How Sclerotherapy Works
Sclerotherapy treatment for venous problems can take anywhere from 15 minutes to one hour depending on the severity of your condition. If you’re getting treatment on your legs, your doctor may have you lie on your back, with your legs elevated, and may use an ultrasound as part of the procedure, depending on how far below your skin the damaged veins are. Your doctor will clean your skin around the targeted veins, and then the procedure begins. Your doctor will inject the damaged vein with a sclerosing agent, which comes with a fine needle. Sclerosing agents typically used in sclerotherapy include polidocanol, sodium tetradecyl sulfate, hypertonic saline solutions. The liquid or foam solution causes the walls of the injected vein to seal shut, so blood is redirected to unaffected veins. Over time, your body absorbs the damaged vein, making it less visible and uncomfortable. You may need up to four treatments based on the size of the treated vein or veins.
