Why Sclerotherapy Is the Gold Standard for Leg Vein Treatment
Sclerotherapy for leg veins is a minimally invasive medical procedure that treats spider veins and small varicose veins. It involves injecting a solution directly into the affected vessels, causing them to collapse, scar, and eventually fade from view.
Quick Overview: What You Need to Know
- What it treats: Spider veins, reticular veins, and small varicose veins on legs
- How it works: Sclerosant solution irritates vein walls, causing them to seal shut
- Success rate: 50-80% of injected veins eliminated per session
- Recovery time: Most people return to normal activities the same day
- Results timeline: 3-6 weeks for spider veins, 3-4 months for larger veins
- Sessions needed: Typically 1-4 treatments spaced weeks apart
Venous issues affect nearly one-third of the population, causing not just cosmetic concerns but also physical discomfort like aching and swelling. Refined since the 1930s, sclerotherapy remains the treatment of choice for small leg veins, offering significant benefits with minimal downtime. No general anesthesia is required, and you can drive yourself home afterward.
As Dr. Sarah Yovino, a double board-certified master injector at Ideal Face & Body in Beverly Hills, I’ve helped countless patients achieve clearer, more comfortable legs. My extensive training in pain management allows me to minimize discomfort, ensuring a comfortable treatment experience.
Understanding Sclerotherapy: What It Treats and Why It’s Chosen
Sclerotherapy for leg veins works by changing problematic veins from the inside out. When we inject the sclerosant solution, it irritates the vein’s inner lining. This controlled response causes the vein walls to stick together and seal shut, a process called vein fibrosis. Once sealed, blood naturally reroutes through healthier nearby veins, and your body gradually absorbs the collapsed vein tissue until it fades from view.
This approach provides dual benefits: unsightly veins disappear, and you’ll likely experience relief from uncomfortable symptoms like aching, swelling, burning, and nighttime leg cramps.
What Types of Leg Veins Can Be Treated?
Sclerotherapy is the right tool for specific vein categories, excelling at treating smaller vessels.
Spider veins (telangiectasias) are the tiniest, measuring less than 1mm. These red, blue, or purple web-like lines are often a cosmetic concern but can cause mild discomfort.
Reticular veins are the blue or green networks (1-4mm) that often feed into spider veins. They are more noticeable and can contribute to leg heaviness or aching.
Small varicose veins are twisted, enlarged veins (greater than 4-5mm). Sclerotherapy is effective for the smaller veins in this category, while massive, bulging veins may require different approaches.
Sclerotherapy is the gold standard for these small to medium-sized veins, which are the types most people want treated.
The Benefits of Sclerotherapy for Leg Veins
The benefits of sclerotherapy are impressive. The procedure eliminates 50-80% of injected veins per session, with success rates exceeding 70% for most patients.
- Minimally Invasive: No surgical incisions, stitches, or lengthy recovery. The treatment is performed in our Beverly Hills office with tiny needles.
- No General Anesthesia: This eliminates the risks and recovery time associated with being put under. My background in pain management helps ensure a comfortable experience.
- Time-Efficient: A session typically takes just 15-60 minutes, making it easy to fit into a busy schedule.
- Quick Recovery: Most patients return to regular activities immediately and can drive themselves home.
- Confidence Boost: Seeing your legs clear up can be psychologically profound, allowing you to wear what you want without self-consciousness.
- Symptom Relief: Many patients experience significant improvement or complete resolution of aching, swelling, burning, and nighttime cramps.
The Sclerotherapy Procedure: A Step-by-Step Guide
At Ideal Face & Body, we’ve designed the sclerotherapy for leg veins process to be as comfortable and straightforward as possible, guiding you every step of the way.
How to Prepare for Your Appointment
Proper preparation sets the stage for the best results. Your journey begins with a comprehensive consultation in our Beverly Hills office, where we’ll examine your veins, discuss your concerns, and review your medical history to ensure sclerotherapy is a safe and suitable option for you.
