Varicose veins and spider veins are dysfunctional and no longer allow blood to flow like it normally should. They can appear as raised blue and red lines under your skin and cause physical symptoms like aching, swelling, burning, and leg cramps.
Sclerotherapy helps improve the cosmetic appearance of your legs and reduce symptoms by closing off the dysfunctional veins so blood flow is rerouted to healthier veins that return the blood to your heart. We encourage you to call our office today and schedule a consultation to learn more about sclerotherapy in Kansas City and how it can help reduce discomfort and improve your self-confidence and self-image.
Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical procedure performed in a healthcare professional’s office, typically without anesthesia. During your consultation, your veins are assessed to decide whether sclerotherapy is appropriate.
For the procedure, you will lie down and elevate your legs slightly. First, the skin is treated with an antiseptic solution and thoroughly cleansed. Then, using a fine needle, the veins are injected with a sclerosing agent. The sclerosing agent used depends on the size and location of the vein. The agent irritates the vein’s inner lining and causes it to swell, harden, and stick together.
This treatment causes the vein to form scar tissue, which blocks blood flow through the vein. When the vein is closed off, your body naturally reroutes blood to healthier veins nearby. This helps improve circulation and the delivery of nutrients and oxygen in the area. Over the coming weeks and months, your body gradually reabsorbs the collapsed vein, which causes it to fade and improve your skin’s appearance.
The ideal candidate for sclerotherapy in Kansas City is a man or woman with varicose veins or spider veins looking for a non-surgical treatment to improve their appearance and reduce their symptoms. You should be in overall good health without any significant underlying health condition that could impair healing or increase the risk of complications.
You should also have realistic expectations about the results and be committed to caring for the area after the procedure. While sclerotherapy is an effective treatment for many people, it is not an appropriate treatment for everyone. For example, people with severe forms of venous disease or significant venous insufficiency are not suitable candidates.
You should not be pregnant or have any allergies to the sclerosing solution. The area of skin to be treated should be free of infections, rashes, or open wounds, and you should not have a history of blood clots, particularly deep vein thrombosis. Ideal candidates are not smokers. If you are a smoker, you must be willing to quit for six weeks before and after the procedure since smoking impairs circulation and slows the healing process.
Preparing for your sclerotherapy procedure in Kansas City can help smooth your recovery. After the treatment is finished, you will wear compression stockings or bandages to help with blood flow and reduce swelling for several days to weeks, depending on the size of the treated veins. You are generally encouraged to walk after the procedure to help promote circulation, but it is important to avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and prolonged standing for several days.
Common side effects include some bruising, redness, and mild swelling at the injection sites, which resolve within a few days to a week. You may also experience temporary skin discoloration or a small hard lump in the treated area, which also resolves.
After a few weeks, you will follow up with your healthcare provider to assess the results and determine if additional treatments are necessary. Most people can return to their normal activity within one to two days, but it takes several weeks to month to experience the full results as the treated veins gradually fade. It is advisable to avoid hot baths, saunas, and direct sun exposure to the treated areas for several weeks after the procedure.
Men and women can benefit from treatment with sclerotherapy to reduce the appearance and symptoms of varicose and spider veins. We encourage you to call our practice today and schedule your consultation to discover how sclerotherapy in Kansas City can help reduce your symptoms and boost your self-confidence.