If you have varicose veins in your legs, you may be self-conscious about them and reluctant to wear clothing that shows your legs. You might even have aching, swelling, or cramping due to the enlarged veins. One common treatment for varicose veins is sclerotherapy, an outpatient procedure that can reduce the appearance of your veins within a few weeks. 

How Does Sclerotherapy Work?

Sclerotherapy is a treatment that involves injecting a medicated solution called sclerosant directly into the affected vein. This causes it to swell, which in turn, restricts the blood and lymphatic fluid from flowing through the vein. Ultimately, this restricted flow causes the vein to shrink and collapse, and eventually become scar tissue that is absorbed into the surrounding tissue and disappears. The blood flow is redirected to other nearby blood vessels, and in most cases, you’ll no longer see the vein on the outside of your leg or experience pain, rashes, or other problems. 

What Is the Procedure Like?

Sclerotherapy takes less than an hour. Once the injection site is sterilized with alcohol, your doctor will inject the needle into the vein. You might feel a slight pinch or burning while the solution is injected. Afterward, the doctor will massage the area to prevent blood from re-entering the vein, and will recommend compression pads or stockings for a few days to keep the blood from returning to the injection site. Some people experience slight bruising or tenderness, but the procedure is very safe with a low risk of complications. Most people see full results three to six months after their first injection. 

What Is Recovery Like?

One of the benefits of this procedure is that there is little to no downtime after the injections, although some people may need multiple sessions to fully collapse the vein. Immediately after the procedure, your doctor will advise you to walk around to prevent dangerous blood clots; however, avoid strenuous exercise for a few weeks. Avoiding sunlight for several weeks is also important, as exposure to UV rays can cause dark spots at the injection site.

If you have varicose veins and want to treat them, turn to skilled dermatologist Lauren A. Daman, M.D. for sclerotherapy. Serving the Hartford, CT, area, the team of skin experts at this practice uses cutting-edge technology and training for a wide range of skin care services, including phototherapy, microdermabrasion, and age spot treatment. Visit their website to learn more about their services or call (860) 246-3533 to schedule an appointment.