Sclerotherapy (Veins)

Say Goodbye to Troubling Veins with Sclerotherapy

Vein issues like spider veins and reticular veins are common, especially for people who spend a lot of time on their feet or women over a certain age. These lumpy or discoloured veins can be a source of insecurity, causing some people to avoid bathing suits, skirts, or anything that exposes their puffy or purple veins.

Thanks to Kelso Lake Medical Cosmetics, you do not have to hide anymore. Using sclerotherapy, we can eliminate unsightly spider and reticular veins.

Request an appointment to see how sclerotherapy can work for you.

How Does Sclerotherapy Work?

Sclerotherapy is an injection-based treatment designed to shut down damaged veins without the need for surgery.

We start by injecting a liquid or foam called a sclerosing agent into the target vein. The sclerosing agent irritates the walls of the vein, causing it to collapse. The collapsed vein seals itself shut, automatically redirecting blood flow into the surrounding blood vessels.

Sclerotherapy is permanent, although you may require multiple treatments depending on the severity of your vein issues. Eventually, your body will reabsorb the collapsed blood vessels.

What to Expect From Your Sclerotherapy Treatment

Before having any treatment, you will first come in for a consultation that will include a patient questionnaire, information about compression therapy, a physical and health history examination, and possibly a short Doppler Exam.

Preparing for the Procedure

Before you come in for sclerotherapy, please:

Do not apply lotion or shave your legs 1 day prior to your appointment
Have something to eat so you don’t have an empty stomach
For best results, avoid for 3-5 days prior to injection:
- Omega 3
- Ginseng
- Garlic
- Vitamin E
- St. John’s Wort
- Aspirin (unless you are taking it heart or stroke condition)
- NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) eg. Advil, Motrin, Ibuprofen
- Alcohol (48 hours). If you are taking blood thinners, prednisone or steroids, we may be unable to treat

We unfortunately can not treat you if you are pregnant. Also, please let us know if you are breastfeeding. If at all possible, please do not bring children to your appointment

During the Procedure

Please bring with you:

A pair of shorts or loose fitting pants to wear home
Your valid OHIP card
A list of your current medications

Your experience with sclerotherapy will depend on the treatment area and the condition of the affected veins.

Generally speaking, your appointment will last approximately 45 minutes. If the affected veins are in your legs, we will most likely have you lay down with your legs elevated. You may experience some mild discomfort during the treatment.

After the Procedure

After your appointment, we will give you detailed care instructions for the treatment area, which may include wearing compression stockings. You may notice some side effects for a few days, including bruising, redness, swelling, discomfort, or raised skin.

You may also notice some brown patches or lines after treatment. In most cases, these spots will disappear within a few months.

Seek medical help if you notice:

Difficulty breathing
Chest pain
Dizziness
Coughing up blood
Visual disturbances
Headaches
Nausea
Fainting

What’s the Difference Between Spider Veins, Varicose Veins, & Reticular Veins?

Spider Veins

Spider veins are small blue, purple, or red lines that appear under your skin. They are mostly painless, and usually don’t affect the texture of your skin, although in some cases, they do become slightly raised. You may find spider veins unattractive or mildly uncomfortable, but they cannot actually harm you.

Varicose Veings

Varicose veins, are larger veins that look twisted and thick. They are usually raised, with a puffy or lumpy appearance. Unlike spider veins, varicose veins are typically skin-coloured or slightly reddish.

Varicose veins can be quite painful, causing the legs to ache or even bleed. They could also increase your risk of developing circulation issues or blood clots.

Reticular veins

Reticular veins are small blue or green veins that are about 1mm to 3mm in diameter. Reticular veins are larger than spider veins, with a flatter, less tangled look to them and can show on your legs or face. With reticular veins, you may experience itchiness or burning in the affected area, and pooling blood can cause the dilated veins to appear under your skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Causes Vein Problems?

Veins carry blood from the legs back to the heart through one-way valve systems. When there is a weakness in the vein wall or a faulty valve, the valve stretches and no longer closes properly.

The veins become filled with blood that can’t flow, causing pain, swelling, discoloration, sores that won’t heal, and occasionally phlebitis, leg ulcers and blood clots.

Vein problems are much more common in women, particularly those that stand for a living and/or have had children. Venous disease is also genetically inherited.

How Many Treatments are Required?

Depending on the type and severity, the average number of treatments is anywhere between 3 and 5, however as many as 10 treatments may be required.

The larger vessels only require a few (3 or 4) well placed injections with a stronger solution. They must be treated first. The smaller spider veins may require many points of injection using a weaker solution. The injections will be stopped at any time if the patient so requests.
The number of injections is less important than the type of sclerosing agent used, its dosage, the site of the injections and the skill of the doctors and their staff.

What Should I Do After a Treatment?

After spider vein treatment, your legs will be covered in cotton balls attached with tape, so you are advised to wear dark coloured loose fitting clothing to the session. Remove the cotton balls after one hour. Resume normal activities. Avoid alcohol, ASA, and hot baths and exercise for 48 hours.

What Types of Vein Problems Do You Treat?

Spider veins and varicose veins are the most common. Other vein problems include chronically swollen legs, recurrent infections, thrombophlebitis, and pregnancy-related problems.

Diagnosis & Treatment

Diagnosis starts with a careful history and physical exam. Diagnostic tests are often needed to evaluate the extent of disease. If treatment is indicated, each one treatment takes about 20 minutes. The number of treatments depends on the severity of the problem. Discomfort after treatment is rare. Most patients leave our office and go directly back to work. We recommend that patients walk for 20 minutes after each treatment.