I have hyperpigmentation after sclerotherapy, when will the discoloration fade away?

I had sclerotherapy one and a half weeks ago. I went in because there was trapped blood a few days ago. How long will it take for the red line to go away? It is still there. Can't ask my doctor because he left the practice. Don't know the replacement dr.

Answers from doctors (14)


Daniels Vein and Cosmetic Center

Published on Jun 11, 2014

Hi,
Hyperpigmentation can last quite a while and depends upon several factors, including whether any underlying venous abnormality, if present, has been successfully treated.

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Answered by Daniels Vein and Cosmetic Center

Hi,
Hyperpigmentation can last quite a while and depends upon several factors, including whether any underlying venous abnormality, if present, has been successfully treated.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Finesse Surgical Solutions

Published on Jun 09, 2014

I cannot tell without evaluating you in person. I suggest you see another specialist experienced in sclerotherapy. You will need to know what sclerosant agent was used.

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Answered by Finesse Surgical Solutions

I cannot tell without evaluating you in person. I suggest you see another specialist experienced in sclerotherapy. You will need to know what sclerosant agent was used.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Intermountain Vein Center

Published on Jun 09, 2014

Sometimes that pigmentation never goes away, but usually it does. It may take up to 1 yr for it to resolve. I would recommend finding a physician who is accredited by the American College of Phlebology to receive advice and further treatment if necessary. If reticular veins were injected the I would expect staining. If the vein wasn't bulging, but it is not a spider vein but you can see it under the skin, those are reticular veins and usually it is not wise to have those injected be they almost always stain. If that is the case, the doctor should have told you that before he did any injections.

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Answered by Intermountain Vein Center

Sometimes that pigmentation never goes away, but usually it does. It may take up to 1 yr for it to resolve. I would recommend finding a physician who is accredited by the American College of Phlebology to receive advice and further treatment if necessary. If reticular veins were injected the I would expect staining. If the vein wasn't bulging, but it is not a spider vein but you can see it under the skin, those are reticular veins and usually it is not wise to have those injected be they almost always stain. If that is the case, the doctor should have told you that before he did any injections.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Jun 05, 2014

Hyperpigmentation can occur over larger veins with trapped blood, at injection site when incorrectly injected and some people are just more prone to it. However what you are experiencing sounds more like phlebitis (inflammation of a vein). This can occur with sclerotherapy and the best treatment is regular anti-inlammatory medication such as ibuprofen, applying low heat frequently and wearing you compression hose.
Typically the pigmentation over veins with trapped blood fades over time and this is variable from person to person. We recommend regular massage with arnica cream/gel, returning for any further accumulation of trapped blood and avoiding direct sunlight. While healing. One and a half weeks is very early for most people so be patient. Sometimes it can take many months.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Hyperpigmentation can occur over larger veins with trapped blood, at injection site when incorrectly injected and some people are just more prone to it. However what you are experiencing sounds more like phlebitis (inflammation of a vein). This can occur with sclerotherapy and the best treatment is regular anti-inlammatory medication such as ibuprofen, applying low heat frequently and wearing you compression hose.
Typically the pigmentation over veins with trapped blood fades over time and this is variable from person to person. We recommend regular massage with arnica cream/gel, returning for any further accumulation of trapped blood and avoiding direct sunlight. While healing. One and a half weeks is very early for most people so be patient. Sometimes it can take many months.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center of Orange County

Published on Jun 05, 2014

Post-treatment hyper-pigmentation is a brownish color, and redness is usually inflammation. Hyper-pigmentation usually appears several weeks
after treatment and resolves slowly over several months. Approximately three-percent of patients may experience persistent discoloration past one year. If that occurs, it is easier for your doctor to make sure this is not due to re canalization (re-opening) of the treated vein. But if the discoloration continues to fade no matter how slowly it occurs, it will likely disappear in time.

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Answered by Vein Center of Orange County

Post-treatment hyper-pigmentation is a brownish color, and redness is usually inflammation. Hyper-pigmentation usually appears several weeks
after treatment and resolves slowly over several months. Approximately three-percent of patients may experience persistent discoloration past one year. If that occurs, it is easier for your doctor to make sure this is not due to re canalization (re-opening) of the treated vein. But if the discoloration continues to fade no matter how slowly it occurs, it will likely disappear in time.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Ozark Regional Vein Center

Published on Jun 05, 2014

This is normal. Be patient and let it fade. Most will resolve in 6-8 weeks. If it persists, see your doctor again as some darker pigmentation may take up to a year to fade.

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Answered by Ozark Regional Vein Center

This is normal. Be patient and let it fade. Most will resolve in 6-8 weeks. If it persists, see your doctor again as some darker pigmentation may take up to a year to fade.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Published on Jun 05, 2014

Takes at least five weeks.

