Do you find yourself avoiding showing your legs because of visible spider veins or small varicose veins? Have you accepted that your only option is to live with them? The good news is that you don’t have to. Surface sclerotherapy is a safe, minimally invasive treatment designed to diminish unwanted visible veins and restore confidence in your legs.
At Elite Vein Specialists, we are the Varicose Vein Center of Excellence. Led by Dr. O’Hare and her experienced team, we combine advanced technology with compassionate, individualized care to deliver outstanding results for every patient.
At a Glance
Surface sclerotherapy treats varicose veins, spider veins, and feeder vessels near the skin’s surface by injecting a drug that promotes vein closure. Surface sclerotherapy can treat diseased veins on the legs, hands, breasts, shoulders, and back.
Desired results are often present after approximately two months. Risks are minimal when an experienced vein care specialist performs the procedure.
The Procedure
Surface sclerotherapy is the conventional form of sclerotherapy. It is a minimally-invasive vein treatment developed in Europe over 40 years ago to treat varicose veins and spider veins.
The procedure is simple and nearly painless, typically lasting approximately 30 minutes. It requires the vein care physician to inject the undesired vein with a solution that closes it completely. At Elite Vein Specialists, the solution is comprised of only FDA-approved drugs. Guidance methods may be employed to help ensure accuracy during the injection, such as ultrasound guiding for deeper sources of reflux and Veinlite guiding for superficial spiders and feeder vessels.
What Conditions Does It Treat?
This procedure treats varicose and spider veins and the blue-green reticular veins that are often the root cause of vein disease. Surface sclerotherapy has successfully treated diseased veins on the legs, hands, breasts, and small spiders on the shoulders or the back.
Am I a Candidate?
Sclerotherapy can be used on candidates who want to eliminate their varicose and spider veins, along with the underlying cause of those vein diseases. Patients with leg fatigue or pain due to vein disease can benefit significantly from surface sclerotherapy. Traditional sclerotherapy is indicated when the diseased and feeder veins are visible on the skin’s surface. For better precision, guiding mechanisms may be used to discern where treatment is necessary.
This procedure does not produce immediate results, so candidates must have patience when assessing their results. Desired results may not be seen for up to two months after the treatment.
Recovery
Surface sclerotherapy is a quick and minimally-invasive procedure, so the recovery is minimal. Unlike surgical vein stripping, there is virtually no downtime for traditional sclerotherapy. Most patients are up and moving directly same the procedure and can return to work the next day.
Your physician will recommend wearing compression bandages or stockings for about a week after the procedure to promote healthy blood flow and circulation and decrease the risk of blood clots in untreated veins. When treating more prominent varicose veins, your physician will probably require using compression garments. Light exercise and walking, starting the day after the surgery, are also encouraged to aid circulation.
Blood clots and scabs will occur in the closed vein and can present as lumps under the skin surface. These blood clots are not dangerous and resolve as your body heals the scabs. Discoloration and tenderness may occur as the scabs heal.
Potential Risks
Sclerotherapy complications are minimal when an experienced vein specialist performs the procedure. Risks include discoloration of the vein under the skin, bruising or inflammation at the injection site, and allergic reactions from ingredients in the solution.
Matting can also occur, where your body forms many tiny blood vessels around the injection site. Matting will usually resolve independently but sometimes requires additional injections to relieve.
Why Choose Elite Vein Specialists
At Elite Vein Specialists, we are committed to combining advanced medical expertise with compassionate, personalized care. As the Varicose Vein Center of Excellence, our team stays at the forefront of cutting-edge vein treatment technology, delivering safe and effective solutions for both medical and aesthetic concerns. From your very first phone call to your follow-up visits, our top priority is to provide exceptional patient care in a warm, inviting environment.
Dr. O’Hare and her skilled staff specialize in minimally invasive techniques that deliver outstanding results with little to no downtime, boasting success rates of over 98% after the first treatment. Every aspect of your care is designed to be convenient, comfortable, and completely customized. What truly sets Elite Vein Specialists apart is Dr. O’Hare’s unique blend of professional expertise and personal understanding. Having struggled with venous disease herself, she knows firsthand the physical pain and emotional toll that varicose veins can cause. Her journey has shaped her into a compassionate and empathetic physician who partners closely with each patient to find the most suitable solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
The number of injections depends on the size and number of veins being treated. On average, each session may involve several small injections spread across the affected areas.
Most patients describe the injections as mildly uncomfortable, similar to a pinprick or a slight burning sensation. Discomfort is usually minimal and brief.
Smaller veins often begin to fade within a few weeks, while larger veins may take one to three months to resolve fully. Results improve gradually with each session.
The treated veins are permanently closed and absorbed by the body, so they won’t come back. However, new spider or varicose veins can still develop in the future.
Side effects may include minor redness, swelling, itching, bruising, or dark spots along the treated vein. These usually fade within days to weeks.
Sclerotherapy is not done during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Treatment can be safely scheduled once this period has passed.
Avoid hot baths, saunas, direct sun exposure, and strenuous exercise for a few days. Wearing compression stockings and walking regularly will support healing.
Enjoy Healthy, Confident Legs with Surface Sclerotherapy in Walnut Creek, CA
Don’t wait to enjoy the benefits of clearer, healthier-looking legs. Call us today at 925-937-8346 to schedule your consultation at our convenient Walnut Creek, CA location.