Overview
Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure used to treat varicose and spider veins. Sclerotherapy involves an injection of a sclerosing fluid directly into the varicose vein. The solution irritates the lining of the vessel, causing it to swell and stick together, and the blood to clot. Over time, the vessel turns into scar tissue that fades from view. Sclerotherapy is a well-proven procedure that has been in use since the1930’s to treat varicose veins.

Is this right for me?
Prior to the procedure, you will have an initial consultation with a nurse who will tell you if you are suitable for Sclerotherapy.
This treatment is suitable for both men and women who are troubled by spider veins- those small unsightly clusters of red, blue or purple veins that most  commonly appear on thighs, calves and ankles.

What results can I expect?
Sclerotherapy can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it’s unrealistic to believe that every affected vein will disappear completely as a result of treatment.

After each Sclerotherapy session, the veins will appear lighter. Two or more sessions are usually required to achieve optimal results.

What is involved?
A typical Sclerotherapy treatment is relatively quick, lasting only about 15-45 minutes.  You will be asked to lie down and the skin over your spider veins will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution. Using one hand to stretch the skin taut, your nurse will begin injecting sclerosing agent into the affected veins.

You will be asked to move positions during the treatment and as the procedure continues, you will feel small needle sticks and possibly a mild burning sensation. However, the needle used is so thin and the sclerosing solution is so mild that pain is usually minimal.

What are the benefits?
Sclerotherapy is a quick safe, effective, non-invasive procedure that can greatly diminish the appearance of unsightly spider veins. The skin on your legs will appear younger, clearer and healthier looking.  Patients are often surprised at the dramatic difference in appearance between a treated leg and an untreated one.

What are the Risks
The risks include a mild or severe reaction to the sclerosant, as well as itching, bruising, pain, and blistering where the veins were treated. Also, blood clots or damage in the deep vein system and the most common risk is skin colour changes along the treated vein.

Aftercare
Compression tape will be applied to the area treated. You will usually be able to walk immediately after the treatment but should take it easy for a day or two. While bed rest is not recommended, you may need to avoid strenuous exercise for a few days after Sclerotherapy. It is not uncommon to experience some cramping in the legs for the first day or two after the injections. This temporary problem usually does not require medication.

You should be aware that your treated veins will look worse before they begin to look better. When the compression tape is removed, you will notice bruising and reddish areas at the injection sites. The bruises will diminish within one month.
In many cases, there may be some residual brownish pigmentation which may take up to a year to completely fade. 

How long will the results last?
The results are permanent.  However, you should also be aware that the procedure treats only those veins that are currently visible; it does nothing to permanently alter the venous system or prevent new veins from surfacing in the future.