Sclerotherapy results are permanent. However, new varicose veins and spider veins can develop in other areas over time.
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What is sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a nonsurgical, minimally invasive procedure that treats varicose veins and spider veins. A vascular (vein) specialist injects a chemical solution into the affected vein. The solution irritates the vein and causes it to seal off. Once the vein is closed, blood flows through healthier veins, and the varicose vein or spider vein becomes less noticeable.
Board-certified vascular specialists at Mass General Brigham Heart and Vascular offer a full range of endovenous treatments, including sclerotherapy for varicose veins and spider veins.
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Who needs sclerotherapy?
You may want sclerotherapy injections if you have varicose veins or spider veins. These venous diseases cause visible red, blue, or purple veins, typically on the legs.
While spider veins aren’t harmful, sclerotherapy for spider veins can improve their appearance.
Varicose veins, however, can cause problems. Sclerotherapy for varicose veins can improve appearance and ease symptoms such as:
- Heaviness or pressure in your legs
- Pain, itchiness, or soreness
- Skin ulcers and other problems
- Swelling or throbbing in your legs, feet, and ankles
Sclerotherapy benefits
Sclerotherapy is an endovenous treatment, which means it takes place directly inside the veins. This procedure can effectively get rid of most varicose veins and nearly all spider veins without surgically removing the veins.
Sclerotherapy may be less effective on larger, bulging varicose veins. Your provider may recommend a different venous treatment, such as endovenous laser therapy (EVLT), if you have large varicose veins.
Benefits of sclerotherapy include:
- Improved appearance
- Low risk of external scarring or infection
- Minimal pain with no need for anesthesia
- Convenient outpatient procedure, allowing you to return home the same day
- Reduced varicose vein symptoms, such as pain and swelling
Sclerotherapy side effects
It can take longer to see results from sclerotherapy compared to other vein disease treatments. Potential temporary sclerotherapy side effects include:
- Itching or swelling due to a mild allergic reaction to the injected solution
- Bruising at the injection site, which typically fades within a few days
- Brown spots or lines on the skin at the treatment site, which usually fade in a few months
- Hardening or lumpiness of the treated veins, which generally resolves within a few months
Preparing for sclerotherapy
Your care team will explain how to prepare for sclerotherapy. You may need to:
- Avoid body lotions on the day of the procedure
- Bring compression socks (stockings) to wear after the procedure
- Stop taking certain medications several days before the procedure, such as blood thinners
What to expect during sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is an outpatient procedure that takes place in your provider’s office while you’re awake. You’ll be able to drive yourself home afterward. Most sclerotherapy procedures take 30 to 45 minutes.
Depending on the location of the veins receiving treatment, you may lie on your back or stomach on an exam table. There are several chemical solutions for sclerotherapy. Your provider will choose a solution and appropriate strength based on your unique needs.
For your safety, your provider may inject a small amount of solution into a vein and wait a few minutes to make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction.
During sclerotherapy, your provider:
- Cleans the injection site with an antiseptic
- Gently pulls on the skin to make it taut
- Uses one or more fine needles to inject the solution directly into the affected veins
Recovery after sclerotherapy
After the injections, you may remain lying down for 15 minutes to make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction. You’ll leave with a compression bandage or compression sock covering the treatment area. Compression helps promote blood flow and reduces swelling and pain. You may need to wear compression socks for up to a week after treatment.
You should follow your care team’s instructions for at-home care and activity restrictions. In most cases, you can resume regular activities soon after treatment.
It may take several weeks for spider veins to fade and several months for larger varicose veins to disappear completely. Some people need more than one treatment session for the same vein. Before undergoing sclerotherapy, talk to your provider about what results you can expect. It’s important to go into the procedure with realistic expectations.
FAQs about sclerotherapy
Yes. Sclerotherapy is a nonsurgical treatment for varicose veins. Our providers also offer other nonsurgical varicose vein treatments, including endovenous laser ablation, mechanicochemical ablation, and radiofrequency ablation.
You may feel a slight pinch as the needle enters your skin. There may be a mild burning sensation as the solution moves through a vein. Some people experience cramping for a few minutes when they get sclerotherapy injections into large varicose veins.
Yes, walking after sclerotherapy helps improve blood circulation and aid recovery.
Policies vary, so it’s best to check with your health insurer about coverage. Most insurers don’t cover sclerotherapy for cosmetic purposes. However, some may cover sclerotherapy if varicose veins cause symptoms that impact your daily life.
Sclerotherapy fees vary by provider. You should ask your provider for an estimate of sclerotherapy costs before getting the procedure
People who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not have sclerotherapy. You may not be able to get sclerotherapy injections if you have deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or a history of blood clots.
