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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)

Minimal waiting time. So friendly and professional!!

#12012-10-01 11:08:39

I thought the waiting room was very nice and all the employees were very kind and took their time during the appointment. Our last dernatologist that we visited for the first time made us wait an hour and a halve for a five minute appoitment.....so we were pretty happy this time!

#22026-02-10

Dr. Ringpfeil is wonderful. I must say i've visited various dermatologist in the past and this is the first doctor that has touched my face. Very important to me so that was big believe it or not. Also very easy to talk to and you dont feel rushed.She explains well. i'm very satisfied with my visit.

#32025-10-06

Didn't feel rushed like most doctor's offices

#42011-04-12 08:58:12

very comfortable, but classy environment. Gave the feeling that the practice was upscale and therefore service would be quality

#52011-12-22 16:04:37

The doctor was very thorough.

#62025-10-03

the whole experience

#72026-03-13

Everyone is extremely nice and professional. I like the fact that the office is utilizing technology for things such as consent forms and patient information forms rather than paper. Good for the environment!

#82010-12-01 12:08:05

Dr. Ringpfeil took her time and was attentive to my concerns. Writing all options on paper was very helpful and will help me when I start my regimen

#92025-12-27

Friendliness of the receptionist and Dr. Ringpfeil's expertise

#102025-11-09

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What can we do better?

(answers:373)

i was completely satisfies with everything and everyone. Even my lateness was not held against me.

#12026-06-16

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.

#22025-07-08

It was a very good visit! Thank You!

#32025-11-12

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.

#42011-08-10 18:44:27

Everything was well above my expecatations.

#52025-08-22

My experience in the office today was absolutely excellent

#62025-11-20

Nothing I can think of

#72026-01-03

I am new here, so I don't have any suggestions at this time

#82026-04-07

more availability for appointments.

#92025-08-31

Everything was perfect today