WHAT
IS SCLEROTHERAPY?
Sclerotherapy is the preferred treatment for minimizing
small superficial leg veins. It involves the insertion of a tiny needle into the
blood vessel where a small amount of a sclerosing agent is gently injected. This
causes "sclerosis" which is the formation of fibrous tissue within the
blood vessel, leading to the gradual disappearance of that vessel. Fading of the
vessel may take from a few weeks to several months.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS ARE NEEDED?
Many people
do well with a single treatment; however, it is not unusual to require two to
three treatment sessions for a lasting effect. For certain people with large quantities
of treatable veins more than one session may be needed.
HOW LONG DOES IT
LAST?
Sclerotherapy is capable of targeting only the small veins that are
present at the time of treatment, but does not prevent the development of new
veins in a person with that tendency. While there may be a long term disappearance
of treated veins, new veins could develop in the susceptible person.
IS
IT SAFE? CAN ANYONE GET SCLEROTHERAPY?
Most people tolerate the treatment
very well without significant adverse effects. Rarely, in less than 0.01% of treated
patients, an allergic reaction to the sclerosant can be seen. There are also certain
people who should not undergo sclerotherapy: pregnant women, people over 60, obese
people, people with multiple large and/or painful varicose veins, people with
a history of a deep venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolus/clotting disorder, people
with heart or liver disease, HIV, recent cancer or chemotherapy.
WOULD
LASER TREATMENT BE BETTER?
Sclerotherapy is still the standard of care
for treatment of small caliber green/purple/blue phlebectasias. Certain lasers
may be more effective for treatment of the smallest caliber red phlebectasias.
The Medical and Cosmetic Dermatology Center
proudly serves the Salt Lake City, Utah metropolitan area including
the communities of Alta, Bacchas, Becks, Bennion, Bingham, Bluffdale,
Brighton, Cooperfield, Copperton, Cottonwood, Crescent, Draper,
Dunyon Dell, East Millcreek, Emmaville, Garfield, Granger, Granite,
Herriman, Holladay, Hunter, Kearns, Lark, Magna, Midvale, Mount
Aire, Mountain Dell, Murray, Nash, Ogden, Pinecrest, Provo, Riverton,
Salt Lake, Sandy, Silver Fork, Snowbird, Solitude, South Jordan,
South SLC, Taylorsville, Union, Welby, West Jordan, West Valley,
and White City as well as the surrounding areas of Salt Lake County,
Davis County, Morgan County, Summit County, Utah County, and Wasatch
County. |
