What to Expect After Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is the gold-standard solution for many problematic leg veins, including small to mid-sized varicose veins and sprawling networks of spider veins. At Vascular Vein Centers, our skilled team of vascular experts can use sclerotherapy in two ways:

• Visually, to treat fully perceptible varicose or spider veins just beneath the skin
• With ultrasound guidance, to treat varicose leg veins that twist inward in areas

This minimally invasive vein removal technique is just as simple as it is effective: By injecting a sclerosing agent into the unwanted vein, sclerotherapy irritates the targeted vessel’s inner lining, causing it to swell, collapse, and seal shut. Blood flow will reroute itself to healthy nearby veins, and the treated vein will gradually fade away. 

Read on as our board-certified vein removal specialists explain what you can expect following your nonsurgical sclerotherapy procedure. 

After your in-office sclerotherapy treatment 

Easy, safe, and virtually painless, sclerotherapy is a quick in-office vein removal treatment that usually takes less than an hour to complete. After we carefully inject the vein-collapsing solution into predetermined points along the unwanted vein, you can expect to see significant — if not complete — vein-clearing results within a few weeks. 

Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect along the way:

Immediately after sclerotherapy

It doesn’t take long to recover from sclerotherapy — in fact, the treatment comes with zero downtime, meaning you can resume most normal activities right away. This includes walking, which supports improved circulation, helps prevent blood clots, and promotes faster vascular recovery as your blood works to reroute itself into healthy nearby veins. 

Right after your treatment, we bandage the injection sites and ask you to remain lying down for 15 minutes to ensure you don’t have an adverse reaction to the sclerosing agent.

Next, we help you don a fitted compression garment (stocking or wrap) on your treated leg. This medical-grade device gently squeezes the treated vessels, providing an invaluable “vascular assist” that aids lower extremity circulation, helps minimize blood pooling and fluid buildup, and fosters better vein function. You won’t have to rely on anyone else and will be able to drive yourself home.

The first month post-treatment

You can expect to wear your compression device daily for about two weeks, only removing it at night when you sleep. Our team ensures you understand how to don, remove, and care for your compression garment before you leave our office.

For the first 48 hours after sclerotherapy, it’s important to:

• Stick with a pain reliever that doesn’t reduce inflammation, like acetaminophen
• Avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen, and other anti-inflammatory pain medications
• Shower with mild, lukewarm water (avoid hot water, which makes vessels expand)
• Avoid hot baths (lukewarm baths are fine); stay away from whirlpools and saunas
• Gently wash the injection sites each day with a mild cleanser and lukewarm water
• Refrain from exposing the treated area to direct sunlight (including tanning beds)

You can resume most activities right after the procedure, apart from vigorous exercise, which you should avoid for one week, and long periods of inactivity (i.e., lengthy air or car travel), which you should avoid for at least one month. 

As mentioned, daily walks are essential for supporting improved circulation; they also help foster enhanced vein clearance, too.

Possible sclerotherapy side effects

The most common sclerotherapy side effects — including general leg discomfort, and bruising or redness at the injection site — tend to be mild and temporary, often resolving within a few hours or days. Other possible side effects include:

• A mild allergic reaction at the time of treatment (i.e., itching and swelling)
• The temporary appearance of tiny blood vessels in the treatment area
• Brown lines or spots on your skin at the injection sites that fade over time
• Larger treated varicose veins may become lumpy or hard for a few months

Rare, serious side effects that can occur after sclerotherapy include sudden leg swelling, the formation of small sores (ulcers) at the injection sites, and the appearance of red streaks on your skin (especially in the groin area). Give us a call if you notice any of these problems, or if you have any other concerns after your procedure.

Remarkable vein-clearing results

Following sclerotherapy, your treated vein forms into harmless scar tissue that progressively fades from view as it’s reabsorbed by your body. Most treated veins fade significantly — or disappear completely — within a few weeks or months. 

Small spider veins and varicose veins usually respond fully to treatment within three to six weeks, while mid-sized varicose veins may take up to three or four months to clear. In some cases, you may need a follow-up sclerotherapy session to achieve total vein clearance.

Minimally invasive and maximally effective

Sclerotherapy is so effective for getting rid of unwanted varicose veins and spider veins that most people get optimal results with just one quick in-office procedure.

If you’re ready to say goodbye to unwanted varicose leg veins or spider veins, we can help. Call or click online to schedule a visit at your nearest Vascular Vein Centers office in College Park of Orlando, Waterford Lakes of East Orlando, Kissimmee, Davenport/Haines City, Lake Mary, or The Villages, Florida.