What Is Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure that’s used to treat:

Varicose Veins These superficial veins, found close to the surface of the skin, are twisted and enlarged. They’re caused by increased blood pressure within the veins. Varicose veins can be found anywhere on the body but commonly affect the legs.

Spider Veins These are a milder, smaller type of varicose vein. Spider veins are typically red or blue in color and look like the pattern of a spider web. They’re frequently found on the face and legs.

With sclerotherapy, doctors inject a solution into the vein to close it off, so blood will reroute through healthier, less twisted veins. This treatment can improve the cosmetic appearance of varicose and spider veins while also reducing symptoms such as swelling, aching, cramping, or burning.

While the recovery is generally quick, results from sclerotherapy can take weeks or months. Some people may need several sclerotherapy treatments to achieve their desired outcome.

Why Would You Need Sclerotherapy?

You might benefit from sclerotherapy if you want to improve the appearance of your varicose veins or spider veins. Or you may consider having the procedure if your problematic veins are causing you pain or discomfort.

However, not everyone is a candidate for the procedure. Sclerotherapy may not be an appropriate treatment if you:

Are pregnant or breastfeeding

Have active deep vein thrombosis (DVT, a blood clot in a deep vein) or a superficial blood clot

Are bedridden

Your doctor might also suggest that you skip having sclerotherapy on a vein that you might need for a surgical bypass procedure in the future. For instance, the saphenous veins, which help send blood in your feet and legs back to your heart, may not be an option as they’re often used for coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Sclerotherapy works best on smaller varicose veins. If you have very large or severe varicose veins, your doctor might recommend surgery instead.

While sclerotherapy is best known for helping people with varicose and spider veins, it may be used for other purposes, such as:

Shrinking hemorrhoids

Treating lymphatic malformations (collections of abnormal vessels that carry lymph fluid around the body)

Correcting hydrocele (an abnormal amount of fluid that accumulates around a man’s testicle)

How Is Sclerotherapy Performed?

Typically, a dermatologist, vascular surgeon, or vein specialist performs sclerotherapy. The procedure is done at your provider’s office and doesn’t require the use of anesthesia.

Your doctor will instruct you to lie on your back or your stomach, depending on the area being treated.

Before the treatment begins, your doctor may perform a test injection to make sure you don’t experience a bad reaction.

Then, your doctor will clean the area with alcohol and stretch your skin at the spot where they will inject the solution. They may use an ultrasound to help locate the affected vein.

Next, the doctor will use very thin needles to inject a liquid or foam solution into your blood vessel. This process will be repeated on other veins if necessary. The solution works by irritating the lining of the vein so that it swells shut and blocks blood flow.

After the needle is removed, your provider will apply compression and massage the area to spread out the solution and keep blood out of the injected vein.

The entire treatment usually takes around 30 to 45 minutes.

How to Prepare for Sclerotherapy

Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for your procedure.

Tell your provider about all the medications and supplements you take prior to having sclerotherapy. You may have to stop taking certain medicines, such as:

Antibiotics, including tetracycline or minocycline

Aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil)

Blood thinners

Prednisone (Rayos, Sterapred)

Iron supplements or vitamins that contain iron

Your provider will tell you how long you should stop taking these medications and when it’s safe to resume using them.

Some other ways to prepare for your procedure include:

Don’t apply any lotion to your legs before sclerotherapy.

Bring a pair of shorts to wear during the procedure.

If you have compression stockings or your doctor requests you wear them after the procedure, bring them with you so you can put them on after the treatment is over.

If your doctor recommends it, make plans to have someone drive you home after your procedure.

What Are the Risks of Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is generally considered a safe procedure, but adverse events can occur. Some possible risks include:

Infection

Severe inflammation

A blood clot or DVT

An allergic reaction to the injected solution

Though extremely rare, there have been a small number of strokes and heart problems reported after sclerotherapy.

You should contact your doctor right away if you experience the following symptoms:

Sudden swelling in your leg

Swelling within 5 inches of your groin

Small ulcers at the site of injection

Red streaking on your skin, especially near your groin

Difficulty breathing, chest pain, dizziness, or coughing up blood

Visual disturbances, headaches, fainting, or nausea

What to Expect During Sclerotherapy

During the procedure, you might feel:

Mild discomfort

Cramping

A burning sensation

Sometimes, doctors use solutions that contain lidocaine to make you more comfortable during the injection.

You may also feel pain if the solution leaks from the vein into your surrounding tissue. If you experience a lot of pain, let your doctor know.

What Are the Complications and Side Effects of Sclerotherapy?

It’s possible that you could have a negative reaction from sclerotherapy. People with underlying medical conditions are more likely to experience complications.

Some possible side effects include the following:

Injected veins may appear lumpy or hardened. This can last for several months.

Your skin may be red where the needle punctured it. This should get better within a few days.

Spots or brown lines may show up on your skin where the solution was injected. These usually go away within a few months, but they can be permanent.

You may have bruising at the injection site that lasts days or weeks.

Small blood vessels can develop in the area that was treated. They should fade away within a few months.

Care After Sclerotherapy

Recovery from sclerotherapy is generally very quick. While many people return to their normal activities right away, it’s a good idea to ask someone to drive you home after you receive your treatment.

You’ll be able to walk and move soon after sclerotherapy. Your doctor will suggest that you move often to prevent blood clots from forming. But you should avoid strenuous exercise for about two weeks after the procedure.

For about two days following your treatment, you should:

Avoid taking aspirin or ibuprofen (Tylenol is okay)

Keep the injection site clean by washing with mild soap and lukewarm water

Avoid taking hot baths or applying heat to the affected area

Keep the affected area out of the sun

As part of your after care, your provider will ask you to wear compression stockings or bandages for about two weeks.

Your doctor will probably want to see you for a follow-up appointment about a month or two after your procedure.

Results from Sclerotherapy

Results from sclerotherapy aren’t immediate. It usually takes about three to six weeks to notice a change. Larger veins may take three to four months or longer.

One session of sclerotherapy may successfully eliminate 50 to 80 percent of the veins that were injected. However, the treatment doesn’t work in about 10 percent of cases. If it’s ineffective, your doctor may recommend a different method, such as surgery or laser therapy.

The treated veins that respond to the procedure won’t reappear, but new veins may crop up over time. If this happens, you may need additional treatments.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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