- 1. What types are there?
- 2. Who can do sclerotherapy?
- 3. Does sclerotherapy hurt?
- 4. How many sessions are needed?
- 5. Is it possible to do sclerotherapy through SUS?
- 6. What are the possible side effects?
- 7. What care should be taken?
- 8. Can the spider veins and varicose veins come back?
Sclerotherapy is a treatment done by the angiologist to eliminate or reduce veins and, therefore, it is widely used to treat spider veins or varicose veins. For this reason, sclerotherapy is also often referred to as "varicose vein application" and is usually done by injecting a substance directly into the varicose vein to eliminate it.
After treatment with sclerotherapy, the treated vein tends to disappear over a few weeks and, therefore, it may take up to a month to observe the final result. This treatment can also be used in other cases of dilated veins, such as hemorrhoids or hydrocele, for example, although it is more rare.
1. What types are there?
There are 3 main types of sclerotherapy, which vary according to how the destruction of the veins is done:
- Glucose sclerotherapy: also known as injection sclerotherapy, it is especially used to treat spider veins and small varicose veins. It is done with the injection of glucose directly into the vein, which causes irritation and inflammation of the vessel, resulting in scars that end up closing it; Laser sclerotherapy: is a technique most used to eliminate spider veins from the face, trunk and legs. In this type, the doctor uses a small laser to increase the temperature of the vessel and cause its destruction. By using laser, it is a more expensive procedure. Foam sclerotherapy: this type is more used in thick varicose veins. For this, the doctor injects a small amount of carbon dioxide foam that irritates the varicose vein, causing it to develop scars and be more disguised in the skin.
The type of sclerotherapy should be discussed with the angiologist or dermatologist, as it is important to evaluate all the characteristics of the skin and the varicose vein itself, to choose the type with the best result for each case.
2. Who can do sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy can generally be used in almost all cases of spider veins and varicose veins, however, as it is an invasive method, it should be used only when other methods, such as the use of elastic stockings, cannot reduce varicose veins. Thus, one should always discuss with the doctor the possibility of starting this type of treatment.
Ideally, the person who is going to do sclerotherapy should not be overweight, to ensure better healing and the appearance of other spider veins.
3. Does sclerotherapy hurt?
Sclerotherapy can cause pain or discomfort when the needle is inserted into the vein or afterwards, when the liquid is inserted, a burning sensation may appear in the area. However, this pain is usually bearable or can be alleviated with the use of an anesthetic ointment on the skin, for example.
4. How many sessions are needed?
The number of sclerotherapy sessions varies greatly according to each case. Therefore, while in some cases it may be necessary to have only one session of sclerotherapy, there are cases in which it may be necessary to do other sessions until the desired result is obtained. The thicker and more visible the varicose vein to be treated, the greater the number of sessions required.
5. Is it possible to do sclerotherapy through SUS?
Since 2018, it is possible to have free sclerotherapy sessions through SUS, especially in severe cases when varicose veins cause symptoms such as constant pain, swelling or thrombosis.
To make the treatment by SUS, you must make an appointment at the health center and discuss with the doctor the benefits of sclerotherapy in the specific case. If approved by the doctor, then it is necessary to have tests to assess general health and, if all is well, you should wait in line until you are called to do the procedure.
6. What are the possible side effects?
Side effects of sclerotherapy include a burning sensation at the site immediately after the injection, which tends to disappear within a few hours, formation of small bubbles at the site, dark spots on the skin, bruises, which appear when the veins are very fragile and tend to disappear spontaneously, swelling and allergic reactions to the substance used in the treatment.
7. What care should be taken?
Sclerotherapy care must be taken before and after the procedure. The day before sclerotherapy, you should avoid doing epilation or applying creams in the place where the treatment will be done.
After sclerotherapy, it is recommended:
- Wear an elastic compression stocking, like Kendall, during the day, for at least 2 to 3 weeks; Do not wax in the first 24 hours; Avoid exhaustive physical exercise for 2 weeks; Avoid sun exposure for at least 2 weeks;
Although the treatment is effective, sclerotherapy does not prevent the formation of new varicose veins, and, therefore, if there are no general precautions such as always using elastic stockings and avoiding standing or sitting too long, other varicose veins may appear.
8. Can the spider veins and varicose veins come back?
The spider veins and varicose veins treated with sclerotherapy rarely reappear, however, as this treatment does not address the cause of varicose veins, such as lifestyle or being overweight, new varicose veins and spider veins may appear in other places on the skin. See what you can do to prevent new varicose veins.
