Are bruising and darker veins normal sclerotherapy results?

I have done my first sclerotherapy treatment two weeks ago. I have healed from most bruising but I feel that the veins are now darker and more visible. Is that normal? I had to be in the sun recently, but used a lot of sunscreen and covered my legs with a long skirt.

Answers from doctors (25)


The Vascular Institute at Teton Radiology

Published on Oct 18, 2012

The larger veins can "bronze" after treatment, this occurs when the trapped blood stains the skin with iron products. It goes away with time. This may be what is happening. Sometimes the trapped blood can be expressed through small needle pokes which decreases the bronzing. If the dark look is in the smaller spider veins, you may just need more healing time. It takes usuallly 30 days for the body to reabsorb small amounts of blood after the injections. Have your legs checked by the physician's office who performed your treatment.

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Answered by The Vascular Institute at Teton Radiology

The larger veins can "bronze" after treatment, this occurs when the trapped blood stains the skin with iron products. It goes away with time. This may be what is happening. Sometimes the trapped blood can be expressed through small needle pokes which decreases the bronzing. If the dark look is in the smaller spider veins, you may just need more healing time. It takes usuallly 30 days for the body to reabsorb small amounts of blood after the injections. Have your legs checked by the physician's office who performed your treatment.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Jul 03, 2012

Veins can appear darker after treatment. That is why we wait at least one month between treatments to allow fading to occur. Sometimes this may be due to trapped blood and removing it will improve the appearance quicker.

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Answered by Advanced Vein Center

Veins can appear darker after treatment. That is why we wait at least one month between treatments to allow fading to occur. Sometimes this may be due to trapped blood and removing it will improve the appearance quicker.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


American Access Care

Published on Jul 03, 2012

You may have some superficial thrombosis that needs to be drained. This happens commonly after sclerotherapy.

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Answered by American Access Care

You may have some superficial thrombosis that needs to be drained. This happens commonly after sclerotherapy.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Sutton Place Laser Vein + Hair Removal

Published on Jul 03, 2012

Of course you should reconsult your physician and be examined, but the veins are always inflamed, appearing in the first week or two after sclerotherapy and often look worse before they improve. That is not unusual. Do see the treating doctor to be sure nothing else is amiss.

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Answered by Sutton Place Laser Vein + Hair Removal

Of course you should reconsult your physician and be examined, but the veins are always inflamed, appearing in the first week or two after sclerotherapy and often look worse before they improve. That is not unusual. Do see the treating doctor to be sure nothing else is amiss.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Pacific Vein Centers

Published on Jul 03, 2012

You probably have some blood trapped in the treated veins. This will almost always slowly disappear.

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Answered by Pacific Vein Centers

You probably have some blood trapped in the treated veins. This will almost always slowly disappear.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Baltimore Vascular Care

Published on Jul 03, 2012

It sounds like you are having a completely normal response for two weeks post sclerotherapy treatment. It can take 6-8 weeks and sometimes even longer for the spider veins and dark spots to fade following treatment. Keep in mind, the spider veins treated will not all fade following a single treatment. Three to six treatments are needed in order to obtain the best results. Staying out of the sun is extremely important until all darkening in the treated areas has resolved. Otherwise, darkened areas may last even longer.

Answered by Baltimore Vascular Care (View Profile)

It sounds like you are having a completely normal response for two weeks post sclerotherapy treatment. It can take 6-8 weeks and sometimes even longer for the spider veins and dark spots to fade following treatment. Keep in mind, the spider veins treated will not all fade following a single treatment. Three to six treatments are needed in order to obtain the best results. Staying out of the sun is extremely important until all darkening in the treated areas has resolved. Otherwise, darkened areas may last even longer.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Coastal Vein Institute & Aesthetic Center

Published on Jul 03, 2012

Yes, they always turn darker before they begin to fade post treatment. You should hope to see results 4-6 weeks post treatment, sometimes longer.

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Answered by Coastal Vein Institute & Aesthetic Center

Yes, they always turn darker before they begin to fade post treatment. You should hope to see results 4-6 weeks post treatment, sometimes longer.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center of Orange County

Published on Jul 03, 2012

It is normal for successfully treated veins to temporarily appear darker than before treatment. Larger veins get darker and take longer to fade. If a vein briefly blanches (disappears) after rubbing over it with your
finger, it did not respond and needs further treatment; if a vein persists with this maneuver, it is done and will fade in time.

