Sclerotherapy in Sarasota

smiling woman in white robe holding her hand to her face

What Is Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure in which a special chemical solution is injected into varicose or spider veins in the legs. The treatment is meant to eliminate the enlarged veins, making the skin look smoother and more youthful while alleviating discomfort.

Our legs contain many veins, and when the valves in those veins become weak or damaged, they can transform into unsightly varicose or spider veins. When men and women accumulate many of these enlarged veins, it can make them feel self-conscious and unattractive. Plus, varicose and spider veins can often cause discomfort. If you’d like to get rid of these pronounced veins and restore a smooth, youthful appearance to your legs, sclerotherapy could be ideal.

How Does Sclerotherapy Work?

When the chemical solution is injected into the varicose or spider vein during sclerotherapy treatment, it irritates the vein's lining and causes it to swell. As the walls of the vein expand, they become stuck together, which seals off the vein and stops the blood flow. After this process is finished, the scarred vein begins to fade. It stops causing discomfort, and after a while, it disappears entirely.

What are the benefits of Sclerotherapy?

Eliminates a high percentage of varicose and spider veins
It makes the legs look smoother and more youthful
Improves self-confidence
Provides long-lasting results
Alleviates discomfort

How Long Is the Recovery Time?

When your sclerotherapy session is finished, you may be kept lying down for 15 minutes for monitoring. After that, you can leave the office and go about your normal activities. It’s important to walk around after the procedure to prevent blood clots from forming in your legs.

You will also want to avoid the following after your treatment:

Sun exposure to the treatment areas (for two weeks)
Hot baths (for 48 hours)
Anti-inflammatory medications (for 48 hours)

Am I a Candidate for Sclerotherapy?

Men and women looking for an effective way to remove varicose and/or spider veins in their legs may be candidates for sclerotherapy. To be an ideal candidate for the procedure, you should:

Be generally healthy
Have realistic expectations
Not be pregnant or breastfeeding
Not have an active deep vein thrombosis or superficial vein thrombosis
Have varicose and/or spider veins in your legs that you want to remove

Schedule A Consultation

What Should I Expect During the Procedure?

When you decide to undergo sclerotherapy treatment through Holcomb - Kreithen Plastic Surgery & MedSpa, your first step will be a consultation with Dr. Holcomb or Dr. Kreithen. During this consultation, the doctor will understand your goals for the procedure. He’ll also ask you about your medical history, medications, and allergies.

The treatment itself can be done right at our MedSpa location in Sarasota. During the procedure, you will lie either on your back or stomach, depending on the locations of the targeted veins. The doctor will cleanse the skin in the area of the first vein. Then, using a fine needle, he will inject the chemical solution directly into the varicose or spider vein. You may feel some minor pain during this part of the treatment.

The injection process will be repeated for each vein you remove during the procedure. Depending on the extent of the treatment, a sclerotherapy session can take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Most potential side effects from sclerotherapy are minor and will disappear within days or weeks. These side effects may appear around the injection site(s):

Bruising
Redness
Small sores
Darkened skin
Multiple tiny red blood vessels
Inflammation

Although they are rare, several more serious side effects may also occur:

Blood clots
Air bubbles in the blood
Allergic reactions

How Long Will It Take To See Results After Sclerotherapy?

After a sclerotherapy treatment, the targeted varicose and/or spider veins will gradually disappear. Smaller veins will typically take three to six weeks to fade, while larger ones may take up to three or four months. Veins that respond to the treatment usually do not come back, but new veins may still appear in other areas.

Why Choose HK Plastic Surgery & MedSpa?

At Holcomb - Kreithen Plastic Surgery & MedSpa, we take great pride in providing our patients with consistently excellent results. For sclerotherapy treatment in Sarasota, you can count on receiving expert, personalized care at our MedSpa location. Our skilled team at the facility will go the extra mile to ensure your comfort and satisfaction throughout the entire process. To schedule a consultation, please contact us today.