Frequently Asked Questions

Medication such as Ibuprofen especially right after sclerotherapy can protect your veins from the treatment. These medications should be stopped a week or more before your treatment and not started back for 3 or more days after the sclerotherapy.

Sclerotherapy involves injections with very tiny needles. For cosmetic sclerotherapy these are the same size we use for our Botox® injections and are about the size of a very tiny wire. A break in your skin will need to heal. Showering the morning of your appointment with antibacterial soap is a good idea.

Several days before your visit it is a good idea not to cream or lotion your legs. Cream and lotion contains many substances. When the needle passes through your skin during sclerotherapy, the lotion can be injected under the skin. This generally is not harmful just more irritating and can cause tiny red bumps that persist for several weeks after the procedure.

We will prepare your skin with alcohol based solution and fresh shaving scratches can be uncomfortable. No one at re*be will be offended by a day or two of leg hair growth.

After sclerotherapy, if you compress the veins the treatment is more effective. Firm support stockings should be worn for two weeks after the procedure. Those of us at re*be prefer to use thigh high or panty hose prescription strength (Class II 30-40 mmHg). We will try to sell you a pair if you do not already have some. The non-prescription socks will work but the compression is not as complete. If you are planning on several sclerotherapy sessions, owning a pair of compression stockings is a good investment. There are some medical conditions that sclerotherapy with foam may not be a good idea.

Several days after your visit it is a good idea not to cream or lotion your legs. Cream and lotion contains many substances. When the tiny scabs over the needle pokes come off, creams and lotions can then be safely applied. This well usually be 2-5 days.

After the procedure, we will have you walk for 20 minutes. Walking with support stockings on works well for minor pain too. Medication such as Ibuprofen will not be a good idea for the first three days after the procedure. These compounds can actually protect the veins from the sclerotherapy and reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.

After sclerotherapy if you compress the veins the treatment is more effective. Firm support stockings should be worn when walking for two weeks after the procedure. Walking is good for you, helps with the pain and may reduce swelling somewhat.

After sclerotherapy, staining of your skin from the breakdown of the blood and treated veins produce iron oxide. Iron oxide is commonly known as rust and is a brown color. Sun damage can cause staining of your skin like a tattoo with the iron oxide. Sun damage causes numerous other health problems and should be avoided for those reasons as well. Sun tanning after the bruising, redness and discoloration from the treatment is resolved will be less likely to cause staining. Spray tan or cream lotion tanning is not a problem once the needle pokes have healed.

After sclerotherapy, alcohol will dilate the veins. If blood flow is not stopped in the veins, they will return. Alcohol is not recommended for this reason. This recommendation should be followed for at least the two weeks the socks are warn. Alcohol is bad for you anyway for many other reasons.

After sclerotherapy, warm water will dilate the veins. If blood flow is not stopped in the veins, they will return. Cooler than normal shower is recommended for this reason. This recommendation should be followed for the two weeks the socks are warn.

The sclerotherapy medication is irritating and is designed to be that way. It is normal to get hive-like swelling in the area around the injections sites. These hives usually clear within hours and are much less irritating as soon as your compression socks are on. Treated veins close to the surface of your skin also will get red. This clears with time but can take several weeks.

Sclerotherapy clots the vein and this causes lumps. These lumps can be tender and can get red. They also can appear out of nowhere even several weeks after a sclerotherapy session. The lumps generally resolve over weeks to months. If they are very uncomfortable or the skin over the lump swells, turns black or gets shiny draining the lump can be necessary.

Some of your injection sites will develop bruising. This is normal and does not indicate a problem. It will be more intense and the bruises bigger if you are taking aspirin or ibuprofen or some other blood thinner. Bruising should generally clear in 2-3 weeks or less.

Swelling after cosmetic sclerotherapy should resolve quickly. The swelling also should be around the immediate area of the treated veins. Swelling that involves the entire foot, calf or ankle is not normal and could indicate a deep blood clot. Deep clots are dangerous and should be checked by a Doctor.

Sclerotherapy for cosmetic purposes is very effective, in some cases 80% of the vessels treated will go away. Not all the treated vessels will go away and follow up sessions are necessary for further clearing of any unwanted veins.