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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 doctor's way of explaning everything.

#12026-05-31

I have been to a number of derm docs....often it seems as though they have you try this or that but never seem to have a clear plan as to how they will treat ALL of the issues at hand. Thank you for taking the time to address each one of my concerns.

#22025-11-27

I felt at ease and well informed.

#32011-01-27 16:47:12

The doctor made me feel very comfortable when I was asking questions.

#42026-03-12

dr and med asst. made me very comfortable instead of the traditional white coat syndrome

#52011-06-02 13:39:55

Beautiful offfice. Doctor was thorough but quick, which was great

#62011-04-04 11:16:27

The time spent with the doctor....I always feel she cares and will take the time with you.

#72026-01-23

no waiting

#82025-08-04

Appt hours are great for early morning. Great staff!

#92026-03-28

Took the time to diagnose the issue and once diagnosed, layed out my options and throughly explained everything.

#102011-05-20 16:26:57

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What can we do better?

(answers:373)

Everything was wonderful - no complaints at all!

#12026-01-26

Nothing that I could think of would be better.

#22025-08-28

You often have a long wait time in the room for the doctor. When she does come in it is not for a very long time.

#32010-08-23 17:00:56

keep up the good work. you have an excellent service and your office is great

#42025-08-18

The entire visit was just perfect so I had no suggestions at this time.

#52010-10-05 12:14:11

website access to new patients more visable on site

#62025-09-05

Today I had to wait 45 min. to see the Doctor. I understand that sometimes other appointments run over but I took time off work to come here and I felt like I spent most of my time here waiting to see her.

#72026-07-01

I think that you should just mkae the vists a little bit quicker, and thats all.

#82010-10-27 08:46:34

Coffee, Tea? only kidding. Hope I gave the reader a smile today.

#92011-02-21 10:56:55

There was some wait between my initial interview with the medical assistantand my meeting the physician. This wait could have been shorter.

#102026-06-22

see more patient answers >>