If you have bothersome varicose veins or spider veins, you may be considering sclerotherapy. This is a nonsurgical, minimally invasive procedure where the doctor injects medicine into your enlarged blood vessels to cause them to shrink and fade away.
It is a highly effective treatment for reducing the symptoms that can accompany both spider veins and varicose veins. These symptoms can include swelling, burning, and cramping of the legs, especially at nighttime. Sclerotherapy can also treat disorders of the blood and lymph vessels that cause the formation of veins on the legs.
How Does Sclerotherapy Work?
A physician injects a special solution into the problematic blood vessel. This solution causes the vein to shrink, which closes the flow of blood to the spider veins or varicose veins and reroutes the blood to nearby healthy veins. The collapsed spider or varicose veins eventually fade away, because the body naturally absorbs the now-unnecessary vein.
The procedure is quick and should not cause severe pain. The recovery process is also relatively short and easy, and it requires practically no downtime afterward.
Sclerotherapy Recovery Process
Each person will recover from sclerotherapy at their own pace, but there are several things you can do to help quicken your recovery so you can bare your legs sooner rather than later:
Get Moving
After sclerotherapy, you are encouraged to get moving in order to promote blood flow, and to prevent the formation of blood clots. It’s normal for the injection site(s) to feel tender and to have bruising, but you should have no trouble walking.
However, you should give it a rest for about a week. Do not go dancing or play sports soon after the procedure, just walk around normally for proper recovery after the treatment.
Rest
This is the time to get all the rest you want. Sleeping helps your body recover more quickly from any type of procedure, so don’t feel guilty if you are getting in more zzz’s than usual. Allow your body to heal and rehabilitate itself from the sclerotherapy.
Wear Compression Stockings
The doctor will also recommend that you wear compression stockings in an effort to apply constant support to the veins and to help get your blood circulating. Compression stockings can also minimize bruising after sclerotherapy.
Ask your doctor how long you should continue to wear compression stockings after the sclerotherapy procedure. For some people, it is recommended to wear them for several weeks for optimum results and health benefits.
Avoid Sunlight
It’s best to avoid exposing the treated area to sunlight in order to prevent the development of dark spots. If it’s still in its healing stages and if you still see bruising, do not expose it to sunlight. Give it at least two weeks.
Cleanse and Shower Carefully
Your doctor will likely tell you that you can take a shower the day after the procedure. Just be careful not to rub the towel against your legs; gently pat to dry them.
Sclerotherapy in Houston
The Vein Institute & MediSpa specializes in vein treatments that target unsightly veins in the legs. Our varicose vein physicians understand the effect veins can have on not just your physical appearance, but also your confidence and overall health.
From sclerotherapy to endovenous laser therapy to harmony laser therapy, we are trained in the most advanced procedures to remove spider veins and varicose veins.
If you would like to schedule a consultation, call The Vein Institute & MediSpa at (281) 312-0208 or request an appointment online now. Our friendly specialists welcome you to our medical spa clinic!
