Sclerotherapy

What is Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment for spider veins and varicose veins in which a specially formulated solution is injected directly into the affected vein. The solution irritates the vein lining, causing it to swell, collapse, and seal shut. Over time, the treated vein is absorbed by the body and fades from view, with blood flow naturally rerouting to nearby healthy veins.

Sclerotherapy has been used safely and effectively for decades and remains one of the most popular treatments for spider veins and small to medium-sized varicose veins. It is performed in our office without anesthesia, requires no downtime, and delivers excellent cosmetic and symptomatic results.

How Does Sclerotherapy Work?

The Procedure

1. Preparation: The treatment area is cleaned and positioned for optimal access. No anesthesia is needed.
2. Injection: Using a very fine needle, your physician injects the sclerosing solution directly into the targeted vein. You may feel a mild pinch or slight burning sensation during injection, but discomfort is minimal.
3. Multiple injections: During a single session, multiple veins can be treated. A typical session involves several microinjections and lasts 15-30 minutes.
4. Compression: After the injections, the treated area may be wrapped with compression bandages or you may be asked to put on compression stockings.

Types of Sclerotherapy

Visual Sclerotherapy: For spider veins and small varicose veins close to the skin’s surface, the physician can see the veins directly and inject them without imaging guidance. This is the most common form of sclerotherapy.

Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy: For larger varicose veins deeper below the skin, ultrasound provides a live view of the veins, ensuring the physician injects the sclerosant into the precise location for the best treatment results. Ultrasound guidance is particularly important for treating veins that feed visible spider veins from below the surface.

Sclerosing Solutions

At Preferred Vascular Group, we primarily use two FDA-approved sclerosing agents:

• Sodium Tetradecyl Sulphate (STS): A widely used, effective sclerosant suitable for a range of vein sizes
• Asclera (polidocanol): An FDA-approved sclerosant known for being well-tolerated with minimal discomfort

During your consultation, your physician will determine the best solution and concentration for your specific condition.

Who is a Candidate for Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy may be recommended if you have:

• Spider veins on the legs that are cosmetically bothersome
• Small to medium-sized varicose veins
• Reticular veins (the bluish-green veins that often “feed” surface spider veins)
• Symptoms associated with spider or varicose veins, such as aching, burning, or swelling
• Residual spider veins after vein ablation treatment

Sclerotherapy is not recommended during pregnancy. Patients with a history of blood clots or certain allergies should discuss their medical history with their physician before treatment.

Benefits of Sclerotherapy

• No anesthesia required: The procedure involves only the sensation of small needle sticks
• Quick treatment sessions: Most sessions take just 15-30 minutes
• No downtime: You can return to normal activities immediately after treatment
• Effective for multiple veins: Many veins can be treated in a single session
• Excellent cosmetic results: Treated veins fade significantly over weeks to months
• Symptom relief: Reduces aching, burning, and heaviness associated with vein disease
• Office-based procedure: No hospital visit required
• Well-established: Decades of proven safety and effectiveness [1]

What to Expect During Recovery

Sclerotherapy recovery is minimal, and most patients resume their daily routine right away:

• Immediately after: You can walk and drive. Walking is encouraged to promote circulation.
• Compression: Compression stockings are typically worn for 1-2 weeks as directed by your physician.
• Activity: Normal activities can be resumed immediately. Avoid strenuous exercise, hot baths, saunas, and prolonged sun exposure on the treated area for about two weeks.
• Appearance: Treated veins may initially look darker or more prominent before they begin to fade. Spider veins typically fade within 3-6 weeks. Larger veins may take 3-4 months.
• Multiple sessions: Most patients need 2-4 treatment sessions spaced several weeks apart for optimal results, depending on the number and size of veins being treated.

Potential Side Effects

Sclerotherapy is very safe when performed by an experienced vascular specialist. Common, temporary side effects include:

• Bruising at injection sites (resolves within 1-2 weeks)
• Temporary skin discoloration (brownish spots that typically fade over weeks to months)
• Mild itching or swelling around treated veins
• Small, firm lumps (trapped blood) at injection sites that resolve on their own or can be drained

Less common side effects include:

• Temporary tiny red blood vessels (matting) near the treatment area
• Allergic reaction to the sclerosing solution (rare)
• Skin ulceration at the injection site (very rare)

Your physician will discuss all potential side effects during your consultation.

Sclerotherapy vs. Other Vein Treatments

For many patients, the best results come from a combined approach — treating underlying vein reflux with ablation first, then addressing remaining spider and varicose veins with sclerotherapy.

Why Choose Preferred Vascular Group?

Our physicians and nurses have extensive experience performing sclerotherapy for patients across Georgia and Ohio. At Preferred Vascular Group, you receive:

• Thorough vein evaluation to identify any underlying venous insufficiency before treatment
• Experienced providers skilled in both visual and ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy
• Personalized treatment plans designed for optimal cosmetic and functional outcomes
• FDA-approved sclerosing agents selected for your specific condition
• Comfortable, office-based treatment with no downtime
• Eight convenient locations for accessible care

If spider veins or small varicose veins are affecting your comfort or confidence, sclerotherapy can help. Schedule a consultation to discuss your treatment options.

References

1. Sclerotherapy. StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing, 2024. NCBI Bookshelf
2. Rabe E, et al. “Treatment for telangiectasias and reticular veins.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2011. PubMed
3. Kern P, et al. “Sclerotherapy of telangiectasias or spider veins in the lower limb: A review.” Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2016. PubMed