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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)

Dr. Ringpfeil was excellent.

#12025-11-09

I was particularly impressed with the doctor and her exam...more thorough than I had previously experienced elsewhere.

#22026-02-01

Dr. Ringpfiel was very attentive; she explained very clearly different treatments and their outcomes and gave me some alternatives I could choose from. I was extremely pleased by the Dr's professionalism, excellence, kindness and attention. Definitely one of the best services I have received! I am bringing my son in 3 weeks!

#32025-09-29

Dr. was very informative. Everyone was very nice. Please give all the ladies here a raise..

#42026-06-01

People, help, expertise.

#52011-01-17 15:16:10

The information provided by the physician was very helpful and useful. I would gladly do what she recommended.

#62025-12-22

Everyone was very friendly

#72025-06-19

Timeliness and attention.

#82026-05-22

Promptness of being seen by physician, excellent, friendly staff. Dr. really listened and offered a plan to resolve my problem.

#92011-10-17 11:50:17

THE ATMOSPHERE IS LOVELY AND DR. RINGPFEIL IS VERY THOROUGH AND I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN HER.

#102025-08-13

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What can we do better?

(answers:373)

maybe classical music on the radio? and some hunting and fishing magazines for the men. but the waiting period is so short it may not matter

#12010-11-08 11:23:38

If it's not broke don't fix it...everything was handled very well

#22026-06-08

It was a perfect experioence, I wouldn't change a thing!

#32026-03-14

Completely satisfied

#42010-10-20 09:59:20

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.

#52011-05-05 13:30:08

Everything was wonderful

#62025-11-14

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

#72026-05-11

Everthing was excellent

#82010-10-27 13:58:55

Please send out paperwork in advance for pediatric patients

#92025-08-19

everything was fine

#102011-02-24 15:01:34

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