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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.

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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)

cleanliness of office, layout of facility, short wait time to see physician, communication skills of physician and medical asst.

#12026-01-26

The office is really nice. The lobby is really nice and the doctor knows what she is doing..

#22026-03-14

Everything was great!!!!!! I am so glad I found this place!

#32025-05-23

The staff was wonderful. They were knowledgeable, professional and personable. The office beautiful, even the music was great.

#42025-12-27

The doctor and medical assistant took time to explain all of my treatment options and to answer all of my questions completely and honestly.

#52025-07-09

Latte!

#62011-06-02 09:33:27

everybody smiles

#72011-12-16 09:57:55

I was extremely impressioned with the professionalism of the entire staff and the uplifing atmosphere of the office as it made me feel relaxed and welcomed. I love the color scheme of the office too!

#82025-10-06

Everything was great. See you in 1 year. The office was super clean and nice.

#92026-01-29

Both the doctor and medical assistant were very knowledgable.

#102010-11-09 10:53:55

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What can we do better?

(answers:373)

my visit was great

#12026-04-16

My experience in the office today was absolutely excellent

#22026-03-16

Less wait time for an appointment.

#32010-11-17 15:23:04

tell the Dr. to stop snowboarding and come back to skiing..;-)

#42011-12-07 10:55:46

all good

#52010-10-14 12:21:49

everything was wondurful. Thanks!

#62025-10-18

more than adequate service!

#72026-03-22

Everything was great.

#82025-12-06

My next appointment could not be scheduled for 6 weeks. I wish I could be seen sooner!

#92010-12-16 10:06:03

it's a little thing, but when you enter an office and ask the receptionist attending to you how are you, she say fine, but does not inquire how you are, and is not engaging, I just think its rude.

#102026-02-14

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