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Answered by Vein Center of Orange County

It is normal for successfully treated veins to temporarily appear darker than before treatment. Larger veins get darker and take longer to fade. If a vein briefly blanches (disappears) after rubbing over it with your
finger, it did not respond and needs further treatment; if a vein persists with this maneuver, it is done and will fade in time.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


The Vein Clinic

Published on Jul 03, 2012

Yes, it is! Many of the veins that now look 'worse' will begin to fade over the next 1-2 months.You are watching the early stages of Sclerotherapy - and its often not pretty in the beginning!

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Answered by The Vein Clinic

Yes, it is! Many of the veins that now look 'worse' will begin to fade over the next 1-2 months.You are watching the early stages of Sclerotherapy - and its often not pretty in the beginning!

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Americas Vein Centers - Rhode Island

Published on Jul 03, 2012

This is normal and will be fade.

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Answered by Americas Vein Centers - Rhode Island

This is normal and will be fade.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Jul 03, 2012

More pigmentation is common for a few months after injection. See your MD for questions about post-treatment issues.

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

More pigmentation is common for a few months after injection. See your MD for questions about post-treatment issues.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Smith Vein Institute, LLC

Published on Jul 03, 2012

Without seeing your legs it is difficult to answer your question. That being said, however, it may be that you have trapped blood in your vessels. If so, you should go back to your doctor, as it may be possible to remove the trapped blood. Even if it can no longer be removed, the body will still eventually clear the vein, but it will take a while.

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Answered by Smith Vein Institute, LLC

Without seeing your legs it is difficult to answer your question. That being said, however, it may be that you have trapped blood in your vessels. If so, you should go back to your doctor, as it may be possible to remove the trapped blood. Even if it can no longer be removed, the body will still eventually clear the vein, but it will take a while.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Jul 03, 2012

In our practice we spend a lot of time with our patients so they will know what to expect at each treatment. We explain that an average area of veins can take 3-5 treatments, that veins can look worse before they begin to look better, and that there may not be too much clearing after the first or even second treatment. This is variable. Yes, they can look darker. Kudos to you for using strong sun protection. Whenever your skin integrity has been compromised (by injection/laser) you increase the chance of hyper-pigmentation in those areas if exposed to the sun. If you are having the follow-up treatment, continue to do so. We also recommend a follow up treatment at around 4 weeks to ensure all the veins (especially the deeper feeder veins) are sealed. If not, we re-inject. At this stage, we see patients in 6-8 weeks or in the fall when it cools down.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

In our practice we spend a lot of time with our patients so they will know what to expect at each treatment. We explain that an average area of veins can take 3-5 treatments, that veins can look worse before they begin to look better, and that there may not be too much clearing after the first or even second treatment. This is variable. Yes, they can look darker. Kudos to you for using strong sun protection. Whenever your skin integrity has been compromised (by injection/laser) you increase the chance of hyper-pigmentation in those areas if exposed to the sun. If you are having the follow-up treatment, continue to do so. We also recommend a follow up treatment at around 4 weeks to ensure all the veins (especially the deeper feeder veins) are sealed. If not, we re-inject. At this stage, we see patients in 6-8 weeks or in the fall when it cools down.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Veins etc. at Comprehensive Cardiovascular Consultants

Published on Jul 03, 2012

Yes, it may happen. As the veins close, they trap some blood inside and may look darker. As long as they do not blanch on compression, they are closed.

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Answered by Veins etc. at Comprehensive Cardiovascular Consultants

Yes, it may happen. As the veins close, they trap some blood inside and may look darker. As long as they do not blanch on compression, they are closed.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Published on Jul 03, 2012

It usually takes 4-5 weeks to see the full effect of sclerotherapy.

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Answered by Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

It usually takes 4-5 weeks to see the full effect of sclerotherapy.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialty Medical Clinic, Inc.

