Vein Therapy
How does it work?
Vein therapy, also referred to as sclerotherapy, is a medical procedure that treats varicose and spider veins, usually on the legs and sometimes in the face.
During the procedure a special solution (sclerosing agent) is injected directly into the vein. This causes damage to the inner lining of the vein and coagulation / clotting of blood. As the blood clot is reabsorbed, the blood vessel will narrow and slowly disappear as they are gradually absorbed by the body.
Sclerotherapy is a process and usually more than 1 treatment is necessary, hence another treatment can be done 4 weeks after the initial treatment.
It is advisable to wear compression socks after the treatment.
What are the indications and commonly treated areas?
Visible varicose or spider veins on:
- Upper and lower legs
- Sometimes the face
What are the benefits?
Sclerotherapy does not require anaesthesia and regular daily activities can resume after the treatment.
Compression socks will aid in minimising pain, bruising and swelling.
Mostly sclerotherapy yields good results, especially on smaller veins where larger veins might respond slower to the treatment.
With successful treatment, the injected veins won’t reappear. However, new varicose veins that form might need treatment.
