Once you have consulted with a vein specialist and determined that Sclerotherapy is the right treatment option for your spider veins, you may be wondering what comes next. Take a look at what you can expect to experience before, during and after spider vein treatment.
Preparing for Your Sclerotherapy Appointment
There are a few things you will need to do in the days before your sclerotherapy appointment. Some of the things you may be asked to do include:
- Stop taking specific medication, such as anti-inflammatory medication or aspirin, before the appointment – Please note, do not stop taking any medication on your own. Always consult with your doctor before stopping any medication even if it is only for a short period of time.
- Avoid consuming any alcohol or smoking for at least 48 hours before your scheduled appointment – Consuming large amounts of alcohol or smoking can slow down the healing process which is why you will be asked to avoid them in the days prior to your appointment.
- Avoid applying any lotion to the skin on the day of your appointment
- Avoid shaving the treatment area on the day of your appointment
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
What to Expect When Getting Sclerotherapy for Spider Vein Treatment
Sclerotherapy is a relatively quick procedure. It is performed in-office and usually takes about a half hour.
Typically, no anesthetic is administered for sclerotherapy. However, a numbing gel can be applied to the treatment area about 15-30 minutes before the procedure. The numbing gel can help reduce any pain or discomfort you may experience when the needle is injected into the treatment site.
For the procedure, your vein specialist will use a small, thin needle to inject a solution into the vein. The solution will irritate the lining of the vein. Over time, the irritation will cause the vein to collapse. Once the vein collapses, small blood clots form and eventually scar tissue will form. When this happens, the spider veins are no longer visible.
What to Expect During Recovery from Spider Vein Treatment
It is important that you follow all post-procedure instructions after your appointment. Failure to follow instructions could cause spider veins to reappear at the treatment site.
Some of the things your vein specialist may ask you to do in the days and weeks after your procedure include:
- Wear compression stockings – you may be asked to wear compression stockings for anywhere from two to six weeks
- Avoid any strenuous activities such as heavy lifting, squatting or running – you will be able to resume your normal activities, but it is best to avoid any of these strenuous activities for a brief period of time
- Avoid standing or sitting for prolonged periods of times – aim to move around every hour to avoid standing or sitting for too long
- Plan on taking plenty of walks – walking will help speed up the healing process while keeping you active
When can You Expect to See Results from Your Spider Vein Treatment
Spider veins won’t disappear instantly after treatment. You will start to see a noticeable difference in the appearance of your spider veins a month after your appointment. After two months, the treatment is usually complete and your spider veins should appear lighter.
Sometimes you may need to undergo multiple treatments to get rid of spider veins. Your vein specialist will schedule an appointment approximately three months after sclerotherapy to determine if additional treatment is needed.
CONTACT US AT VEIN & VASCULAR
If you’re ready to schedule a consult at the Vein & Vascular Institute, just call 856-309-8346. During your call, we’ll help you find a great time to come by and get care for deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins, or any other venous disorders affecting your life. We look forward to helping you remain in great health through the years, so please feel free to call today.