Important Medications to Avoid Before Treatment
To ensure safety and effectiveness, we’ll ask you to avoid certain medications:
- Aspirin and NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) should be stopped for at least 48 hours before and after your procedure, as they can increase bruising. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is usually a safe alternative.
- Blood thinners may need to be paused. We will coordinate with your prescribing physician.
- Certain antibiotics (tetracycline, minocycline) should be avoided for 7-10 days before and after treatment to prevent skin staining.
- Prednisone may need to be stopped 48 hours prior, as it can reduce the sclerosant’s effectiveness. We will discuss this with your doctor.
Simple Day-of-Procedure Guidelines
On your appointment day, do not apply any lotion, oil, or sunscreen to your legs. Wear loose, comfortable clothing like shorts for the procedure and loose pants for afterward to accommodate compression garments.
What to Expect During the Sclerotherapy for Leg Veins Session
The procedure takes place in our comfortable office. You’ll lie down with your legs slightly liftd to help the sclerosant work more effectively. After cleansing the skin, we begin the injections.
The Injection Process
Using a very fine needle, we inject the sclerosant solution (such as sodium tetradecyl sulfate or polidocanol) into the targeted vein. Most patients report only a mild pinch or a brief, well-tolerated burning sensation. For larger veins, we may use a foam version of the sclerosant, which increases its effectiveness. Ultrasound guidance may be used for deeper veins to ensure precise placement.
A typical session involves multiple injections and lasts between 15 to 60 minutes, depending on the number of veins being treated.
Immediately After the Procedure
Post-injection care starts right away. We apply pressure and may massage the area to help the vein walls stick together. We’ll then have you walk for about 10-15 minutes to encourage healthy circulation and prevent blood clots.
One of the key benefits of sclerotherapy for leg veins is the minimal downtime. You can drive yourself home and return to most daily activities immediately, with little to no interruption to your routine.
Recovery and Results: What Happens After Treatment
The healing journey after sclerotherapy for leg veins is gentle, with results appearing gradually over the following weeks. Most of our Beverly Hills patients are surprised by how manageable recovery is. Following our aftercare guidelines is key to achieving the best outcome.
The Recovery Process and Aftercare
Your aftercare routine is an investment in your results. These simple steps make a significant difference in how your veins heal.
- Wear compression stockings: You’ll wear these for 1-2 weeks (continuously for the first 3-7 days, then during the day) to help treated veins stay closed. We typically recommend 20-30mm Hg compression.
- Walk daily: Just 10 minutes of walking each day promotes healthy circulation and reduces clot risk.
- Avoid strenuous activities: For about two weeks, put heavy lifting, high-impact workouts, and contact sports on hold.
- Protect your skin from the sun: Use SPF 30+ sunscreen on treated areas for 2-4 weeks to prevent dark spots (hyperpigmentation).
- Avoid heat: Skip hot baths, saunas, and whirlpools for at least 48 hours, as heat can dilate veins.
It’s normal to experience some bruising and swelling, which typically resolves within a few days to weeks.
Effectiveness and Long-Term Results
Patience pays off as your results develop over time. Smaller spider veins usually fade within 3 to 6 weeks, while larger veins can take 3 to 4 months to show full improvement.
Each session can eliminate 50 to 80 percent of injected veins. Scientific research on sclerotherapy effectiveness confirms that over 70% of people see significant improvement in both symptoms and appearance.
Depending on the extent of your veins, you may need multiple sessions. We typically space treatments about six weeks apart, with most patients achieving their goals in up to four sessions.
Here’s the best part: treated veins are gone forever. Once a vein is successfully closed and absorbed by the body, it does not return. However, new veins can develop over time due to underlying factors like genetics. Some patients opt for periodic maintenance sessions to address any new veins that appear, ensuring their legs remain clear and comfortable for years to come.
Safety, Risks, and Patient Suitability for Leg Vein Treatment
At Ideal Face & Body, your safety is our top priority. While sclerotherapy for leg veins has an excellent safety record, it’s important to understand the potential risks and determine if you’re a good candidate.
Dr. Sarah Yovino and Dr. Justin Yovino have extensive experience with this procedure, and we find that most patients experience only minimal, temporary side effects.
