Certain vein conditions, including varicose veins, can cause discomfort. Others, like spider veins, can impact the appearance of your skin and hamper your self-esteem. Thankfully, there are numerous treatments that you can consider for your current concerns, and sclerotherapy is one of them. Check Boise sclerotherapy treatment clinics to book an appointment for a personal consultation. Here are seven essential things worth knowing about sclerotherapy for varicose veins.
- Sclerotherapy is not surgery. While surgery is often essential to treat large varicose veins, sclerotherapy is not the same. It doesn’t require general anesthesia and can be completed as an outpatient procedure. One session can take up to an hour.
- There is no downtime. If you are a busy person and cannot wait to get back to work, you should know that sclerotherapy is minimally invasive and requires no downtime. You can return to your life soon, although it may be wise to have someone drive for you.
- You may feel some discomfort but not pain. Sclerotherapy involves injecting a foamy liquid into the varicose veins. You may experience a stinging sensation when the liquid is pushed through the needle, but there is no pain involved. Most patients don’t need local anesthesia, although it is an option.
- You may need more than a couple of appointments. Patients usually see a visible difference after their first sclerotherapy session, but for the targeted veins to disappear, it can take two or more appointments. Enlarged and more visible veins take longer to disappear.
- You will need compression stockings. Talk to your doctor about the type of bandage or compression stockings you may need, which are a must after your sclerotherapy appointment. You need to wear the stockings for at least two weeks.
- There will be aftercare instructions. You should not shave the area immediately after your session. Also, you should consult your doctor if you see a significant change in your skin color or have pain. Sunscreen is usually recommended, and you need a product with a higher SPF.
- Insurance doesn’t cover sclerotherapy for most patients. Because sclerotherapy is often considered for cosmetic reasons, insurance may not cover the cost of the treatment. The final treatment expense depends on the number of sessions required.
As you may have guessed, sclerotherapy is easily the most effective way to treat varicose veins. If that’s not an option for you, there are other choices, like laser treatments.
