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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)

the artwork on the walls

#12025-07-31

Overall I just appreciated the fact that my variety of issues were addressed, but of course there are always those questions that pop up after the fact. I appreciated the Dr & assistant's attentiveness. I also appreciated that the Dr was very conscience of what meds were pregnancy safe & not.

#22025-08-03

The doctor took a lot of time explaining my treatment and making sure I was comfortable.

#32025-12-11

everybody very pleasant - and the backgroud music was such a relief from the musical noise one usually hears in waiting rooms

#42026-04-03

I came here because my previous doctor's staff was not friendly or helpful. I am very glad I switched. Everyone here has been very nice and professional

#52025-09-08

very comfortable, pleasant office setting

#62026-04-29

The friendliness of the doctor and staff

#72011-01-24 15:16:37

The reception was warm and welcoming. I felt like I had been here before and it was the first time.

#82026-02-22

Dr. Ringpfeil listened patiently and explained treatment and diagnosis thoroughly

#92026-01-17

The doctor was very personable, she explained each procedure in detail and answered all my questions. Dr. Ringpfeil has a very pleasant and reasurring mannaer, here staff is very efficent and welcoming.

#102025-10-09

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What can we do better?

(answers:373)

I would like to get in with the doctor. I also would like more than one option presented to me. Also, it would be nice to be offered more natural alternatives, or integrative treatments.

#12011-08-10 15:47:37

Don't know, you guys did a great job.

#22026-01-16

The experience was very pleasant, and relaxed. I would not recommend changing anything!

#32026-04-15

Always laugh at my jokes.

#42026-01-04

I cannot think of a thing that would make the visit any better.

#52010-11-03 15:36:43

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

#62010-08-25 10:41:35

I was impressed with every step of making the appointment to seeing the physician.