SCLEROTHERAPY RECOVERY: HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

You might have noticed varicose veins or spider veins on your legs. These superficial veins bulge out, seemingly protruding from underneath the skin. They can be bluish or purple in shade and look rather unsightly. When people start to develop varicose veins, they may feel ashamed or embarrassed about their appearance. However, it’s important to note that this could be more than a cosmetic issue. In many cases, varicose veins and spider veins will cause significant levels of discomfort and even pain. Some people may even notice that their skin feels itchy in the impacted area.

There are various treatment options available for individuals who suffer from this condition. The best treatments will directly address the vein that is causing the issue. The impacted vein can be closed off, redirecting blood flow to other veins. This stops it pooling and allows for the vein to be removed, typically with no scarring at all. One of the most popular solutions is sclerotherapy.

Sclerotherapy Explained

Through sclerotherapy, a medical solution or agent known as the sclerosant is injected into a vein. This obliterates the vein that has become varicose. The agent is able to damage the lining of the vein which is known as the endothelium. This almost immediately causes a clot which then results in the circulation of the blood being blocked.

Varicose veins and spider veins are caused when there is an issue with the valves in the veins, usually in the legs. Veins include one-way valves that ensure that the blood can return to the heart from the peripheral tissues. In the case of varicose veins, the blood instead pools in a particular area which causes the impacted vein to twist or bulge.

Sclerotherapy provides an effective solution to this issue. It can also help reduce the development of related medical conditions. This includes venous insufficiency. That can result in leg swelling as well as skin ulcerations and blood clots.

The first step of sclerotherapy is to ensure that an individual is a right fit for the procedure. It is important to be aware that not everyone will be eligible for sclerotherapy. It is ideally suited for those who are not obese and have smaller varicose veins or spider veins. These are also known as superficial varicose veins. Those people who are healthy but have veins 4mm or less that are impacting their cosmetic appearance may also be ideal candidates for this particular procedure.

What To Expect?

Initially, you will be screened using ultrasound techniques. The aim here is to ensure that the site of the issue is ascertained so that the right, specific treatment can be provided. Once this has occurred, a needle will be used to inject the solution into the vein. This is a quick procedure and is minimally invasive. However, it will still require an injection.

HOW TO PREVENT SPIDER VEINS IN MY LEGS?

Spider veins and varicose veins can be a very difficult aesthetic issue to deal with. They can certainly become problematic, not just aesthetically but also medically. This may present itself with aching or twinges of pain and although it is often not debilitating, it can cause anxiety and stress that you do not have to deal with. You may notice some type of leg fatigue, swelling or an itching sensation that can be uncomfortable, especially if you are sitting for long periods at work. This can also apply if your job requires you to be stood for long periods of time; both are equally damaging and must be combated to stop the spreading of spider veins.

Spider veins may become more prevalent with age but it isn’t necessary a condition that is only defined by older age. People with a paler skin tone may first notice spider veins in their youth, most commonly found around the backs of the legs, thighs and even on the face. Women are most likely to develop them due to different skin types to men, and can affect upto 50% of the population. They may be red, purple or blue coloured and can easily start to spread and become more prominent if not treated accordingly. The cause of spider veins may vary but most often they are caused from pressure on the legs that restrict blood flow and cause pressure within, which cause veins to dilate and therefore become prominent. For women, it can cause issues with body image and confidence; but it doesn’t have to be this way. With modern vein treatments, there are a plethora of ways to assist the look and feel of spider veins.

Risk factors may include: age, prolonged sitting or standing, obesity, pregnancy, hormone therapy, using birth control pills, injury, vein surgery, blood clots or hereditary factors will all play a part. If any of these apply to you, then it may be a good idea to look at some ways to help prevent spider veins (alongside vein treatments) to create a healthier and more active lifestyle that should really aid the symptoms.

Are Spider Veins Preventable?

