Sclerotherapy General Information

Sclerotherapy is a well-known medical procedure that is used for the treatment of spider and varicose veins. This has been spoken about in great detail on this blog. The results that people receive from having sclerotherapy done on their legs is amazing. This treatment is able to effectively diminish the look or even completely get rid of varicose and spider veins.

Even though sclerotherapy is generally performed on the legs, there has been a shift in focus in use in this treatment on very is parts of the body such as the arms, chest and even in the face. Facial sclerotherapy has slowly increased in popularity as people want to get rid of the veins that are located on their face. These unsightly veins can appear as a result of sun damage, smoking or even aging. Due to the success of sclerotherapy on the legs, doing on the face should have the same results. It can be used to treat veins that are broken and can be found around the cheeks, nose and eyes.

Generally facial sclerotherapy treatment uses a much milder sclerosing agent than what is used to treat the legs. According to some doctors, they state that the procedure is quite safe, if it is done on areas or the face that are far away from the eyes. Its safety is also attendant on the doctor who is performing the treatment.

Facial Sclerotherapy Risks

There is greater risk associated with facial sclerotherapy compared to it being done on the legs. Generally, there is this fear that the chemical agent may travel through the veins on the face back into the vital structures of the head. This can be extremely dangerous especially around the eye region, as blindness could occur.

With facial sclerotherapy there is a higher chance of bruising, compared to the legs. This is due to the fact that the skin on the face is much thinner and bruising and discoloration is greater.

Because the risks are much higher, the injections that are used should be done slower than those of the leg. This would mean less pressure as well as a milder sclerosing agent.

Conclusion

Facial sclerotherapy can be very effective at reducing veins that can be found on the face. It is very similar to the treatment of the less. There is a possibility of having very minor side effects and the results are very good. Many patients are extremely satisfied with the facial sclerotherapy treatment as your face looks totally different. Because veins on the face are so visible, the reduction or removal of these veins will make a significant difference.

Compared to sclerotherapy done on the legs, there is a greater risk involved. Many doctors do not recommend facial sclerotherapy as there are some serious risks involved.

Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy for the Removal of Varicose Veins
Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy is the perfect option for people who want to get rid of their varicose veins quickly and painlessly. This treatment is very good at removing clusters of spider veins, specifically if they are interlinked with larger varicose veins. Varicose veins are larger veins that are dead and they usually are extremely painful.  There is a good possibility that ultrasound guided sclerotherapy will be able eliminate these veins and it is a much cheaper alternative to surgery.

The Procedure of Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy

Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy is not used to treat very thin and tiny veins like spider veins. The reason for this is that the vein needs to be big enough to receive a solution that will be injected through the needle.

With ultrasound sclerotherapy, usually the treatment lasts between twenty minutes to an hour. This all depends on how big the vein(s) is. During the treatment, a sclerosing solution is injected into the affected veins using a very small needle. Once the vein gets the agent, then they will then get smaller and eventually collapse. The procedure is very simple and it is not painful. Many people have it done without any painkillers or anesthesia.
After the treatment, you will have to put on a compression hose for a short period of time, usually a few days. The reason for this is that it will prove a change from clumping or distending themselves. The doctor will also recommend that certain activities such as whirlpools, saunas, exercise and others not be done as they can affect the vascular and circulatory systems.

Difference between Ultrasound Sclerotherapy and Conventional Sclerotherapy

Ultrasound sclerotherapy is somewhat similar to regular sclerotherapy. The difference between the two is that the doctor will be able see the veins through the use of ultrasound and a monitor. The doctor will now have the ability to find veins that would not normally be seen and destroy them. This method is much safer for treating larger veins as the doctor will be able to do it through greater precision and accuracy.

Possible Ultrasound Sclerotherapy Problems

It is very rare to have complications associated with ultrasound sclerotherapy. Problems can arise as some people occasionally experience “matting”. Matting is where the veins clump together and create a more in-depth system of veins under the skin. Bruises and discolorations of the skin can occur at the site of the injection. There is a possibility that skin necrosis could occur if there is not enough blood flowing in the area.

Ultrasound Sclerotherapy Cost

The cost to have ultrasound sclerotherapy done can vary from $100 to $400 per session. Most people generally have two to six ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy treatments done every two months. The reason for this is that, multiple treatments may be needed to get the desired results. It should be noted that it will be more expensive to go to a plastic surgeon than a cosmetician.

Most people who have the sclerotherapy cosmetic procedure done want to know if it is painful?

Generally people who have sclerotherapy done will have minimal pain. Patients will experience a little sting associated with each injection. Some might feel a burning sensation once the injection has been applied, but this may last a couple seconds. The patient may also experience stinging or pain at the sites of injection.

The patient may experience temporary itching or cramping at the site of the injection. There is also the possibility that the ankles or feet may swell, or cramping of the muscles.

The type of sclerosing solution used in the procedure may play a role in the amount of pain patient will feel. This will often happen when a hypertonic saline agent is used. The patient may experience reactions that look like hives, but these will vanish ten-twenty minutes after having the injection done.

Small ulcers that are very painful may occur at the injection site. These usually happens when some of the sclerosing solution gets loose into the surrounding the skin. This will be temporary, but if it becomes more painful, then it is good to check with the doctor.

The patient may experience irritation of the blood vessels that were treated. This is rare, but these maybe treated with antibiotics, aspirin, compression or heat.

Most of the time, patients will be able to tolerate the procedure and will not require any type of anesthesia. Most people will state that having sclerotherapy done was a lot less painful than what the imagined.

When it comes to the development of spider or varicose veins, there are many factors that contributed to it. These would include it being hereditary, pregnancy or other.

People often want to know if they can have her therapy during pregnancy. Having the procedure done is not dangerous but to results will not be worth it. It is recommended to wait until a few months after the baby is born, as the veins will have reduced significantly during this time.

Generally if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, then the doctor will advise you to postpone sclerotherapy treatment. Often, spider veins that appear during pregnancy will appear on their own, three months after the baby is born. Doctors will also recommend this as they are not sure how the sclerosing agent may affect the breast milk. Mothers who are nursing are often advised to wait until they have stopped breast-feeding to have the procedure done.