What is sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical minimally invasive treatment that our center offers as a spider vein treatment in Beverly Hills. However, sclerotherapy can also be used to treat small to medium-sized varicose veins. This is an outpatient treatment that requires no recovery time and the patient may drive themselves home. Walking right after the treatment is encouraged.
There are no incisions and no anesthesia is necessary, so the treatment is very convenient for the patient. The procedure involves injecting a solution into the troublesome vein, after which they disappear from sight.
Depending on the case, it may be necessary to repeat the treatment a number of times. Patients tolerate sclerotherapy well and only a very small percentage doesn’t respond to the treatment. The usual interval between successive treatments is around a month.
Sclerotherapy is often performed with other vein treatments to enhance the results. It is one of the oldest methods which has been improved with advanced agents and instruments. The fact it has been in use for decades confirms its effectiveness.
How is sclerotherapy done?
The doctor inserts a very fine needle into the problematic vein and injects a solution which is called sclerosant. This substance irritates the vein lining, causing it to swell. As a result, the walls of the vessel stick together and the blood clots. Over time, the vessel collapses and gets dissolved into the surrounding tissue, thus fading away.
The treatment lasts only between 15 minutes to half an hour, which depends on the size and number of the veins treated. The treatment is done in the doctor’s office.
During treatment the patient can experience very mild cramping, which is connected with the chemical reaction inside the vein. However, this lasts for only about a minute or two and the discomfort is not significant.
After the treatment, the patient may feel itching or bruising, but that generally goes away after a day or two.
Am I a good candidate for this spider vein treatment in Beverly Hills?
Sclerotherapy cannot be performed when the patient is pregnant.
If the patient has a history of blood clots or other vascular problems, the eligibility is decided after consideration. The same goes if the person smokes.
What are the benefits of sclerotherapy over other treatments?
Sclerotherapy is the quickest of all procedures for vein treatment and this is a huge benefit. It is also very safe and almost painless.
It is very effective for cases where the patients experience primarily aesthetic discomfort. However, sclerotherapy can also relieve mild pain associated with this condition.
To find out what treatment option will be best for you, contact us to schedule an appointment.
