Sclerotherapy is nothing new. This therapy for removing spider veins has been around in one form or another since the late 1980s. But the introduction of newer techniques has made it as popular as laser vein treatments.
In sclerotherapy, a special solution known as a sclerosant is injected into unwanted blood vessels (the varicose or spider veins). This causes the inner wall of the vein to collapse, making the vein shrink and eventually fade away. To fully remove the spider vein, it usually requires multiple sessions spaced two to four weeks apart.
Achieving your desired results from sclerotherapy involves thorough preparation on your end. At Lumier Medical, we often instruct patients to prepare for the procedure with the following steps:
- Don’t shave your legs before and after your scheduled treatment.
- Don’t use skin care products such as lotions and oils on your legs at least 24 hours before your scheduled treatment.
- Don’t take aspirin or similar NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) before the procedure. You can take your regular medications or supplements the day before your sclerotherapy treatment.
- Wear loose, comfortable shorts during the procedure. Bring compression stockings with you; they will need to be worn immediately after your treatment and for a couple of weeks afterwards.
- Do not schedule long hours of travel, whether via plane or car rides, as they can increase your risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or formation of blood clots deep into the vein, which could be fatal.
- Women who are taking birth control pills or are undergoing hormone replacement therapy should temporarily stop before sclerotherapy as they can also increase the risk of DVT. Other birth control methods are not a problem.
Call us at 310-375-9595 today to learn more about sclerotherapy and how it can help improve the appearance of your unsightly varicose and spider veins today!
