Mr. Jackson
@mrjackson

Sclerotherapy in Charleston, SC

Spider veins may not be harmful to the body, but they are noticeable and cause people to be self-conscious about having them. On the other hand, varicose veins may be very painful. At Port City Plastic Surgery, Dr. Brian G. Widenhouse, a board-certified plastic surgeon, offers sclerotherapy to people living in Charleston, Daniel Island, Summerville and Mount Pleasant, SC, to diminish or eliminate spider and varicose veins.

What is Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive cosmetic treatment to diminish or eliminate the appearance of spider and reticular veins as well as varicose veins. With sclerotherapy, medication is injected into the veins to collapse them. It is a treatment performed mostly on the legs but may also treat visible veins on the feet, ankles and the face.

How Much Does Sclerotherapy Cost?

The cost of sclerotherapy is different with each patient based on the extent of the condition as well as the size of the area to be treated. Dr. Widenhouse reviews the costs during a consultation as well as payment and financing options.

Benefits of Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is performed to treat visible spider, varicose and reticular veins offering the following benefits:

  • Easy, minimally invasive treatment
  • Quick procedure
  • Virtually no discomfort
  • Offers relief from painful varicose veins
  • No downtime or recovery treatment

Who is the Ideal Candidate for Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is ideal for anyone who has visible spider or reticular veins that may not be painful but cause anxiety about the appearance of them. It is necessary to have veins evaluated by Dr. Widenhouse to ensure that sclerotherapy is an effective treatment. Additionally, the ideal candidate is someone who does not suffer from blood clots, have a condition involving the blood or veins, or has not given birth or breastfed in the last three months.

What Do I Do to Prepare for Sclerotherapy?

To prepare for sclerotherapy, Dr. Widenhouse must evaluate the veins in the area as well as your overall health and wellbeing to make sure you are a candidate for sclerotherapy. It is essential that you stop taking any medications and supplements that are known to thin the blood at least a week prior to your treatments. Your veins will be evaluated to determine if sclerotherapy is the best option to treat them. Additionally, your physician may check for any underlying vein issues or other health conditions that may negatively affect sclerotherapy.

How Does Sclerotherapy Work?

Sclerotherapy is an effective treatment for the elimination of spider, varicose and reticular veins. When getting this treatment, a solution is injected into the veins that cause them to contract and eventually collapse. This cuts off the blood flow through those small veins and reroutes them through others that are not as close to the skin. Sclerotherapy is not painful, but some patients report a slight stinging feeling when the solution is first injected like getting a shot. This lasts only for a few seconds.

The number of treatments depends on the extent of the visible veins but with each treatment comes significant improvement. The treatment does not take long – usually about 30 to 60 minutes. Most patients require three to four treatments to attain the look they want with each treatment spread out about three weeks apart.

What to Expect After Sclerotherapy

After sclerotherapy, it is fine to return to normal activities including mild exercise. In fact, walking is strongly encouraged to get the blood flowing through new veins. Strenuous exercise, hot tubs, and direct sun exposure are strongly discouraged for a few days following treatment. If there is any bruising or swelling at the injection sites that should remedy itself within a few days.

When Should I See the Results from Sclerotherapy?

The results of sclerotherapy are based on the extent of the veins – spider or varicose – and how many treatments are needed. Typically, smaller areas of spider veins typically diminish then disappear within a few weeks following treatment while larger veins take more time. While the results of sclerotherapy are long-lasting, other areas may develop spider and varicose veins requiring treatment.

Dr. Brian G. Widenhouse, a board-certified plastic surgeon, treats people living in and around Charleston, Daniel Island, Summerville and Mount Pleasant, SC, suffering from spider, varicose and reticular veins with sclerotherapy. Contact us today to schedule your consultation at Port City Plastic Surgery.

LOCATION:

2683 Lake Park Drive
Charleston, SC 29406

LOCATION:

125 River Landing Drive
Suite 101
Daniel Island, SC 29492