Is Sclerotherapy Safe for Everyone in 2022?

Sclerotherapy is among the safest vein treatments on the market. The injection technique was introduced in the United States in 1939 and has improved dramatically over the past three decades. The sclerosants, devices, and techniques have been perfected such that sclerotherapy is remarkably safe in 2022. Sclerotherapy doesn’t require anesthesia or thermal energy and leaves no materials in the body. It’s non-surgical, so bleeding and infection risks are incredibly low.

In addition, when you book a board certified vein doctor, they can use ultrasound technology to position sclerotherapy treatments with exacting precision. However, sclerotherapy isn’t safe for everyone. A small number of patients are allergic to sclerosants. And some patients have medical conditions that preclude them from using sclerotherapy. Visit a reputable vein doctor to determine whether sclerotherapy is right for you.

Sclerotherapy is widely regarded as one of the safest spider vein treatments. Many of the risks with outdated vein treatments like bleeding, anesthesia complications, and infections, are eliminated with sclerotherapy. The incision site is the size of a small needle, unlike the large incisions used in vein stripping surgery.

However, the procedure is not 100% risk-free since vein specialists have different training. One risk is seeking treatment from someone other than a vein doctor. These vein “specialists” might lack the ultrasound technology to identify existing blood clots, connecting veins, or allergies before the procedure.

Another risk is choosing a vein specialist who is inexperienced with sclerosants. Sclerotherapy can be administered in liquid, foam, or premixed foam concentrations. An inexperienced vein specialist might mix the sclerosant incorrectly, which can create air bubbles or make the sclerosant less effective. They might also administer an accidental arterial injection, rather than a vein injection, if they don’t use ultrasound guidance. Choose a trained vein doctor to avoid these possibilities.

Varicose veins are larger and more twisted than spider veins. Sclerotherapy for large varicose veins is usually safe, but it’s not always the best method. Sclerosants can be agitated to create a foam that fills larger veins without increasing the dosage. In many cases, this is the perfect solution. However, some large varicose veins are better suited to a different closure method like thermal energy or rotating catheters.

Doctors can close veins off with radiofrequency or endovenous lasers, if sclerosants aren’t suited to the job. Or, they can use mechanochemical ablation, which employs a rotating catheter that disrupts the vein walls before releasing a sclerosant into the vein. Treating vein disease is often part of eliminating larger varicosities.

Spider veins and varicose veins that develop in the legs are often the result of Chronic Venous Insufficiency. When valves fail in deeper leg veins, blood flows in reverse, creating pressure that generates spider and varicose veins. Vein doctors must often use ultrasound guidance to treat the source of the spider or varicose vein, not just the surface damage.

When forehead veins bulge, the cause might be different. When blood pressure increases, (after a workout, hot shower, caffeine, etc.) veins bulge temporarily. Since the skin on your face is thinner than other areas, forehead veins are easy to see. But bulging forehead veins are rarely varicose. Spider veins, however, are quite common on the face. These often result from sun damage or skin injury, not venous insufficiency. For forehead veins, a shallow sclerotherapy injection or surface laser is often the best approach.

Is sclerotherapy safe for all skin tones? Yes, however, hyperpigmentation is more common after treatment on darker skin, since an over-concentration of melanin produces hyperpigmentation. But new sclerosants are less prone to this outcome. The risk of hyperpigmentation is greatly reduced by choosing experienced vein doctors who use the latest sclerosants.

Sclerotherapy is commonly advised for collapsing veins. But it’s not always the best method. Some patients’ veins are better suited to radiofrequency ablation, endovenous laser ablation, vein adhesives, or mechanochemical ablation. And in rare cases, vein stripping surgery is required. Visit our Long Island vein doctors to determine your ideal treatment.

Aspirin does not treat varicose veins. Varicosities are typically caused by venous insufficiency when backward blood flow engorges a vein. Aspirin might thin the blood, so it’s occasionally advised for patients with blood clots or deep vein thrombosis. But thinning the blood doesn’t correct Chronic Venous Insufficiency.

In fact, it might create more build-up in veins with faulty valves. In addition, varicose veins are prone to profuse bleeding when nicked, since a valve that directs blood flow isn’t closing. So, taking aspirin with varicose veins could be dangerous. Ask your vein doctor before trying medications for varicose veins. Never take aspirin before a vein treatment without your doctor’s permission.

Sclerotherapy inserts a tiny needle through the skin. Vein doctors cleanse the skin above the treated areas and apply a topical numbing cream. Most patients either feel nothing, or a slight pinching sensation for a few seconds when treated veins collapse. Our patients praise our painless procedures and the resulting freedom from the pain caused by spider and varicose veins.

Many patients have no sclerotherapy aftercare instructions, but some will wear compression stockings for a while. Every patient who’s able is encouraged to walk immediately after the procedure and resume their usual activities. There is no downtime with sclerotherapy. You can work, shower, and even exercise moderately the same day.

Looking for “safe sclerotherapy near me?” Look no further than our Harvard-trained, certified diplomates. Our vein doctors are renowned for safe, minimally invasive treatment. We offer several alternatives to vein surgery and always use the gentlest method possible. Choose Dr. Thomas Arnold or Dr. Zalekha Shair for safe varicose and spider vein treatment on Long Island.

The best clinic for sclerotherapy in your area is one of our three Long Island clinics. Our doctors are highly trained and accept all major insurance plans to keep sclerotherapy costs low. In Jericho, visit us at 350 Jericho Turnpike. In West Islip, you’ll find us at 500 Montauk Highway. And in Hampton Bays, we’re located at 22 W Montauk Highway. Book an appointment at our Long Island vein clinics for safe sclerotherapy today!