Sclerotherapy

What To Expect

For most people, sclerotherapy doesn't require any recovery period. After the treatment, you will likely be able to walk right away. Avoid strenuous exercise until your doctor says it's okay. This may be for 2 weeks. Walk every day for at least 10 minutes. Try not to sit or stand for long periods of time.

For the first 2 weeks after the procedure, avoid exposing your legs to the sun.

You'll probably have to wear compression bandages or stockings after the procedure. Your doctor will tell you how long to wear them. This may be at least 1 week.

Why It Is Done

Sclerotherapy is used to treat:

• Spider veins and small veins that aren't causing more serious problems.
• Varicose veins that may or may not be causing symptoms.

It may be done on its own or as a follow-up to another procedure or surgery.

Learn more

How Well It Works

Sclerotherapy may reduce symptoms and improve the look of the skin. It seems to work in more than 70 out of 100 people. It might not work for up to 30 out of 100 people who have the procedure.^{footnote 1}

Risks

The risks of sclerotherapy include:

• Skin color changes along the treated vein.
• New spider veins.
• Itching, bruising, pain, and blistering where the veins were treated.
• Scarring from ulcers or death of the tissue around the treated vein (skin or fat necrosis). This can happen if sclerosant is injected outside a vein or if sclerosant escapes through the wall of a weakened vein.
• A mild or severe (anaphylactic) reaction to the sclerosant. (Severe reaction is very rare but can be life-threatening.)
• Blood clots or damage in the deep vein system.