rad@ringpfeildermatology.com 610.525.5250

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 and staff are superb.

#12011-11-03 14:52:47

Dr. Ringpfeil was very friendly & took time to answer all my questions. Very attentive & knowledgable!

#22026-01-29

The knowledge, helpfulness, and friendliness of every person in this office has made me decide to have my daughter and me be seen here instead of by a doctor in the area in which we live (more than half an hour away). Thank you.

#32026-03-01

I admired the advanced technology used by the office. I am all for the use of technology.

#42011-05-05 10:59:36

Loved the office decor. the soothing music. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. Great experience.

#52011-12-05 10:22:59

All was extraordinary, compared to most doctor's offices. However, the doctor's explanation of the condition was particularly outstanding.

#62011-09-28 14:40:16

Linda was very informative, very responsive to my questions. I felt very comfortable with her advice

#72011-05-26 10:18:40

The medical assistant was very helpful.

#82025-08-30

Linda was very thorough and took time with me rather than rush me like she couldn't wait to get to the next patient. I've had that experience before so I appreciated that.

#92011-06-02 14:59:00

I was very impressed that Dr. Ringpfeil took the time out to talk to me and treat me like an individual. I am completely comfotable here and I will be coming here for my treatment.

#102011-05-04 14:47:50

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What can we do better?

(answers:373)

keep doing what u doing keep up the good work!!!!

#12025-12-20

Can't think of a thing

#22025-09-21

N/A. Everything was great!

#32026-01-12

So far so good!

#42011-01-04 10:23:13

you are the best!

#52011-08-10 10:32:44

Provide some written information for questions asked. I can't remember everything said.

#62026-05-08

I'm speechless!! I make a living at answering this very question but I can't recommend anything you can do to provide better service. You deserve a high score in all aspects of the practice. One minor detail - I have not yet seen the aesthetician and I have limited experience with you. Maybe patients could complete a survey after they've had a couple of appointments and contact with others. Some valuable feedback may be provided. Oops....I just heard an administrator use the word "cancellation" with a patient. May I suggest other terms like "change in the schedule" or "we'll make time for you". Wouldn't want to give patients the idea that it's ok to cancel. :-) Can you recommend a vascular specialist closer to the area than in Center City?

#72011-06-02 14:18:32

The only (minor) thing that I was disappointed in was that when I booked the appt. via phone, I was told that in addition to my cosmetic questions and consult, the Dr. would also be able to do my full body check. It turned out that there was not enough time to do both.

#82011-07-27 15:04:39

Evening hours

#92025-11-14

Be on time for our appointments

#102011-11-16 13:56:14

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Customer Rating : 4.7

Based on 637 ratings