How much sodium tetradecyl sulfate in the body is safe?

I have numerous visible blue veins on chest, arms, hips and legs. My sclerotherapist said these can all be injected with sclerosant in one day. Is it safe to have that much slerosant in my body at once? Also, I am battling thinning hair. Could that make it worse?

Answers from doctors (12)


Vein Clinic of North Carolina

Published on Dec 26, 2012

It depends on the concentration used, which is typically determined by the vein's size. It is
usually clinician preference as to what the concentration will be.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/1172_1408044089.jpg
Answered by Vein Clinic of North Carolina

It depends on the concentration used, which is typically determined by the vein's size. It is
usually clinician preference as to what the concentration will be.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Ozark Regional Vein Center

Published on Dec 26, 2012

Opinions vary about the safe amount of sclerosant that can be used during the procedure. It is pretty harmless though. If using very dilute strengths, fairly large volumes can safely be given. I doubt the sclerosant has anything to do with the hair loss.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/1075_1499983011.jpg
Answered by Ozark Regional Vein Center

Opinions vary about the safe amount of sclerosant that can be used during the procedure. It is pretty harmless though. If using very dilute strengths, fairly large volumes can safely be given. I doubt the sclerosant has anything to do with the hair loss.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


North Shore Vein Center

Published on Dec 26, 2012

It depends on the concentration of sclerosant your practitioner is using. Generally, we don't go over 10 cc's per session. That sounds like a lot to cover in one session, but it depends on how densely populated the areas appear.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/1044_1410305618.jpg
Answered by North Shore Vein Center

It depends on the concentration of sclerosant your practitioner is using. Generally, we don't go over 10 cc's per session. That sounds like a lot to cover in one session, but it depends on how densely populated the areas appear.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Treatment and Aesthetic Center

Published on Dec 20, 2012

Sclerosant injections will not affect your hair. The amount of sclerosant injected depends a great deal upon the size of the veins being treated and the concentration of the solution. Large veins require a higher concentration than smaller veins. The doctor treating you will be able to determine how much of the solution should be used. Foam sclerotherapy requires much less solution, but only small amounts can be used during a treatment session. Again, this is all determined by the doctor.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/1433_1408044095.jpg
Answered by Vein Treatment and Aesthetic Center

Sclerosant injections will not affect your hair. The amount of sclerosant injected depends a great deal upon the size of the veins being treated and the concentration of the solution. Large veins require a higher concentration than smaller veins. The doctor treating you will be able to determine how much of the solution should be used. Foam sclerotherapy requires much less solution, but only small amounts can be used during a treatment session. Again, this is all determined by the doctor.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Americas Vein Centers - Southborough

Published on Dec 14, 2012

We would need to know total dose considered, and there should be no affect on
thinning hair.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/713_1408044075.jpg
Answered by Americas Vein Centers - Southborough

We would need to know total dose considered, and there should be no affect on
thinning hair.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Dec 11, 2012

I generally limit my injections to 30cc of 0.2 percent in a session, but I suspect that more is acceptable. See your provider or check the package inserts.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/922_1408044082.jpg
Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

I generally limit my injections to 30cc of 0.2 percent in a session, but I suspect that more is acceptable. See your provider or check the package inserts.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Intermountain Vein Center

Published on Dec 10, 2012

Usually 20cc of sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS) is considered safe for the body in one session. With small reticular veins like yours, 20cc can treat many veins. I have never heard or read any research that indicates STS can be related to the thinning of hair. With the veins on the legs, did you have an ultrasound to determine if there were other veins that could be causing the veins in your legs?

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/1153_1408044089.jpg
Answered by Intermountain Vein Center

Usually 20cc of sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS) is considered safe for the body in one session. With small reticular veins like yours, 20cc can treat many veins. I have never heard or read any research that indicates STS can be related to the thinning of hair. With the veins on the legs, did you have an ultrasound to determine if there were other veins that could be causing the veins in your legs?

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Smith Vein Institute, LLC

Published on Dec 10, 2012

There is a recommended volume which I'm sure your physician will be adhering to. I suspect he/she will be using foamed STS rather than liquid. Without seeing your veins it's hard to say, but treating the areas you are talking about doesn't seem unreasonable.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/1132_1499985841.jpg
Answered by Smith Vein Institute, LLC

There is a recommended volume which I'm sure your physician will be adhering to. I suspect he/she will be using foamed STS rather than liquid. Without seeing your veins it's hard to say, but treating the areas you are talking about doesn't seem unreasonable.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Heart and Vein Center

Published on Dec 10, 2012

It is difficult to say how much of the solution you will have injected. It will also depend on the concentration used for each body part. I would be concerned with allergic reaction if the volume is high.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/923_1408044082.jpg
Answered by Heart and Vein Center

It is difficult to say how much of the solution you will have injected. It will also depend on the concentration used for each body part. I would be concerned with allergic reaction if the volume is high.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialists

