Sclerotherapy

Spider veins are primarily an aesthetic problem. These thin, cobweb-like veins, which appear bluish or reddish through the skin, are usually painless and do not cause any other physical discomfort. These cosmetically disturbing veins on the legs, which are particularly common in women, have various causes. The reasons lie in venous weakness, which leads to blood backflow.

Their occurrence can be genetic, but in many cases is triggered by risk factors such as standing or sedentary activities, hormonal fluctuations, pregnancy, obesity and a general lack of exercise.

A proven treatment for these small veins is sclerotherapy. It is minimally invasive yet effective. But how exactly does sclerotherapy work, who is it suitable for, and what should be considered during follow-up treatment?

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Duration of treatment

15 -45 minutes

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season

all year round

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Cost

From 250.-

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Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure for treating or eliminating spider veins. A sclerosing agent (a special medication for obliterating blood vessels) is injected directly into the affected veins, thereby stopping blood flow.

This leads to a natural reduction of the spider veins. The surrounding tissue remains unharmed and blood circulation is unaffected.

What is sclerotherapy and how does it work to remove spider veins?

Sclerotherapy is performed in several simple steps and follows common quality standards as follows:

1. History, clarification and examination

After diagnosis, a doctor will review the patient's medical history, examine the spider veins, and clarify exclusion criteria. The assessment is primarily performed through a visual inspection of the affected skin areas.

2.Information session

During this consultation, risks, alternatives, costs and the individual treatment plan will be discussed.

3.Treatment

The affected areas of skin are disinfected and prepared using a sterile procedure. A doctor then injects the sclerosing agent directly into the veins using a fine needle. A slight stinging or burning sensation may occur. Effective removal of spider veins typically requires three sessions. Each session lasts approximately 15-30 minutes.

4.After treatment

The patient stays in the practice for a few minutes for monitoring and can then leave. Immediately after the treatment, a 30-minute walk is recommended to stimulate circulation.

How does sclerotherapy for spider vein removal work at DERM ART in Winterthur?

What are the risks and side effects of sclerotherapy for spider vein removal?

This treatment for removing spider veins is considered a safe method with good cosmetic results in the long term, especially compared to alternatives. However, this is only possible when performed by specialists. There are possible side effects, which the patient is informed about in advance. In general, the likelihood of side effects is significantly reduced with proper treatment.

Skin discoloration

Eine der häufigsten Nebenwirkungen sind braune oder bläuliche Verfärbungen entlang der behandelten Äderchen. Diese entstehen durch den Abbau von Blutbestandteilen im umliegenden Gewebe. Normalerweise verschwinden diese Pigmentierungen innerhalb von sechs bis zwölf Monaten von selbst.

Inflammatory reactions

Normal inflammatory reactions such as redness, swelling, or a slight burning sensation at the injection site usually subside after a few days. In rare cases, superficial phlebitis may occur. These symptoms can usually be treated effectively with anti-inflammatory ointments, cooling, and compression.

Allergic reactions

Das verwendete Mittel zur Verödung gilt als gut verträglich, dennoch kann es in seltenen Fällen zu allergischen Reaktionen wie Juckreiz, Quaddeln oder Kreislaufreaktionen kommen. Schwere allergische Reaktionen sind extrem selten, aber theoretisch möglich. Genau deshalb legen Fachärzte im Vorfeld Wert auf eine sorgfältige Anamnese bezüglich Medikamentenallergien und Vorerkrankungen.

Matting

After sclerotherapy, new, very fine, reddish veins may form in the treated area. This matting is primarily a cosmetic problem and disrupts the skin's appearance. However, it can resolve on its own or can be treated again if necessary.

Thrombosis

Thrombosis is very rare and the risk is extremely low. Patients should generally exercise regularly after treatment.

Scars

True scarring is extremely rare after sclerotherapy for spider veins. Instead, temporary brownish pigment changes may occur at the treated areas, which in most cases disappear after a few weeks to months.

What aftercare is important after sclerotherapy to effectively remove spider veins?

Tips for better results

As with most medical treatments, follow-up care is crucial for success and not only supports healing but also leads to better results. Initial results are immediately noticeable, but the final appearance is not apparent until several weeks after the last treatment, as the sclerotherapy takes time to take effect:

Pay attention to movement
Walking is recommended, and prolonged standing or sitting should be avoided. This applies both after treatment and as a preventative measure to avoid new spider veins.

Avoid hot baths and saunas
Avoid saunas or hot baths for about 1-2 weeks; otherwise, there are no restrictions on daily activities after sclerotherapy.

Avoid strong UV radiation
This can promote pigmentation disorders in the skin, so both the solarium and direct sunlight should be avoided for about 4 weeks.

Attend the check-up appointment
After three sessions, a follow-up check is carried out to review the results and discuss possible further treatments for an optimized result.

How much does sclerotherapy to remove spider veins cost, and does health insurance cover the treatment?

The costs of sclerotherapy for spider veins are generally not covered by basic insurance, as it is performed solely for cosmetic reasons. However, it is advisable to clarify whether the treatment costs will be covered in advance.

The prices for sclerotherapy depend on the extent of the treatment and the duration of the sessions.

Costs start at CHF 250. Additional expenses for follow-up examinations or complementary therapies may apply.

1. Is sclerotherapy painful?

Most patients' experience shows that the treatment is not painful. A brief burning sensation may occur during the injection. After the session, the treated areas may feel slightly tight or hardened, which is temporary and will subside quickly.

2. Can spider veins be removed in the summer?

Treatment is also possible in the summer, but cooler months are preferred. After spider vein sclerotherapy, the treated areas should be protected from direct sunlight for several weeks, as UV rays can promote pigment changes in the treated skin areas. In addition, intensive sunbathing can delay healing.

3. Can spider veins come back after sclerotherapy?

Once cauterized, spider veins are broken down by the body. However, new spider veins may appear after removal, especially if there is a genetic predisposition or other risk factors. In this case, however, the treatment can be repeated.

What are the advantages of sclerotherapy through sclerotherapy?

The removal of spider veins by sclerotherapy offers various medical and aesthetic benefits:

The treatment is minimally invasive and requires neither anesthesia nor anaesthesia.
It usually only takes a few minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis.
Everyday activities are usually possible again immediately without pain.
There are very good cosmetic results for spider veins.
The treatment is usually carried out in 3 sessions, but can be repeated if necessary.
It can be performed not only on legs but also on other areas.