Overview
What is vein treatment (sclerotherapy)?
If you suffer from leg swelling and discomfort from vein disease, varicose veins or spider veins, you’re not alone. An estimated 30 to 60 percent of adults suffer from these sometimes embarrassing and often painful conditions that can make walking or standing difficult. Thankfully, Cleveland Clinic Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Center offers the latest innovations in vein treatment for optimal results in your skin’s care.
Am I a candidate for vein treatment (sclerotherapy)?
Good candidates for vein treatment are individuals with spider or varicose veins who have a positive outlook and specific, but realistic goals in mind for the improvement of their appearance.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or are confined to bed, you are not eligible for the vein treatment procedure called sclerotherapy. For pregnant women, your plastic surgeon will advise you to wait at least three months after delivery before you can be considered for this procedure.
If you have had a blood clot in the past, your eligibility for vein treatment will be determined on an individual basis and will depend on the extremity and the cause of the clot.
The best way to determine if you are a candidate for vein treatment is through a consultation with a specialist at Cleveland Clinic Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Center.
How do I prepare for vein treatment (sclerotherapy)?
Preparation for vein treatment at Cleveland Clinic Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Center includes:
- A medical evaluation.
- Taking certain medications or adjusting your current medications.
- Stopping smoking.
- Avoiding aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding.
- Taking photographs of treated areas before and after your procedure to evaluate improvement.
Why choose us
Cleveland Clinic Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Center can help you explore options to rejuvenate or refine your appearance - and your self confidence. To get the best results from any cosmetic procedure, you need the highest quality team. You can rely on our experts, who are nationally ranked for their expertise and care.
Learn more about Cleveland Clinic Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Center.
How to Prepare
How is vein treatment (sclerotherapy) performed?
The goal of any vein treatment procedure is to reduce the symptoms that varicose and spider veins can cause and improve your overall appearance. Vein treatment at Cleveland Clinic Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Center is generally performed as an outpatient procedure, but you should plan to have a relative or friend drive you home afterward.
There are a wide range of treatments for varicose and spider veins, from minimally invasive laser therapy to surgical removal of larger varicosities. Your plastic surgeon will be able to advise which of these procedures is best for you.
What to Expect
What are the different types of vein treatments?
The types of vein treatment options offered by specialists at Cleveland Clinic Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Center include:
Compression stockings
These are the most conservative treatment for vein disease, varicose veins and spider veins. Medical-grade support hose that fits properly is especially helpful when veins cause painful or uncomfortable symptoms. These stockings generally can be purchased at any medical supply store and at some pharmacies.
Sclerotherapy
This medical procedure has been in use since the 1930s and uses an injection of solution directly into the vein. The solution irritates the lining of the vessel, causing it to swell and clot. Over time, the vessel turns into scar tissue that fades from view. The procedure is simple, relatively inexpensive and can be performed in your surgeon’s office.
Photodynamic Therapy
Intense, pulsed light is used to treat small spider veins, certain sizes of varicose veins and vascular birthmarks. This treatment might be recommended when sclerotherapy or laser therapy does not effectively treat the dilated vein. One to six treatments might be required to properly treat the area.
Laser therapy
Most effective for small facial and leg blood vessels, laser therapy heats the blood vessel and destroys it.
Surgical ligation/stripping
Severe varicose veins might require a surgical procedure in which the dilated vein is either removed or tied off through a small incision in the skin. The surgery is done in the hospital by a vascular surgeon.
Is vein treatment (sclerotherapy) safe?
All procedures carry some risk.
Possible side effects from vein treatment procedures include:
- Unfavorable scarring.
- Bleeding (hematoma).
- Infection.
- Poor healing of injection sites.
- Change in skin sensation.
- Skin sensitivity.
- Ulceration.
- Allergies to tape, suture materials and glues, blood products, topical preparations or injected agents.
- Skin contour irregularities.
- Skin discoloration and swelling.
- Pain, which may persist.
- Possibility of revisional surgery.
- Need for further injection therapy.
- Damage to deeper structures — such as nerves, blood vessels and muscles (may be temporary or permanent).
Results
What results can I expect?
The results of vein treatment vary depending on the technology or treatment prescribed for you at Cleveland Clinic Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Center. Vein treatment technologies and treatments available are advancing rapidly and you may be surprised at the improvement that can be achieved by relatively simple procedures.
Most patients experience immediate and long-lasting relief from the pain associated with varicose veins, as well as improved appearance of their legs. Follow-up with a specialist at Cleveland Clinic Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Center is the best way to ensure long-lasting results from vein treatment procedures.
What is involved in recovery?
Your recovery from vein treatment will vary depending on the type of procedure you have. Following sclerotherapy, you will be asked to wear compression hose. Most people are able to return home the same day after receiving vein treatment procedures and are encouraged to walk or perform other light activities right away.
In general, you will be able to return to work and to regular activities within a few days after treatment and should be at least somewhat physically active to avoid complications and encourage circulation. Compression stockings will need to be worn for between two and six weeks after most procedures, and strenuous activities should be avoided for several weeks.
Insurance & Financing
Insurance rarely covers the cost of elective cosmetic surgery and procedures.
Please call 216.444.4004 and ask to speak with one of our financial representatives who can explain payment options including CareCredit financing.
