Sclerotherapy Specialist
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Y. H. Salem, MD, FACS
Acid Reflux and General Surgeon & Varicose Vein Specialist located in Huntington Beach, CA & Anaheim, CA
When dealing with varicose veins or spider veins, sclerotherapy is typically the treatment of choice. Dr. Y.H. Salem and his team offer both injection and laser sclerotherapy procedures to effectively treat vein conditions at his offices in Foothill Ranch, Huntington Beach, and Anaheim, California. With sclerotherapy, you have minimal downtime, see excellent results after just a few weeks, and vastly limit the risk of vein disease complications. To find out if you’re an ideal candidate, call or schedule a consultation online today.
Sclerotherapy
What is sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat varicose effectively and spider veins. In most cases, it’s considered the treatment of choice, particularly for small varicose veins.
The procedure itself involves injecting a chemical solution directly into the vein, which causes the vein to scar, forcing blood to redirect to healthier veins. The scarred vein eventually collapses, gets reabsorbed by the surrounding tissue, and gradually fades.
Following sclerotherapy, treated veins typically take a few weeks to fade completely, although, in some cases, it can take a month or more. Depending on the specifics of your condition, several sclerotherapy treatments may be needed to achieve optimal results.
What should I expect during sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy doesn’t generally require anesthesia and usually takes anywhere from 15 minutes up to an hour to complete. This treatment often depends on the condition and size of the affected veins.
During the procedure, you lie on your back with your legs elevated. Dr. Salem cleans the treatment area, then uses a fine needle to inject the solution into your vein slowly. He also performs laser sclerotherapy, which aims light energy at the veins instead. Both treatments irritate the vein’s lining, causing the vein to swell shut and constricting its blood flow. The affected vein will then slowly become scar tissue and fade away.
The number of injections or laser treatments you need depends on factors such as the size of the veins and whether or not many veins are affected.
What can I expect after sclerotherapy?
There is minimal downtime after sclerotherapy. You’ll be able and encouraged to walk around and move plenty after the procedure, as moving your legs is essential for circulation and preventing blood clots.
Dr. Salem will likely recommend that you wear compression stockings for at least two weeks after sclerotherapy. Still, most patients can resume their usual, everyday routine right after treatment. You should, however, avoid strenuous exercise for at least two weeks.
As far as results are concerned, you should see optimal results after 3-6 weeks for small varicose or spider veins. Treatment for larger veins may not yield full results for 3-4 months after multiple procedures.
Dr. Salem schedules follow-up visits with you to monitor your progress after the procedure and to determine whether or not additional sessions are necessary. Generally, he recommends waiting at least six weeks between sclerotherapy procedures.
If you have varicose veins or spider veins that may require sclerotherapy, call or schedule an appointment online to find out if you’re an ideal candidate.
