Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution directly into the vein. The sclerotherapy solution causes the vein to heal, forcing blood to reroute through healthier veins. The collapsed vein is absorbed by the local tissue and eventually disappears.
After sclerotherapy, treated veins tend to disappear within a few weeks; although sometimes it can take a month or more to see the final result. In some cases, several sclerotherapy treatments are needed.
Sclerotherapy is frequently performed for cosmetic purposes, to improve the appearance of varicose and spider veins. The procedure may also improve related symptoms such as:
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, doctors recommend that you wait to have sclerotherapy.
Some side effects that may occur at the injection site include the following: