Sclerotherapy Specialist

What is sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure to treat certain complications with your veins and their symptoms. During the treatment, your provider carefully injects the affected vein with a chemical solution called a sclerosant. The sclerosant disrupts your vein and causes it to swell, constrict, and close off. 

Once sclerotherapy closes the vein, blood can no longer flow through it. Eventually, your body absorbs the vein because it is no longer using it. Most people need multiple sclerotherapy sessions to see a complete closure of the vein. 

About a month after each session, you’ll follow up with the team at Daphne Panagotacos, M.D., Inc. to determine if you need any more treatments and how many it will take.  

What does sclerotherapy treat?

Sclerotherapy treats several common vascular conditions and alleviates their symptoms. The team at Daphne Panagotacos, M.D., Inc. recommends sclerotherapy to treat spider veins and varicose veins:

Spider veins

Spider veins are tiny red blood vessels that you can see on your skin’s surface. They typically don’t cause discomfort or other symptoms, but you might not like the way they look. One of the most common areas for spider veins is on your face, so they can impact your appearance and self-confidence. 

Varicose veins

Varicose veins are engorged, twisted veins that are visible on the surface of your skin, most commonly on your legs. They develop when blood pools in your veins because of broken or weak valves. Varicose veins are often more than just a cosmetic issue, causing symptoms like leg pain, itching, and burning. Left untreated and unmanaged, they can cause leg ulcers, blood clots, and other severe complications. 

How should I prepare for sclerotherapy?

Preparing for sclerotherapy requires a physical examination. Your provider evaluates your veins and asks about your medical history to determine why you might have them. To help you prepare for sclerotherapy, they might advise you to:

• Stop taking blood-thinning medications
• Get an ultrasound to view your blood flow
• Avoid shaving your legs before the procedure
• Avoid using lotions and other products on your legs before the procedure
• Wear loose pants or shorts for your appointment
• Ask questions about what to expect after the procedure
  
  

After the procedure, your provider advises you to get up and start walking around right away. Moving around can help prevent blood clots, but you should avoid strenuous exercise for several weeks after sclerotherapy. You’ll also need to wear compression stockings or bandages to put pressure on your treated veins. 

To learn more about sclerotherapy and find out if you’re a candidate, call Daphne Panagotacos, M.D., Inc., Skin Care Centre at 805-379-3376 to schedule an appointment.