What is sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is the treatment of varicose or spider veins by injection with chemicals that cause steady elimination of the unwanted veins. The treatments used have a good safety record. Local irritation with the injection is common but allergies, deep vein thrombosis or ulceration are rare. It typically takes a few weeks to months for the injected veins to disappear. Larger treated veins can leave behind some pigmentation that usually dissipates over time. Many patients favor sclerotherapy because it’s minimally invasive and typically a tiny needle is used. Most return to normal activities immediately.