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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 definitely has a wonderful bedside manner, so unexpected when a woman my age is dealing with aging vanity issues.

#12026-05-24

How great the Doctor was

#22025-12-08

Dr took time to answer all my questions.

#32026-06-16

Everyone was very attentive and helpful.

#42026-05-07

the professionalism and everyone made me feel comfortable.

#52025-07-21

it was a good experience and the music was excellent!

#62026-06-10

Dr. Ringpfeil was my second opinion and I felt much more at ease with the time she took to understand my issues and explanation for solutions.

#72011-01-04 09:06:32

every one was extremely friendly and helpful, loved the doctor

#82025-07-24

Everything was good. I like this place.

#92026-03-08

Thought Dr. Ringpfeil was very nice and professional!

#102025-12-31

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What can we do better?

(answers:373)

keep on doing excellent customer service skills

#12025-11-24

My only complaint is that I work and live (1 mile from) Center City, PA and I wish the office (Dr. Ringpfield) had weekend or later hours. Dr. Heckman was great but she cannot assist me with my cosmetic issues. Overall - like the office and professionalism.

#22011-08-10 18:44:27

This has been one the best office that i have been to in forever.

#32025-10-16

I have a suggestion: I noticed that two of the lovely rugs pose hazards to patients using walkers or who may have other mobility issues. The large rug placed at an angle and the narrow rug placed in front of the reception desk leave no room for these individuals to safely manuveur around the reception area and are likely to contribute to fall risks. I would suggest leaving these areas clear.

#42010-10-04 12:14:56

coffee in waiting room

#52011-12-14 11:20:21

don't change a thing, you guys are the best! Please send me Real Estate Referrals, thanks

#62010-09-30 09:51:55

Everything was very clean and I cannot think of much you could do better.

#72025-08-26

move closer to home

#82010-11-08 09:51:29

maybe offering a bit more evaluation of options -that I haven't already thought of or asked about- for skin care and amelioration, as I am not certain what exists

#92026-06-06

Please send out paperwork in advance for pediatric patients

#102026-05-13

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Customer Rating : 4.7

Based on 637 ratings