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Answered by Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Takes at least five weeks.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Jun 05, 2014

The hyperpigmentation after sclertherapy generally fades over the first year or two. Usually hyper pigmentation is noticed as brown discoloration. Redness is generally a sign of inflammation. Inflammation usually resolves more quickly with proper supportive care. Treatment of any infection that is present which can be a cause of inflammation is important. Most commonly the redness is secondary to the inflammation from the trapped blood and its removal.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

The hyperpigmentation after sclertherapy generally fades over the first year or two. Usually hyper pigmentation is noticed as brown discoloration. Redness is generally a sign of inflammation. Inflammation usually resolves more quickly with proper supportive care. Treatment of any infection that is present which can be a cause of inflammation is important. Most commonly the redness is secondary to the inflammation from the trapped blood and its removal.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Surgical Arts

Published on Jun 05, 2014

Hyperpigmentation after sclerotherapy is usually associated with
hemosiderin deposits in the tissue after the vein is sclerosed. Sometimes local bleeding or extravation of sclerosing agent can also contribute. But, the issue you are describing sounds like it's localized within the treated vessel. If the vessel is large, and there is trapped blood, simple expression can relieve the pressure and remove the blood. If there is further progression of redness, swelling and warmth, then this may indicate phlebitis. If the discoloration is within the vessel, it should resolve shortly after proper treatment (say, phlebitis). If it is hemosiderin deposit, it could take a long time (many months).
If you cannot find a qualified vein doctor in your area, try contacting
the American College of Phlebology. They should have a list of vein
specialists.

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Answered by Advanced Surgical Arts

Hyperpigmentation after sclerotherapy is usually associated with
hemosiderin deposits in the tissue after the vein is sclerosed. Sometimes local bleeding or extravation of sclerosing agent can also contribute. But, the issue you are describing sounds like it's localized within the treated vessel. If the vessel is large, and there is trapped blood, simple expression can relieve the pressure and remove the blood. If there is further progression of redness, swelling and warmth, then this may indicate phlebitis. If the discoloration is within the vessel, it should resolve shortly after proper treatment (say, phlebitis). If it is hemosiderin deposit, it could take a long time (many months).
If you cannot find a qualified vein doctor in your area, try contacting
the American College of Phlebology. They should have a list of vein
specialists.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Veins etc. at Comprehensive Cardiovascular Consultants

Published on Jun 04, 2014

It may take several weeks for the line to disappear, but it varies.

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Answered by Veins etc. at Comprehensive Cardiovascular Consultants

It may take several weeks for the line to disappear, but it varies.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Aluna Vein Centers

Published on Jun 04, 2014

1. Try wearing your compression stocking for one month

2. If you are on hormones or iron medication. You might have to stop it with your doctor advise.

3. Follow with another doctor anyway because you might need further work up and treatment.

4. Pigmentation might take as much as 12 months to go away.

5. You have to go to a Phlebologist and do a complete work up because there might be a feeding vein which is still patent and causing the trapped blood.

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Answered by Aluna Vein Centers

1. Try wearing your compression stocking for one month

2. If you are on hormones or iron medication. You might have to stop it with your doctor advise.

3. Follow with another doctor anyway because you might need further work up and treatment.

4. Pigmentation might take as much as 12 months to go away.

5. You have to go to a Phlebologist and do a complete work up because there might be a feeding vein which is still patent and causing the trapped blood.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Milford Vascular Institute

Published on Jun 04, 2014

Healing varies from patient to patient. ?Usually the redness goes away between 2-4 weeks. NSAIDS, compression stockings and wet warm compresses will help shorten recovery time.

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Answered by Milford Vascular Institute

Healing varies from patient to patient. ?Usually the redness goes away between 2-4 weeks. NSAIDS, compression stockings and wet warm compresses will help shorten recovery time.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Jun 04, 2014

This may take a few months or even a year in some cases. This varies on the individual patient and how dark the line is.

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

This may take a few months or even a year in some cases. This varies on the individual patient and how dark the line is.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Jun 04, 2014

Hyperpigmentation ( seen as purple or bluish discoloration) following sclerotherapy is usually self- limiting and may take months to resolve but usually disappears over 6-8 weeks. Staining (brownish discoloration) however, may take up to a year to resolve. Removing the trapped blood is the appropriate initial treatment. See a vein specialist if your doctor is not available.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Hyperpigmentation ( seen as purple or bluish discoloration) following sclerotherapy is usually self- limiting and may take months to resolve but usually disappears over 6-8 weeks. Staining (brownish discoloration) however, may take up to a year to resolve. Removing the trapped blood is the appropriate initial treatment. See a vein specialist if your doctor is not available.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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