For appointments: 1 203 661 7546|40 West Elm Street, Greenwich CT 06830
For appointments call 1 203 661 7546

Sclerotherapy

Visit our Dermatology Clinic in Greenwich, Connecticut

Request a consultation
  • It is the general consensus among phlebologists (=leg vein treatment experts) that 95% of leg veins should be treated with sclerotherapy first, because it is safe, effective and affordable. Large varicosities can be surgically treated with a variety of vascular procedures including stripping, endovenous radio-frequency or laser ablation.
  • Sclerotherapy involves the injection of a sclerosing agent into the veins via a very fine needle. All sclerosing agents are comfortable when injected, except for hypertonic saline which is reserved for the most resistant vessels
  • A compression dressing is applied immediately after treatment and kept on for a few days. Exercising can be resumed within days to weeks depending on the size of the vessels treated.
  • Sclerotherapy generally clears 80% of the treated veins. Multiple sessions may be necessary. 20% of patients can develop neovascularisation, which are clusters of smaller new vessels which require further treatments. Some patients develop temporary brown discolorations due to the iron deposits from the old vein. These can take months to clear.
  • Small resistant vessels or needle-phobic patients can be treated with a long pulse ND:YAG laser such as Cynergy Multiplex or an alexandrite laser such as the GentleLase.
  • Sclerotherapy is best done in the fall and winter. Unfortunately, patients invariably show up in the spring before bathing suit season!

Frequently Asked Questions

One of the best ways is through a process called sclerotherapy. This is a non-invasive treatment that involves injecting a dissolving fluid into the veins to make their coloring less noticeable.

In comparison to other procedures, the downtime associated with sclerotherapy is very minimal. People are encouraged to get up and walk around the day after their procedure to promote circulation and healing. Although you need to wear compression stockings and avoid strenuous exercise for two weeks after the procedure, you can resume your daily activities immediately.

In most cases, your insurance won’t reimburse for the cost of sclerotherapy. But they may offer partial coverage if your veins cause uncomfortable symptoms such as pain, itching, or throbbing.

Sclerotherapy will be effective for most mild to moderate cases of varicose veins. However, people with severe vein bulges will require surgery to strip the veins and offer more lasting results.