rad@ringpfeildermatology.com 610.525.5250

Sclerotherapy

Overview:

Sclerotherapy is a technique designed to shut down unsightly spider veins on legs, thighs, face or other body areas. Several substances can be injected to cause this effect. While providing identical results and downtime, detergents/foaming agents are generally considered painless while hypertonic saline injections are uncomfortable.

Sclerotherapy is used for the treatment of larger spider veins. It is often followed by several sclerolaser treatments which resolve extremely fine vessels that did not take to sclerotherapy.

Expected results:

Seventy percent reduction of spider veins after a series of treatments.

Preparation:

Avoidance of aspirin and ibuprofen for 10 days. Depending on the examination, ultrasound may be necessary to exclude reflux, which may hamper treatment success. If reflux is detected, a consultation with a vascular surgeon may be necessary to remove underlying varicosities.

Post treatment instructions:

Compression stockings 20-30 mmHg or higher for 6 weeks, sun avoidance for 3 months, avoidance of aspirin and ibuprofen for 3 days.

Time to desired results:

The reduction of spider veins can be seen 6 to 8 weeks after each treatment on the lower extremity; facial veins and those on the trunk usually respond faster.

Duration of desired effects:

5-7 years. After this time, our body will form new vessels, especially in genetically determined spider veins.

Limitations:

We do not perform treatments to veins on hands or on the upper or lower eyelids. Ankle veins are challenging to treat.

Contraindications:

History of bleeding or clotting disorders, diabetes, certain auto-immune disorders, pregnancy/breastfeeding, allergy to Sotrodecol or Polidocanol.

Downtime:

Up to 3 months of bruising or hyperpigmentation.

<< Back to Vein Treatment

Loading calendar…

Selected Patient Questions and Answers

Sclerotherapy - Patients ask, Dr. Ringpfeil answers

Please feel free to use the blog below to share information about Sclerotherapy or to ask Dr. Franziska Ringpfeil a question that might be of interest to others.

# of surveys: 4187
Last updated: 1/02/2024 11:10 AM

PATIENT RATINGS

Would you recommend us?

definitely: 93.1%
probably: 6.16%
maybe: 0.58%
not likely: 0.08%
no: 0.02%

Compare our service to other similar practices

excellent: 87.9%
very good: 10.1%
good: 1.8%
poor: 0.06%
very poor: 0%

Overall doctor performance

excellent: 94.2%
very good: 4.89%
good: 0.80%
poor: 0.03%
very poor: 0%

The doctor listened to you attentively

excellent: 93.9%
very good: 4.97%
good: 1.05%
poor: 0.05%
very poor: 0%

The doctor took time to answer your questions

excellent: 94.0%
very good: 4.66%
good: 1.27%
poor: 0.02%
very poor: 0%

The doctor explained treatment options

excellent: 94.3%
very good: 4.16%
good: 1.25%
poor: 0.14%
very poor: 0.02%

The doctor explained treatment options

excellent: 92.0%
very good: 5.69%
good: 2.18%
poor: 0.11%
very poor: 0.0%

Front desk performance

excellent: 85.6%
very good: 10.2%
good: 3.66%
poor: 0.31%
very poor: 0.08%

Aesthetician performance

excellent: 88.6%
very good: 7.61%
good: 3.39%
poor: 0.24%
very poor: 0.08%

Office comfort

excellent: 90.9%
very good: 6.93%
good: 2.08%
poor: 0.05%
very poor: 0.05%

Parking

excellent: 66.4%
very good: 14.4%
good: 15.7%
poor: 2.49%
very poor: 0.9%

Friendliness of the staff during appointment

excellent: 90.9%
very good: 7.23%
good: 1.85%
poor: 0.05%
very poor: 0%

What WE DID WELL

(Answers:674)

Being explained about shopping around at diff. pharmacies for pricing of prescriptions.

#12025-11-01

Fast, fun, very pretty office, excellent art works

#22010-12-07 10:07:04

This was an emergency appointment, and you all took wonderful care of me!!! Thanks so much!

#32026-03-23

very comfortable, but classy environment. Gave the feeling that the practice was upscale and therefore service would be quality

#42011-12-22 16:04:37

The medical assistant and the doctor listen and the doctor explains the procedure and different options very well and explains what to expect from different options or procedure.

#52026-06-15

I was very happy to be able to get an appointment so quickly. The doctor was very thorough.Also, now I know what do do the next time my problem reappears and know that it can be taken care of.

#62026-04-11

Office was lovely and roomy....the giveaways are a nice touch.

#72025-11-11

Friendly staff and very nice office space

#82011-05-27 14:24:47

I enjoyed being seen in a timely fashion...Left my last dermatologist because of hours long wait times. Thank you for valuing my time.

#92026-07-21

Dr. Ringpfeil has an excellent manner and seems extremely competent. She inspires confidence.

#102026-03-28

See more patient answers >>

What can we do better?

(answers:373)

no complaints

#12026-05-22

May be by considering the comfort of the patients by allowing a grace period of atleast10-15mins and also by functioning on weekends too

#22026-07-21

I can't think of anything.

#32010-08-25 14:18:06

This was a great experience and I would not change anything

#42025-12-30

All aspects of care were remarkable--much better than I've encountered elsewhere.

#52026-05-26

I recommended this practice to a family member but they showed up 15 mins late to their first appt. due to traffic and were turned away (after traveling over an hour to get here). I would suggest on the first visit to allow more leeway for late appointments (try to fit them in) and then explain the late policy for all appointments moving forward.

#62011-09-21 14:47:49

Ask patient if they have any pain before asking them to waiting three weeks for appointment

#72026-06-07

Everything was wonderful

#82025-11-23

I had an appointment for a consulation for sun damage. Unfortunately, I need to see either a doctor or PA for my issue and this was not included in my appointment, so I need to make another trip. It is difficult for me to carve time out of my work day to take care of personal needs, so this is creating an inconvenience for me. I would have preferred to had the complete consultation done in one appointment.

#92011-02-14 14:14:53

you can not top anything. this is the best run office and staff that I have ever been in.

#102011-05-26 11:49:32

see more patient answers >>