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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)

everyone was superb

#12025-08-14

Climate and environment

#22026-05-05

The medical assistant was very friendly and sat with me through the registration process to ensure my computer worked properly. The clinican was very patient and provided excellent care.

#32011-05-25 13:14:40

The staff was very friendly, helpful and professional. The doctor herself is a pro, I was very impressed and will definitely recommend her to others, especially of my race. Its very hard to find a good dermatologist and I believe she is wonderful and really knows what she's doing. I am glad that I came here, thank you.

#42011-11-10 12:40:32

Beautiful Office and Wonderful Staff!

#52026-01-13

The doctor was very clear and extremely thorough along with being pleasant. She makes her patients comfortable.

#62025-08-03

It is clearly evident taht Dr. Ringpfeil is genuinely motivated by listening to your full symptoms, issues and then selecting the approach that is best for you. I scheduled my appt with the hopes of undergoing pricey treatments. Rather than signing me up and taking my check, she insisted that we first address the cause of my problems. Obviously, her goal is to heal the patient, not simply select the treatments that would be most lucrative for her. Impressive.

#72025-08-18

Art work

#82026-07-23

Having the classical music from WRTI radio station in the background as well as the amicable staff

#92025-11-10

Friendly staff and doctore

#102025-10-05

See more patient answers >>

What can we do better?

(answers:373)

No complaints at all, but since you asked, receptionist today could have been "warmer"

#12010-08-25 10:41:35

I'm sending my whole family here. It's wonderful.

#22025-08-27

Everything was great! The only thing I would say is when I called to make an appointment for sun spot treatment to let me know that I should limit my sun exposure and wear sunblock.

#32011-05-05 13:30:08

No comments at this time.

#42026-05-20

This was my first visit and although i was uncomfortable with my problem which was addressing I was truly happy with everything else.

#52011-07-28 15:11:23

More upbeat music! The warm temperature and the John Mayer-esque music made me feel as if it were bedtime =)

#62011-09-16 11:42:32

Everything was great.

#72026-02-01

I'm completely satisfied, thank you.

#82010-11-09 11:24:08

More appointment availability either early or later (before or after the normal 9-5 workday)