Published on Dec 10, 2012

There are acceptable volumes of sclerosant. I would inquire as to other, newer sclerosants as well. Polidocanol has been FDA approved for several years and is more widely used by vein specialists.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/740_1408044075.jpg
Answered by Vein Specialists

There are acceptable volumes of sclerosant. I would inquire as to other, newer sclerosants as well. Polidocanol has been FDA approved for several years and is more widely used by vein specialists.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Arizona Vein Specialists

Published on Dec 10, 2012

Generally, 10 cc of a 0.2% or 4cc of 0.5% is safe. The total number of veins and how thorough the treatment is the factor. The expertise of your sclerotherapist is also critical, as is your body weight.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/1365_1408044094.jpg
Answered by Arizona Vein Specialists

Generally, 10 cc of a 0.2% or 4cc of 0.5% is safe. The total number of veins and how thorough the treatment is the factor. The expertise of your sclerotherapist is also critical, as is your body weight.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Dec 10, 2012

STS will not affect hair thinning. All solutions injected have a limit as to the amount that can be used, but this depends on many factors including size of veins injected, concentration used, foam versus liquid and location of veins. Your sclerotherapist should be aware of all of these factors and make a decision based on this.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/1053_1499982262.jpg
Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

STS will not affect hair thinning. All solutions injected have a limit as to the amount that can be used, but this depends on many factors including size of veins injected, concentration used, foam versus liquid and location of veins. Your sclerotherapist should be aware of all of these factors and make a decision based on this.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Related Questions for Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy -11 answers
How long does it take to see spider veins vanish after Sclerotherapy? Is there any hope the veins will disappear after more time has gone by?
See More
Sclerotherapy -12 answers
I have a lot of green veins on my legs, calves, even my arms and other parts of my body. Are those on my legs reticular veins, or could they be normal veins? They are very obvious. I never had them until my pregnancy last year. I have delivered 1 year ago.
See More
Sclerotherapy -10 answers
Why is it necessary to wear Compression Stockings after Sclerotherapy?
See More
Sclerotherapy -10 answers
I had 6 treatments of sclerotherappy one week apart. Much of the treatments were injecting "feeders". It's been over 2 months since my first treatment and my veins look worse. I have new quite dark veins that have popped up. What happened?
See More
Sclerotherapy -9 answers
Will the length of time be longer then two weeks?
See More
Sclerotherapy -10 answers
It has been 8 weeks since I had spider and 1 surface blue vein injected by vein surgeon. I still have black blue spots and the surface vein looks worse, will this correct itself or do i need more treatments/ new doc??
See More
Sclerotherapy -11 answers
I had a sclerotherapy treatment, but instead of being prescribed compression stockings, my doctor advised me to use an elastic bandage. Is the bandage just as effective as compression stockings?
See More
Sclerotherapy -12 answers
What chemicals are in the saline solution and does it have mercury in it and if not what is in it? what are the side effects if any.
See More
Sclerotherapy -4 answers
I recently just noticed that all of my veins are visible all over my body, including a few in the chest area....is this normal? I'm currently on Accutane too.
See More
Sclerotherapy -9 answers
How long after Sclerotherapy can you get in the sun?
See More
Get answers from our experienced doctors.
How it works
Sclerotherapy -11 answers
I just had the sclerotherapy procedure today. I would love to cut off the feet of my compression stockings. I feel like it would be much more comfortable. Would that defeat the purpose?
See More
Sclerotherapy -6 answers
How soon after sclerotherapy can I play tennis? run? dance?
See More
Sclerotherapy -9 answers
After sclerotherapy, there is a small section that is lumpy and discolored. My treating pysician does not drain these, is there any way to speed up the healing/fading of pigmentation?
See More
Sclerotherapy -9 answers
I hade sclerotherapy yesterday, but I can still see a few of the veins that were treated. How long until all the veins disappear?
See More
Sclerotherapy -13 answers
I've heard that occasionally, small lumps of clotted blood can be felt after sclerotherapy. Aren't blood clots quite dangerous?
See More
Sclerotherapy -10 answers
Will running short distances, say 2-4 miles three times per week, be of detriment to sclerotherapy procedures? What about medium distance hikes of 5-10 miles that include hills?
See More
Sclerotherapy -11 answers
Can you go in a hot tub after sclerotherapy and how long do you have to wear the stocking for?
See More
Sclerotherapy -11 answers
I had sclerotherapy almost 4 weeks ago. My legs now ache and feel heavy as soon as I get up in the morning. I have been wearing support knee highs. How long should this last? Legs didn't feel this way before sclerotherapy.
See More
Sclerotherapy -6 answers
Would I see the results right away after Sclerotherapy treatment? If not, when wil the bruises go away? Is it normal to still see all my treated veins after 10 days?
See More
Sclerotherapy -13 answers
I had a sclerotherapy procedure for spider veins on lateral upper thigh just over two weeks ago at derm dr. Since that time, have noticed an approx. 1" wide area of tons of tiny new vessels just distal to injection sites. How long before this goes away?
See More
Get answers from our experienced doctors.
How it works

Related Articles

Have specific questions?
ASK A DOCTOR