Sclerotherapy
At Cosmetic Laser Dermatology in San Diego, our board-certified dermatologists are considered world authorities in sclerotherapy, a proven, minimally invasive treatment that fades unwanted or problematic spider and varicose veins with precision. By restoring a smoother, clearer look to your legs, hands, chest, and ankles, sclerotherapy helps you feel more confident and comfortable in your skin.
Sclerotherapy Videos
Proven Vein Elimination
Sclerotherapy is a highly effective treatment that can eliminate over 90% of injected veins in a single session, which typically takes no more than 15 minutes.
Quick Treatment Process
The procedure involves injecting sclerosing agents directly into the problematic veins to safely and effectively cut off the blood supply to the feeder vein and other smaller visible leg veins or telangiectasia.
Immediate Visual Results
When the injection is administered, the veins literally disappear in real time, providing you with instant visual confirmation of the treatment’s effectiveness.However, it takes the body at least 2 months to completely reabsorb the veins.
Minimally Invasive Approach
This treatment method is designed to effectively close off the targeted veins, allowing them to dissolve and be absorbed by the body gradually over a few weeks to months.
Comfortable Recovery
Most patients experience no discomfort post-treatment, and any minor swelling, discoloration, and/or bruising typically resolves within 6-8 weeks. Patients are required to wear graduated compression stockings to help ensure veins do not re-generate during the healing process.
Customized Treatment Plans
Results vary and depend on each patient’s unique vein issues and overall health. In some cases, 1 session is sufficient, and other times 2-3 sessions may be required for complete removal of visible veins.
Understanding the Treatment
Sclerotherapy involves a series of injections with a sclerosing agent directly into the problematic veins. Through the skill and technique of our board-certified dermatologists, this treatment safely and effectively cuts off the blood supply to the feeder vein.
The Procedure Experience
During your appointment, you will be given disposable shorts to wear and will lie flat on a treatment bed. Multiple injections will be administered to the affected areas. Your physician will determine if both legs can be treated in one visit. If only one leg can be treated, you may schedule as soon as the next day to have the other leg treated.
Post-Treatment Care
After treatment, medical grade graduated compression stockings must be worn around the clock for a full 7 days. By wearing compression stockings, the blood supply remains cut off in the targeted vein, causing it to dissolve over a few weeks. Walking as much as possible is recommended after treatment.
Timeline for Results
The procedure improves the appearance of the legs, chest, and hands and relieves symptoms associated with varicose and spider veins, such as aching, swelling, and discomfort. On average, it takes 6-8 weeks to notice full improvement. Our approach to sclerotherapy focuses on aesthetic improvements and enhancing your overall quality of life.
What You May Experience
You may experience tenderness, soreness, itching, and mild discomfort for a few days, with normal bruising and darkening of the veins. If a coagulum (small blood collection) occurs after two weeks, schedule a follow-up to have it drained.
Sclerotherapy FAQ
Sclerotherapy is ideal for men and women looking for a safe, minimally invasive treatment to help eliminate unsightly spider or varicose veins on the legs, ankles, chest, or hands.
A typical sclerotherapy session takes no more than 15 minutes, making it a convenient option for those with busy schedules.
Most patients experience little to no discomfort during or post-treatment.
Results vary and depend on each patient’s unique vein issues and overall health. In some cases, 1 session is sufficient, and other times 2-3 sessions may be recommended to achieve the best possible results.
Sclerotherapy can help eliminate leg veins, ankle veins, chest veins, and hand veins.
The veins literally disappear in real time during treatment. On average, it takes 6-8 weeks to notice full improvement as the treated veins dissolve and are absorbed by the body.
You may experience minor swelling, discoloration, and/or bruising after treatment. Hyperpigmentation (brown staining) of the skin located over the treated veins may persist for weeks to months prior to resolving.
Avoid self-tanners and spray tans 4 weeks prior to treatment.
After treatment, medical-grade graduated compression stockings must be worn around the clock for a full 7 days. Walking as much as possible is recommended after treatment.
With sclerotherapy, you can have successful vein removal without surgery, anesthesia, or downtime. Most patients can return to their normal activities immediately following treatment.
