Vein Sclerotherapy

Vein Therapy of Atlanta

General and Vascular Surgery located in Buckhead - Midtown, Atlanta, GA

Considered by many to be the gold standard for varicose or spider vein treatment, sclerotherapy is just one of the many in-office vein treatments Stephen M. Barnett, MD, performs at Vein Therapy of Atlanta. If you have spider or varicose veins, you can feel confident that Dr. Barnett will choose the best treatment option for your specific vein problems. Call today or book an appointment online to learn more.

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Vein Sclerotherapy Q & A

What is sclerotherapy?

Varicose veins are blood vessels that don’t function properly, causing blood to pool in them. When blood collects in your veins, they bulge and swell, often causing symptoms like pain and fatigue.

Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure in which Dr. Barnett injects a solution into the damaged vein to treat it. Depending on the size and location of your problem veins, you may be able to have more than one — or even several veins — treated in a single session.

There are a variety of solutions used to treat varicose veins. Dr. Barnett’s expertise allows him to choose the solution that can work best for your specific needs.

How is sclerotherapy performed?

At the start of the procedure, you lie on your back with your feet elevated. Dr. Barnett first cleanses the treatment area. Then, with ultrasound guidance, he injects a solution into the affected vein.

The solution irritates the lining of the vein, causing the lining to swell and the vein to seal shut. Over time, the vessel turns into scar tissue and is absorbed into the body.

The blood that had pooled in the vein reroutes through nearby healthy veins. The closed vein slowly fades away as your body naturally absorbs it. Dr. Barnett performs this procedure in-house, usually in less than an hour.

Is sclerotherapy painful?

With a skilled surgeon like Dr. Barnett, you will most likely feel little to no pain during a sclerotherapy procedure, other than a minor stinging sensation when he injects the solution. If you do feel pain, tell Dr. Barnett right away, because pain may indicate that the solution has leaked into the tissue surrounding the vein.

What can I expect after a sclerotherapy procedure?

A quick recovery! You can expect to return to your regular activities soon after your procedure. Treated veins can fade in as little as a few weeks, though it may take a month or two to see the full results.

You may experience a few minor side effects such as bruising, darkened skin, or raised red areas, but these side effects usually go away a few days or weeks after the procedure, and they don’t require medical intervention.

For more information about how sclerotherapy can help you, call Vein Therapy of Atlanta or make an appointment online.