency of treatment, and actual technique may vary depending upon where you receive your treatment.

Q. Are the injections painful?

A. Though not completely painless, the small needles used for the procedure produce only a slight "pinching" sensation and treatments are considered by most to be far better than the "painless" laser treatments.

Q. Will I need time off of work?

A. Sclerotherapy requires no lost time from work or daily activities. All treatments are performed in our offices with the initial venous evaluation requiring approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. Injections sessions usually last from 15 to 45 minutes depending upon the procedure performed.

Q. What are the possible side effects of the procedure?

A. Side effects are rare and will be discussed with you prior to any treatment so that you may decide whether or not to begin. The most common side effects are tenderness of the treated vein, temporary brownish discoloration of the skin with the treatment of larger veins, and rare allergic reactions to the medication.

Q. What about laser treatment?

A. Laser may be effective for the treatment of very fine spider veins in selected patients but has not been proven effective in the treatment of larger spider or varicose veins.

Q. Will the treatment cause new veins to appear?

A. Sclerotherapy (in trained hands) is a very safe and effective method of treatment for varicose and spider veins but does not "cure" the underlying problems which may cause new veins to appear. Hereditary factors, pregnancies, prolonged sitting or standing, trauma, and several other factors may contribute to the development of new veins. It is extremely rare for the treatment to actually cause new veins to appear.

Q. How many treatments will I need?

A. The number of treatments needed to treat an individual varies greatly depending on the severity of the problem. Generally with spider veins, it will take two to three treatments before you notice a difference. With larger varicose veins, the number of treatments will depend upon the size and pressure within the vein as well as the procedure(s) performed.

Q. What can I expect from my treatment?

A. It is unrealistic to believe that every affected vein will disappear completely with one treatment. With each subsequent treatment session your veins should appear noticeably lighter.