There are many ways to help prevent the visibility of spider veins but this must be done from a young age, as there is very little to do naturally to help the look of spider veins once they are visible other than treatment. Some top tips may include:

Keeping your legs elevated when sitting – if you sit often, ensure that you are not crumpling your legs up by the side of you or putting pressure on the backs of your legs. Keep them elevated as often as possible and ensure good circulation. Use a foot stool or lift your legs up on the couch when watching television.
Keeping your legs moving – if you are stood up for long periods, ensure that you keep your legs moving as much as you can, to ensure your legs aren’t static and taking the pressure of your weight. Bending the knees can aid circulation when you’re stood still, or walking on the spot, if possible, although there may be a need to be discreet if you’re working, trying to keep them gently moving will be of huge benefit.
Support stockings – these types of stockings can be worn at all times to help alleviate symptoms. Also known as compression stockings, they work to aid circulation by increasing pressure; we may often wear them on planes to avoid issues such as DVT on long haul flights. It is a similar concept, you may need to get advice on the best type of stocking for your issue.
Exercise – keeping a good exercise routine can help take the pressure off your legs. Keeping active, walking instead of driving and swimming can also be very beneficial. Ensure that you keep to this routine weekly to see the best results. The best exercises are: gentle walks, swimming, cycling, sports and Pilates. Yoga can also be beneficial but ensure that there are no positions that put additional pressure on the legs.
Avoid tight clothing – any kind of clothing around the groin and legs can compromise blood flow. Wearing comfortable loose clothing will assist greatly, not just for your spider veins but also for your general circulatory help and even musculoskeletal health. Look for the best materials such as linen, polyester and materials that offer comfort and do not restrict your movement in any way.
Don’t cross your legs – keep those legs moving! Do not sit cross legged, either on the floor, or couch or at your desk chair; this will restrict blood flow and put unnecessary pressure on the veins. If this is a current habit, you may find that this has been the cause of your spider veins. Think about your positioning and posture to avoid any type of constriction at work and at home. Look at a footstool at the office, so your legs are not just dropped down to the floor.
Improve blood flow herbally – certain supplements can really benefit your circulation and therefore stop the visibility of spider veins. Some of these may include: Cayenne, Ginkgo biloba, Horse Chestnut Extract, Grape Seed Extract, Chromium, Butcher’s Broom, these can be used only as a supplement and should not be taken instead of a healthy diet. Eat well, such as omega 3 and fatty rich foods that are rich in oils and iron to assist circulation.
Protect skin better – wear sunscreen and assist your skin to ensure that there is no damage to the skin via UV radiation, or thinning of the skin which can make spider veins more visible. Using the correct sunscreen for your skin is also important, look at the factor that you need to protect your skin correctly.
Avoid high heeled shoes – wear lower heels or flats that do not put a bigger strain on your legs. Certain heels cause you to grip your shoes differently which in turn causes you to walk differently and change posture. Over time wearing high heels can not only damage your legs but can affect your ankles and feet leading to other issues such as bunions. Be sensible with the shoes that you choose to wear, supportive shoes will be helpful.
Laser therapy – types of laser therapies can really be beneficial for people with spider veins. Laser vein closure, which is something we offer and fully believe in, is a type of endovenous ablation that helps diminish visible veins and begins with using a thin laser through the vein via a catheter; a special anesthesia is delivered to ensure it is painless. The laser helps close up any veins and this procedure is proven to greatly assist the look of spider veins.
Sclerotherapy – we provide and believe that this non-invasive treatment can be a really helpful option for those wanting to reduce the look of spider veins. It works to deliver a solution direct to the veins using a very fine needle, this solution irritates the inner lining of the vein and eventually leads to its collapse and therefore the vein ‘dies off’. Any pooled blood is redistributed into healthy veins and overtime you can see a huge difference to the skin’s look and feel. It can also be targeted for spider veins across many areas of the body, not just the legs.

Most often our non- invasive treatments can assist to combat the look of spider veins as well as any additional symptoms that present because of this. By maintaining all of the above tips in conjunction with treatment, you could be seeing an 80-90% improvement in your legs which can assist you in feeling more like yourself and being confident once again in your body.

Making The Right Decisions For Me

The outlook can be positive; we offer a range of solutions that we believe can really alleviate all aspects of spider/varicose veins but essentially the right type of treatment is down to your beliefs, your goals for recovery and what type of treatment is best suited to your lifestyle. This is something that we are more than happy to discuss with each patient, with any type of query about treatment. You may want to look at a consultation to really assess the type of veins you have and what a professional believes could work well for you. Most people respond well to treatments, with the look and feel of the area being massively improved. There is no need to suffer any longer, delve into the world of vein treatments today.

How Long is the Sclerotherapy Recovery?