Potential Risks and Side Effects
Most side effects are minor and part of the normal healing process. Common, temporary side effects include:
- Bruising and itching at the injection sites.
- Raised red areas that look like hives and disappear within a few days.
- Hyperpigmentation (brown spots) along the treated vein. This affects about 30% of patients and usually fades within a year. Sun avoidance is crucial to prevent this.
- Telangiectatic matting, or the appearance of new, tiny spider veins near the treatment area. These often fade on their own but can be treated if they persist.
- Mild tenderness or cramping in the treated leg for a few days.
Serious complications are rare. These include allergic reactions to the sclerosant (less than 1% of patients), blood clots in deep veins (DVT), and skin ulceration at the injection site. Following our aftercare instructions, especially walking, is critical to minimize these risks. For a detailed medical overview, you can review the StatPearls overview of Sclerotherapy complications.
Who is a Good Candidate for Sclerotherapy?
An ideal candidate for sclerotherapy for leg veins is in good general health, has realistic expectations, and is bothered by spider veins, reticular veins, or small varicose veins.
However, sclerotherapy is not suitable for everyone. We do not perform the procedure if you:
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Have a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or certain blood clotting disorders.
- Have a known allergy to sclerosants.
- Have a severe systemic infection, severe peripheral arterial disease, or severely limited mobility.
During your consultation in Beverly Hills, we will conduct a thorough review of your health history to ensure this treatment is the safest, most effective option for you.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sclerotherapy
Considering sclerotherapy for leg veins brings up many questions. Here are answers to the most common concerns we hear at Ideal Face & Body.
Does sclerotherapy hurt?
Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how tolerable the procedure is. We use an incredibly fine needle, so the injection feels like a quick, mild pinch. Some people notice a brief stinging or burning sensation as the sclerosant solution enters the vein, but this typically lasts only a few seconds.
My background in pain management helps me ensure your experience is as comfortable as possible. After treatment, you might have some temporary itching or mild tenderness, which is easily managed and resolves quickly. Most patients agree the minimal discomfort is well worth the long-term results.
How many treatments will I need?
The number of sessions is highly individual. It depends on the quantity and size of your veins, your body’s response, and your aesthetic goals. During your consultation, we will provide a personalized treatment plan.
Most patients achieve their desired results with 1 to 4 treatment sessions, typically spaced 4 to 16 weeks apart. This allows your body time to heal and lets us assess the results before planning the next step. Once a vein is treated successfully, it’s gone for good, though new veins can form over time.
Is sclerotherapy covered by insurance?
Insurance coverage depends on whether the treatment is deemed medically necessary or cosmetic.
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When it might be covered: If your veins cause significant symptoms like persistent aching, swelling, or cramping that interfere with daily life, insurance may consider the procedure medically necessary. We can provide the required documentation to your provider.
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When it’s likely not covered: If your primary concern is the appearance of the veins without any physical symptoms, the procedure is typically considered cosmetic and not covered by insurance.
We always recommend contacting your insurance provider directly to understand your specific benefits. Our team can provide you with the necessary codes and information to facilitate that conversation.
Conclusion
Sclerotherapy is the gold standard for treating spider and small varicose veins for a reason. It is a safe and remarkably successful procedure that effectively tackles both the appearance and the uncomfortable symptoms of problematic leg veins, such as aching, swelling, and cramping.
What makes this treatment so appealing is its practicality. The procedure can be done in our office, with no general anesthesia and minimal downtime, allowing you to return to most normal activities the same day. It’s a straightforward path to clearer, more comfortable legs without disrupting your life.
At Ideal Face & Body in Beverly Hills, we are committed to providing the highest level of care. With Dr. Sarah Yovino and Dr. Justin Yovino, you are in skilled hands that have helped countless patients achieve the leg appearance and comfort they desire. Dr. Sarah’s expertise in pain management ensures your treatment will be as comfortable as possible.
If you’re ready to say goodbye to bothersome leg veins, we invite you to start the conversation. Let us help you take the next step toward feeling more confident and comfortable.
