How Long After Sclerotherapy To See Results? What To Expect

Sclerotherapy is a simple and effective procedure to eliminate unsightly spider veins and varicose veins. Your vein specialist injects a chemical into each dilated vein…

17 May 2023

4 min read

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Sclerotherapy is a simple and effective procedure to eliminate unsightly spider veins and varicose veins. Your vein specialist injects a chemical into each dilated vein under the skin. The chemical destroys the vein lining (endothelium).¹ The treated veins first swell and then disappear. Sclerotherapy also relieves pain and fatigue, and it helps prevent long-term complications.²

Dilated veins under the skin are not dangerous, but you may not like their appearance. Varicose veins also cause troublesome symptoms, such as aching, swelling, burning, and cramping.³ If you have any of these symptoms, you may want to consider getting sclerotherapy.

How Long After Sclerotherapy To See Results?

Sclerotherapy results are not instant. It blocks the dilated veins, and the body then absorbs them. Spider veins and small varicose veins typically vanish in three to six weeks. Larger varicose veins may take three to four months to disappear.⁴

The timing of the results depends on good aftercare and the size of the veins treated. Without proper aftercare during the sclerotherapy healing process, the veins may become patent (open) again, undoing the treatment effect.⁵

Sclerotherapy Timelines

Sclerotherapy isn’t surgery — it doesn’t physically remove the dilated veins. Your doctor uses a fine needle to inject each vein. The injections cause the veins to swell, and the appearance is worse for a few days.

The injected chemical damages the vein enough to close it. These closed veins are then eradicated by the body’s own systems, a slow process.

Spider veins are fine vessels and disappear in three to six months. Varicose veins, usually larger, need three to four months. You may need two or three treatments to remove all the veins.⁶

Sclerotherapy Aftercare

Taking good care of yourself is essential for the success of sclerotherapy. Luckily, there are measures you can take to ensure a smooth healing process:

Walking and moving about prevent clot formation.

Gradient compression stockings maintain pressure on the treated veins and prevent them from opening.⁷

Avoid sun and heat exposure to the treated area for two weeks. The injections cause inflammation and, combined with sun exposure, can lead to dark spots on the skin.⁸

Recovery and Healing

Recovery after the procedure is quick since no anesthesia is used.⁹ You can expect to be walking the same day, but your doctor will advise you to avoid strenuous physical work and exercise for about two weeks.

The recovery period is not the same for everyone. It’s vital to have reasonable expectations and some patience. If you follow your doctor’s instructions diligently and avoid putting pressure on the treated veins, success rates are 90%. Varicose veins can recur, but this is rare.

Sclerotherapy Considerations

An expert in vein treatment can treat all abnormal veins with sclerotherapy, from tiny spider veins to large varicose veins. It’s best to consult with a specialist who will help you choose the best option from the various treatment models available.

My Vein Treatment Is a Valuable Resource

My Vein Treatment provides current, dependable information about the treatment of spider and varicose veins. We equip you to choose and understand the treatment you need for your particular problem. My Vein Treatment also has a provider locator to aid you in finding a specialist close to you.

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