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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)

computerized medical record

#12026-05-16

THE DOCTOR WAS GREAT. REALLY EXPLAINED THINGS WELL AND LISTENED TO MY CONCERNS.

#22025-08-17

EVERY ONE WAS REALY NICE

#32026-05-21

Dr made eye contact and listened to my concerns....

#42025-08-25

The entire staff was very attentive.

#52025-07-20

Staff professionalism,crisp action,friendly engagement,and a well designed entry area.

#62011-09-21 17:08:06

I liked the staff, the office, decor, music and the overall atmosphere. I felt comfortable. I will definitely recommened this practice in the future.

#72026-05-09

Everyone staff, doctor and assistant, were very nice and helpful.

#82026-04-07

The Dr treated me as a Person, not a commodity. She talked to me so I could understand what needed to be done and what possible courses of actions needed to be taken. I enjoyed the fact that the Dr. took time to listen to me & took action considering my desires as well.

#92025-12-02

I felt at ease and well informed.

#102011-01-27 16:47:12

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What can we do better?

(answers:373)

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

#12025-12-28

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

#22025-10-27

I had problems with my insurance. Since you took my insurance information over the phone it might have been nice to know that before I came in so I could have fixed it.

#32011-05-19 10:14:50

Nothing that I could think of would be better.

#42026-02-02

I would like to get in with the doctor. I also would like more than one option presented to me. Also, it would be nice to be offered more natural alternatives, or integrative treatments.

#52011-08-10 15:47:37

Can't think of a way to better your service; it was excellent.

#62026-02-05

Be on time for our appointments

#72011-11-16 13:56:14

I was very pleased!!

#82026-03-24

Don't change a thing

#92010-12-14 13:17:28

Shorter wait, but not much else.

#102026-04-23

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