When you think about what treatment option is going to be right for you, it’s important to weigh up the benefits of each possibility. There are numerous advantages to this treatment option that you should keep in mind. However, one of the main benefits is always going to be the recovery time.

Compared to other treatment options, you will recover significantly faster when you opt for sclerotherapy. Indeed, this treatment is completed as an outpatient procedure. This means that you will be able to leave the office on the same day of the procedure. You will be able to quickly get back to your daily routine and most patients feel little to no discomfort during this process.

It’s important to note that while the recovery time is close to instant, this does not mean that you will immediately see changes to your skin and the veins in question. Indeed, there can be a significant period of time before you notice the impact of the treatment. This will differ from person to person. However, most people will begin to see changes several weeks after treatment. Within three months, the varicose vein or spider veins will usually have faded completely.

Some people may require additional treatments to gain the best possible results from this solution.

Can Anything Negatively Impact Recovery?

It is important to note that while sclerotherapy may seem like a simple procedure, it does need to be completed by an expert. If this does not occur, then it is possible that the first attempt will lead to the solution being administered outside of the impacted vein. As well as leading to significant discomfort for you, this could also impact both the chance of success and the time it takes to fully recover from this treatment.

Recovery will also be impacted if you were not the right fit for the treatment, to begin with. Some patients may see certain limited side effects of the treatment. This includes a dark discoloration which is known as hyperpigmentation. This occurs due to the disintegration of the blood cells within the vessel that is being treated. However, for most individuals, this impact will fade within just six months. Some patients may notice that other spider veins develop around the area where the treatment has been provided. However again, these tend to fade within six months.

For these reasons, it is important to make sure that you are using a specialist solution. It is absolutely vital that the individual who completes your procedure has the right level of training and knowledge to administer this treatment the correct way. It is also important that they do ensure that you are the right candidate before treatment is provided.

You will also need to make sure that you are following any instructions provided for your recovery.

Are Special Procedures Required During Recovery?

As with any medical treatment, it is important that you do complete your recovery the correct way. However, the instructions for aftercare once you have received sclerotherapy are quite simple. You must make sure that you wear a compression sock for a few weeks after the treatment is complete. This is entirely for your benefit. As well as speeding up the recovery process, it will ensure that you are able to guarantee that you gain the right results with this treatment.

A compression sock will ensure that the solution used during your treatment will remain in the right place. As such, you can guarantee that there won’t be issues with the agent settling in. If you fail to wear the sock, you may find that you see limited results with this treatment. It’s possible that you won’t see any changes to your vein at all.

Aside from this, you should ensure that you are making the right changes to your lifestyle. This is particularly important during the period immediately after treatment. The aim here will be to reduce the risk of you developing other issues with your veins. It’s worth noting that sclerotherapy will only impact the vein that has been treated. As such, it is possible that you will notice another vein in your leg becomes varicose.

There are numerous ways to reduce the risk of this occurring. However, the main point to focus on is changing your lifestyle. For instance, there is significant research that suggests that the right antioxidants will improve blood flow. This is going to limit the chance of blood pooling which causes the veins to twist and bulge, as often witnessed during this condition.

You might also want to think about increasing your daily activity. Staying active will help keep the blood moving through the body. However, it is also important to guarantee that you are not standing for extended periods throughout the day. This makes it more difficult for the blood to travel from the legs to the heart.

As you can see the recovery time for sclerotherapy is short and one of the best features of this particular treatment option. However, you do need to make sure that you are getting the right treatment from an expert in vein procedures and the conditions that could be impacting you.

Other Benefits

There are other benefits to this treatment option aside from the rapid recovery. As well as being a minimally invasive procedure, sclerotherapy will typically provide a high level of success. The results also tend to be long-lasting. As such, you won’t have to worry about needing a repeat treatment. Furthermore, when completed the correct way there is little to no discomfort for the patient. After your treatment is complete, you will notice changes to the level of pain caused by your condition immediately.

Dr. Yalamanchili is a specialist in vein treatments and procedures such as sclerotherapy. As such, he can provide the solution you need and guarantee you get the results you want. With the treatment he offers, you will have a clear complexion and beautiful legs that you can be proud of. Sclerotherapy can also be the best option if your veins are causing you significant levels of pain and discomfort or if they are beginning to impact your quality of life.