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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)

Medical Assistant was really friendly.

#12025-06-23

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

#22026-03-11

I appreciated having a conversation with the Physician, as well as developing a plan together. Accentuating the positive when there is so much negative really helps in enthusiastically executing the plan.

#32025-12-08

Dr. Ringpfeil has a great bedside manner and is very patient. Loved the art work!

#42011-04-11 16:33:05

The friendly people who work here are great. Probably the best thing, though, is the timeliness of service. Most physicians make me wait far past my appointment time. I appreciate on-time service immensely!

#52026-03-18

office is clean

#62011-05-02 14:47:10

Dr Ringpfiel is clearly extremely knowledgable, and dhe took the time to listen completely to me about my condition. I really appreciated the time she took with me, and I am confident she is on the right path for treatment.

#72026-01-03

I am very self conscious about my acne but everyone made me feel very comfortable!

#82025-08-08

I like the dermatologist's bed side manner and I get the impression she keeps up with the latest treatment options.

#92025-10-08

This is one of the best medical offices that I have visited. I see doctors in the Penn and Bryn Mawr systems and this is by far much better than any of those offices. The entire staff is friendly and accommodating. Both doctors are awesome! I have recommended you to family and friends. Keep up the great work!

#102012-12-03 17:05:27

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What can we do better?

(answers:373)

don't think you could!!

#12025-07-18

NO COMMENT AT THIS TIME.

#22025-06-19

I am completely satisfied with the current level of service and really can't think of anything that you could improve upon. This survey is a good thing.

#32010-10-13 09:38:13

The restroom could be cleaner.

#42011-01-19 08:56:51

Only the 30 minute wait time really should be shortened.

#52026-03-26

Can't think of a way to better your service; it was excellent.

#62026-01-08

Everything to date that your office has performed has been done professionally and expeditiously. It's a pleasure to deal with all the staff.

#72025-10-20

Its hard to find anything that you guys didn't do correct. Keep up the good work

#82011-08-03 11:52:57

Keeping me from dying of skin cancer would be good (I will behave and do the checks and annual exam to help out!!!)