A: The more you wait the better but the minimum is 6 weeks.

You should wait for the acute inflammation to go away, usually in 4-6 weeks, depending on the solution used, the size of the vein treated and you skin complexion. (Olive skin or dark skin color may be more predisposed to darker discoloration than fair skin.)

The main concern here is not to stimulate the melanin (skin pigment) producing skin cells and thus minimize the undesirable skin discoloration that may happen in the treated areas. A compromise may be to venture out with shorts and skirts with sunblock on at most, and certainly no sun tanning. In time, you may resume normal activities with normal sun exposure.

- Dr. Wright

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A: I am asked this question many times. You can safely get pregnant immediately after a treatment. But if you do get pregnant in the middle of a series of treatments, you should stop all treatments until 3 months after you deliver. This is a wide safety margin for the prevention of blood clots. The medications that are used by almost all experts, Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate and Polidocanol, are very safe. They are fatty acid esters similar to lidocaine. They are cleared out of your system in 24 hours or less and present no difficulties.

- Dr. Wright

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A: Sclerotherapy can be very successful around the ankle. One must first be sure that all of the larger incompetent veins in the distal calf and ankle have been treated. I prrfer to treat ankles in several sessions since overaggressive sclerotherapy at the ankle can result in temporary swelling of the foot which can be very annoying to patients.

It is true however, that the foot and ankle are slightly more sensitive than the calf and thigh. These areas are basically skin and bone, with little subcutaneous tissure, or “meat” to help absorb inflammation. In addition, there are numerous tiny superficial nerves in these areas. Treatment is effective, but this area is sensitive.

- Dr. Wright

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Absolutely! Some of the best results come from treating the mattes that were caused by sclerotherapy injections or similar treatments. The tiny vessels are difficult to treat with lasers and other technologies, but the Veinwave provides a very high level of patient satisfaction.

- Dr. Wright

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Yes. Sclerotherapy which is an injections of a medication to close veins can help or relieve symptoms such as tenderness, aching, and burning caused by varicose veins. However, it is best to have an evaluation by a doctor with an ultrasound to know the full extent of your vein problems before starting sclerotherapy for symptomatic veins. The evaluation is important! If you have symptoms associated with your varicose or spider veins. You may have reflux in your saphenous vein which should be treated before you have sclerotherapy.

- Dr. Wright

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Your friend may be experiencing skin break down which can happen with any sclerotherapy. It will heal fully but it must be treated properly. I would contact the doctor right away to let them know.

- Dr. Wright

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Yes, you can have sclerotherapy on your hand and wrist. I dont advise getting sclerotherapy on your arms as you may need those veins for IV or blood draws.

- Dr. Wright

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We recommend a week of avoiding hot tubs or Jacuzzi after sclerotherapy . The reason is based on a study that showed better cosmetic results after sclerotherapy for patients who wore compression stockings. Bathing in hot water has the opposite effect of compression so we ask for patients to refrain from it and wear stockings for a week.

- Dr. Wright

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Spider veins are thin surface veins that turn blue or red under the strain of the venous reflux and affect the appearance of the location where they occur. Spider veins are considered a cosmetic problem, rarely causing physical discomfort, and can be addressed with a variety of non-invasive, techniques.

Sclerotherapy is a treatment using a tiny needle to inject a solution called sclerosant into the veins, irritating the lining of the veins, causing them to close. Sclerotherapy is also used to treat both varicose and spider veins that are seen on the surface of the leg.

Veinwave works using radio waves that are pulsed directly to the desired area, so treatment is quick and pain free. Any adult man or woman in good general health who has thin spider veins, or tangled, thread-like veins known as “telangiectasia,” is a good candidate. Also anyone who is looking for a quick procedure and wants to avoid the possibility of bruising or scarring should consider the Veinwave treatment.

- Dr. Wright

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It is variable. Most patients will see the veins looking much worse for the first 2 weeks. After that, they see some improvement.

Some patients can enjoy great results as soon as 4 weeks after injections, others might take up to 3-4 months. Things usually look worse for a month or so then fading starts, and it can take several months before significant improvement is noted. It also usually takes more than one treatment.

- Dr. Wright

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