Sclerotherapy can be defines as the injecting of a chemical into veins which causes walls of the vessels to collapse leading the destruction of the varicose vein or telangiectasia ( spider vein ).
What is the chemical that is used for injection?
Solutions used for sclerotherapy are divided into three separate categories: 1) detergent , 2) osmotic, and 3) chemical. There are numerous solutions that fall into these three categories. The physician will determine which solution will be best for your particular case.
What are the advantages of sclerotherapy over other treatments for leg veins?
Sclerotherapy is considered less invasive then surgically stripping the veins and more effective than laser treatment for certain types of leg veins. There are some leg veins that will only respond to surgery and some that respond very well to the laser vein treatment. Many physicians consider sclerotherapy the gold standard for treatment of leg veins.
How long do the treatments take?
This depends on the number of veins that need to be treated. Treatments typically take between 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Does the treatment hurt?
Although some patients experience minimal discomfort, we try to minimize the discomfort by using numbing cream and a very small needle.
How many treatments do I need and how often do I need to do it?
Most veins typically require 2 to 4 treatments. Treatments are repeated on a monthly basis.
What are some possible side effects?
Side effects in sclerotherapy are rare when performed by a qualified physician. Some of the possible side effects are the following: 1) hyperpigmentation (darkening) of the skin, 2) hypopigmentation (lightening) of the skin, 3) fat necrosis leading to skin dimpling, 4) tissue necrosis which can lead to scars, 5) bruising, 6) matting, and 7) swelling. Because there are a number of solutions that can be used for sclerotherapy, the above listed are only some of the possible side effects.
Amae laser skin solutions is a professional medical facility offering quality cosmetic skin procedures including Botox, Restylane, Juvederm, laser hair removal, Cool Lipo liposuction, and more. Dr. Edward Chiang and Dr. Henry Leung are trained in laser dermatology and are proud to serve patients of all skin types including Asian, Hispanic, African American. Our two locations are proud to serve San Gabriel Valley, Orange County, Aliso Viejo, Irvine, Rosemead, and Pasadena.