Published on Jul 03, 2012

With the information in your question, it is very difficult to give you an exact answer to your inquiry. You may have trapped blood or may need more treatment. Without pertinent patient history and evaluating your legs in person, we are not able to say what is normal or not. Please follow up with your physician.

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Answered by Vein Specialty Medical Clinic, Inc.

With the information in your question, it is very difficult to give you an exact answer to your inquiry. You may have trapped blood or may need more treatment. Without pertinent patient history and evaluating your legs in person, we are not able to say what is normal or not. Please follow up with your physician.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Typically, the veins will get darker before disappearing. You may not see your full results for up to a month or so.

Answered by North Country Thoracic & Vascular (View Profile)

Typically, the veins will get darker before disappearing. You may not see your full results for up to a month or so.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Atlanta Access Care Vascular and Interventional Specialists

Published on Jul 03, 2012

Depending on skin tone, the veins can appear darker after treatment. This may fade with time. Its best to have the physician who did the sclerotherapy examine the result, and advise on whether to proceed with further treatment.

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Answered by Atlanta Access Care Vascular and Interventional Specialists

Depending on skin tone, the veins can appear darker after treatment. This may fade with time. Its best to have the physician who did the sclerotherapy examine the result, and advise on whether to proceed with further treatment.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Physicians Vein Clinics - Sioux Falls

Published on Jul 03, 2012

This can be very normal as sometimes blood can get caught in the treated veins and they will appear darker for a while. I would recommend that you see the physician that injected your veins for evaluation, as it may
be worth removing the trapped blood from the veins to avoid staining the skin.

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Answered by Physicians Vein Clinics - Sioux Falls

This can be very normal as sometimes blood can get caught in the treated veins and they will appear darker for a while. I would recommend that you see the physician that injected your veins for evaluation, as it may
be worth removing the trapped blood from the veins to avoid staining the skin.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Heart and Vein Center

Published on Jul 03, 2012

It is very common for the veins to be darker and more noticeable for the first 4-6 weeks after sclerotherapy.

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Answered by Heart and Vein Center

It is very common for the veins to be darker and more noticeable for the first 4-6 weeks after sclerotherapy.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Angelo N. Makris MD

Published on Jul 03, 2012

This is not unusual.

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Answered by Angelo N. Makris MD

This is not unusual.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


The Vein Treatment Center

Published on May 15, 2012

We suggest that you go back to your health care provider and have it checked. Most of the time with sclerotherapy, one can get "trapped blood" when the vein closes, and ideally needs to be removed via microthrombectomy. We also suggest that you avoid the sun during this process so the body can heal nicely.

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Answered by The Vein Treatment Center

We suggest that you go back to your health care provider and have it checked. Most of the time with sclerotherapy, one can get "trapped blood" when the vein closes, and ideally needs to be removed via microthrombectomy. We also suggest that you avoid the sun during this process so the body can heal nicely.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Intermountain Vein Center

Published on May 14, 2012

The darker appearance is from the sclerotherapy treatment. It's just temporary staining of the veins, and it will eventually disappear. It may take a few weeks to a few months before the staining will disappear completely.

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Answered by Intermountain Vein Center

The darker appearance is from the sclerotherapy treatment. It's just temporary staining of the veins, and it will eventually disappear. It may take a few weeks to a few months before the staining will disappear completely.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Austin Vein Specialists

Published on May 08, 2012

Yes, this is normal. Although the veins are likely "dead" from the treatment, it may take several weeks for them to fade away as they are absorbed by your body. Be patient, and the darkening and visibility should resolve over time.

Answered by Austin Vein Specialists (View Profile)

Yes, this is normal. Although the veins are likely "dead" from the treatment, it may take several weeks for them to fade away as they are absorbed by your body. Be patient, and the darkening and visibility should resolve over time.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on May 07, 2012

This is normal. Following sclerotherapy, veins usually look worse before they look better. It takes 4 to 6 weeks for healing post sclerotherapy. You should avoid sun exposure for at least 2 weeks after sclerotherapy.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

This is normal. Following sclerotherapy, veins usually look worse before they look better. It takes 4 to 6 weeks for healing post sclerotherapy. You should avoid sun exposure for at least 2 weeks after sclerotherapy.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

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