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Is Sclerotherapy Permanent?

Sclerotherapy is a type of treatment for small varicose veins and spider veins.

Spider veins are small, damaged veins that present superficially in your body. They are usually close to the skin’s surface. In most cases, spider veins are neither painful nor harmful, but some people may find them unsightly and inconvenient.

Varicose veins are damaged, twisted veins that appear throughout the body. Some varicose veins are too large or deep-set for sclerotherapy. But more minor areas of varicose veins that exist close to the skin’s surface can be treated using sclerotherapy.

What Is Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive medical procedure that has been around since the 1930s. A salt solution is injected directly into the problematic veins during sclerotherapy.

The solution irritates the lining of the blood vessels in the veins, which causes them to collapse and stick together. Gradually, the blood begins to clot. Over time, these vessels turn into scar tissue and get absorbed by your body.

How Does Sclerotherapy Work?

Sclerotherapy works by collapsing treated veins. This procedure is perfectly safe because your body simply redirects circulation to other, healthier veins in the surrounding areas.

When the veins collapse, no blood will pass through them, which results in the treated vein essentially starving. Over time, your body absorbs the collapsed vein into surrounding healthy tissue, and the problematic vein is no longer visible through the skin.

How Long Does It Take to See Results?

Immediately after sclerotherapy, you will still see the problematic veins. It is going to take time for your body to absorb them and for them to disappear.

Generally, you will start to see results anywhere from three to twelve weeks after your sclerotherapy treatment.

For spider veins, the timeline for results is anywhere from three to six weeks on average.

It can take between nine and twelve weeks for the veins to be fully absorbed with this procedure.

How Many Sessions Does It Take?

Most patients only need one session for successful treatment. Suppose your varicose veins are deeper, larger, or thicker; however, you may need a follow-up appointment a couple of months after your initial procedure to determine whether further treatment is necessary.

Is Sclerotherapy Permanent?

Sclerotherapy is permanent. Sclerotherapy essentially kills the vein it treats, and then your body gradually absorbs that vein back into itself. The treated vein will never “come back to life” or manifest again as a problem vein.

How Long Is Sclerotherapy?

The average sclerotherapy appointment usually takes anywhere from fifteen to thirty minutes.

Is Downtime Required?

Since sclerotherapy is minimally invasive, you won’t require any downtime after the procedure! However, your provider may instruct you to wear compression garments in the first few days or weeks following your procedure.

Since there’s no general anesthesia or significant incisions required for sclerotherapy, you can expect to resume your routine and lifestyle following treatment immediately.

To learn more about sclerotherapy, contact us at Metropolitan Vein and Aesthetic Center today.

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