How Long Does It Take to Heal From Sclerotherapy? Tips & Timelines

Sclerotherapy is the most common treatment for spider veins.1 Spider veins are tiny clusters of bluish-purple veins on your legs. They occur when your veins…

03 Jan 2023

6 min read

Spider Vein Treatments

Sclerotherapy is the most common treatment for spider veins.¹ Spider veins are tiny clusters of bluish-purple veins on your legs. They occur when your veins get damaged due to too much pressure. They can occur on your legs, feet, ankles, and face. Spider veins can be unsightly and may cause symptoms like pain, soreness, or heaviness in the legs.

So, what is sclerotherapy, and how long does it take to heal after the procedure?

What Is Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is an effective spider vein removal procedure. It involves identifying the spider vein visually or using ultrasound and injecting a sclerosant into it. A sclerosant is a safe chemical solution that dehydrates and scars the cells lining the vein walls.

When the chemical is injected into the vein, it irritates and damages the vein walls. This makes the vein walls collapse and seals the vein shut. The damaged vein gets closed, and the blood gets rerouted into healthier veins. The treated vein gets reabsorbed by the body and fades away over time.²

What Are the Benefits of Sclerotherapy Treatment?

Sclerotherapy benefits include:³

Minimally invasive and doesn’t require painful surgery
Simple and quick procedure
Safe and effective to remove 50% to 80% of spider veins
Minimal risk of side effects
Almost pain-free and no anesthesia required
Quick results and recovery time
No downtime

Before Sclerotherapy

Your vein doctor will check your veins to see if sclerotherapy is the ideal treatment for you. They will also check your medical and family history and look for underlying vein problems.

If your doctor suggests sclerotherapy as treatment, you’ll have to stop taking medicines like blood thinners or anti-inflammatory drugs before the procedure. Some medicines can interfere with your spider vein treatment and recovery.⁴

On the day before the treatment, avoid shaving your legs or applying lotion. Wear loose and comfortable clothes. Your vein specialist may ask you to carry gradient compression stockings to wear after the procedure.⁵

During Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy can be done at the vein specialist’s office. It takes about an hour and doesn’t require anesthesia. If you have multiple spider veins, the number of injections and treatment time will increase.

You’ll have to lie down with your legs slightly raised for the procedure. The vein doctor will clean the treatment site. They’ll then use ultrasound to find the affected vein. With a fine needle, they’ll slowly inject the chemical sclerosant into the vein.

After withdrawing the needle, the vein doctor will massage the treated area to spread the chemical solution in the vein. They’ll then apply compression to prevent blood from entering the treated vein.

The sclerosant irritates the walls of the vein, causing it to collapse and stop blood flow. Healthy circulation gets restored by directing blood flow into surrounding veins. The damaged vein slowly becomes scar tissue and disappears over time.⁶

After Sclerotherapy

Although the procedure is almost painless, you may feel some pain, stinging, or cramps when the needle enters the vein. If you experience a lot of pain, tell your doctor immediately. You may notice a raised area, bruising, or brown spots or lines in the treated area. This is part of the normal healing process and will go away eventually.⁷

A month after treatment, you may have to visit your vein specialist for follow-up. They’ll check the treated area. They may also perform an ultrasound test to see if your veins have healed properly. Based on your recovery, they’ll decide if you require further treatment.⁸

How Long Does it Take to Heal from Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy recovery time is quick. You can get up and walk immediately after treatment. You can also resume your daily activities and work. But you should avoid strenuous activity for at least two weeks after sclerotherapy.⁹

The treated spider veins will gradually fade away within three to six weeks after treatment. Larger veins may take three or four months to disappear.¹⁰

Research suggests that sclerotherapy has an 80% to 90% success rate.¹¹ The treatment is permanent — a treated spider vein won’t return. However, if you’re not careful, new spider veins may develop in the treated area.

Your vein doctor will encourage walking and moving your legs to improve blood flow and prevent swelling. You may have to wear gradient compression stockings or bandages on the legs for up to two weeks post-treatment. The vein doctor will tell you how long you need to wear them.¹²

Also, protect the injection site from heat and sun exposure after treatment. They can reverse the healing process and increase the sclerotherapy recovery time. It can also lead to pigmentation or dark spots in the treated area.¹³

Tips for Sclerotherapy Aftercare and Recovery

Your vein specialist may recommend aftercare instructions and lifestyle changes to prevent new spider veins.

Here are some tips to improve recovery after sclerotherapy treatment:¹⁴

Wear gradient compression stockings to maintain proper blood circulation and prevent swelling in the legs
Raise your legs above the heart level to prevent the pooling of blood in the leg veins
Use an elevation pillow to raise your legs when you sit
Avoid sitting or standing in one place for too long
Avoid heat and sun exposure, as they expand your veins and affect your recovery
Exercise regularly, but avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting
Walk at least for 15 to 20 minutes three times daily

Find a Qualified Vein Doctor Near You

Sclerotherapy is a safe and effective spider vein removal treatment. It is used to remove spider veins for cosmetic reasons.

But before you get sclerotherapy for your spider veins, you’ll need to find and visit a vein specialist. Only a vein specialist can check your spider veins and determine whether sclerotherapy is the best treatment for you.

If you’re looking for a vein specialist in your locality, use My Vein Treatment’s vein specialist locator tool. You can choose from a repository of qualified vein specialists in your area and contact them instantly. Consult the vein doctor of your choice and get rid of your spider veins for good.

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