Is Sclerotherapy Worth It?

Sclerotherapy is new rage when it comes to the treatment of spider veins and varicose veins. Many people have claimed that this treatment has reduced or removed their vein problem in their legs completely. Many people who are planning on having the treatment done, often want to know if sclerotherapy is worth not only the pain, but also the cost.

What is Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a very popular medical procedure that is often used in the treatment of spider and varicose veins.  The procedure requires that the veins be injected with a chemical solution through the use of a very fine needle. Once the solution reaches inside the veins, it will begin to irritate the vessel’s lining. Once this occurs the blood will begin to clot and the lining will swell and stick together. Over a period of time, the vessel will begin scarring and eventually disappear.

The number of treatments that are needed to get rid of the vein often depend on its size and also how well it responds to the sclerotherapy injections.

This treatment has been used since the 1930’s for the treatment of various vein issues.

Is Sclerotherapy Worth It?

Most people agree that sclerotherapy this worth the price. It has been proven to be very successful at reducing or eliminating varicose and spider veins. There are statistics out there that show that around 50-80% of the veins that are injected via sclerotherapy can be eliminated totally. There is a small group of around 10% that showed no really improvement in their vein problems once sclerotherapy was administered.

Generally, the veins that are treated by sclerotherapy often show improvement after a couple of weeks. Larger veins that are treated will begin to see improvement after a couple of months. Some people may have to go for touch up treatments as new veins can often appear at any given time.

Because of this high success rates, many people agree that the slight discomfort is well worth it. The pain and side effects experienced during and after the surgery is usually not extreme. Some people may experience some bruising, itching, swelling and redness in the area. These symptoms will often go away after a couple of days.

Individuals who have had sclerotherapy done state that the price is not bad for the results that they achieve from the treatment. Compared to laser vein treatments, sclerotherapy is around 1/3 the cost. This makes it perfect for people who want to get rid of their veins, but would not have the money for more expensive treatments.

If you have varicose are spider veins then you should consult with your doctor about the sclerotherapy treatment. This procedure has been proven to effectively reduce the look of varicose veins that occurs on the legs.

Facial Sclerotherapy

facial-sclerotherapySclerotherapy is a well-known medical procedure that is used for the treatment of spider and varicose veins. This has been spoken about in great detail on this blog. The results that people receive from having sclerotherapy done on their legs is amazing. This treatment is able to effectively diminish the look or even completely get rid of varicose and spider veins.

Even though sclerotherapy is generally performed on the legs, there has been a shift in focus in use in this treatment on very is parts of the body such as the arms, chest and even in the face. Facial sclerotherapy has slowly increased in popularity as people want to get rid of the veins that are located on their face. These unsightly veins can appear as a result of sun damage, smoking or even aging. Due to the success of sclerotherapy on the legs, doing on the face should have the same results. It can be used to treat veins that are broken and can be found around the cheeks, nose and eyes.

Generally facial sclerotherapy treatment uses a much milder sclerosing agent than what is used to treat the legs. According to some doctors, they state that the procedure is quite safe, if it is done on areas or the face that are far away from the eyes. Its safety is also attendant on the doctor who is performing the treatment.

Facial Sclerotherapy Risks

There is greater risk associated with facial sclerotherapy compared to it being done on the legs. Generally, there is this fear that the chemical agent may travel through the veins on the face back into the vital structures of the head. This can be extremely dangerous especially around the eye region, as blindness could occur.

With facial sclerotherapy there is a higher chance of bruising, compared to the legs. This is due to the fact that the skin on the face is much thinner and bruising and discoloration is greater.

Because the risks are much higher, the injections that are used should be done slower than those of the leg. This would mean less pressure as well as a milder sclerosing agent.

Conclusion

Facial sclerotherapy can be very effective at reducing veins that can be found on the face. It is very similar to the treatment of the less. There is a possibility of having very minor side effects and the results are very good. Many patients are extremely satisfied with the facial sclerotherapy treatment as your face looks totally different. Because veins on the face are so visible, the reduction or removal of these veins will make a significant difference.

Compared to sclerotherapy done on the legs, there is a greater risk involved. Many doctors do not recommend facial sclerotherapy as there are some serious risks involved.

Video: A Look at Foam Sclerotherapy to Treat Varicose Veins

This ABC News 7 report looks at the use of the treatment, sclerotherapy, for large varicose veins. The reports looks at a woman who needs to have surgery because she has large and painful varicose veins. The doctor explains the new procedure, foam sclerotherapy and how effective it is at treating this medical condition.

This is a great video to watch, especially if you want to see before and after pictures of sclerotherapy in action.Watch this video to get an idea of what to expect and why it is so good at treating varicose veins.

Sclerotherapy Risks

sclerotherapy-risksSclerotherapy is a very safe medical procedure for the treatment of spider and varicose veins. There are generally very little complications and side effects with its use. However, because it is a cosmetic procedure, there are some risks associated with sclerotherapy.

Sclerotherapy is a procedure where a chemical solution is injected into the affected vein. This solution will cause of veins to collapse and eventually fade away and disappear. This treatment is highly effective at getting rid of the troublesome veins. People are usually satisfied with the results.

Generally the risks associated with sclerotherapy are much higher with people who have a history of medical problems. High blood pressure, cognitive heart disease, circulation problems and diabetes are all at a higher risk of having serious problems due to sclerotherapy. Generally these people are not recommended to have the sclerotherapy procedure done on them.

This also applies to women who are pregnant or nursing their baby. The risks factors are much higher and doctors will often not perform the treatment on them.

Generally the risk associated with sclerotherapy is very low. There have been no serious injuries or deaths associated with this particular procedure. As stated above, mild side effects may occur. These usually include irritation, bruising and inflammation. All of this can be treated by medication or they often disappear on their own after a couple of days.

The risk factors associated with Sclerotherapy can be reduced greatly if a well-trained and experienced doctors doing the procedure. If they follow all the guidelines, then the patients should not be at any risk.

Will Insurance Pay For Sclerotherapy Treatment?

insuranceMany people who are considering having the sclerotherapy procedure done, often want to know if their health insurance will cover it.

Sclerotherapy is often seen as a cosmetic procedure for the treatment of spider veins and varicose veins and as a result of this most insurance companies will not cover it.

Sometimes sclerotherapy may be performed if a person’s health is at risk. If you fall into this category, then your insurance company will pick up the cost of this medical procedure. You will however need to show a letter from your physician showing medical reasons as to why you would need this treatment. In this situation, the insurance company may only offer partial coverage. It is highly recommended before doing sclerotherapy that individuals contact their insurance company directly. Here, the individual will be able to verify what is covered under insurance for what is not.