If I wear compression hose, can I forego the cotton balls and tape required after Sclerotherapy?

I get cuts/reactions to the tape, so I'd rather remove them when I get home a few hours after the sclerotherapy treatment, instead of after the recommended 24 hours. If I'm still wearing compression hose, will the early removal of the cotton balls affect my results?

Answers from doctors (17)


Vein Clinic of North Carolina

Published on Dec 27, 2012

If you are that sensitive to tape, the tape and cotton balls can be eliminated. However, keeping them on usually renders a better result and decreased bruising.



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Answered by Vein Clinic of North Carolina

If you are that sensitive to tape, the tape and cotton balls can be eliminated. However, keeping them on usually renders a better result and decreased bruising.



Published on Jul 11, 2012


Ozark Regional Vein Center

Published on Dec 26, 2012

I am aware that some clinics use the cotton ball technique, but we typically don't. In most cases, we use compression hose alone after sclerotherapy.

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Answered by Ozark Regional Vein Center

I am aware that some clinics use the cotton ball technique, but we typically don't. In most cases, we use compression hose alone after sclerotherapy.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


North Shore Vein Center

Published on Dec 26, 2012

I would ask your doctor about what he/she prefers. We have not found the use of cotton balls and tape to be more effective than compression stockings following a sclerotherapy treatment, and have always recommended just stockings to our patients.

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Answered by North Shore Vein Center

I would ask your doctor about what he/she prefers. We have not found the use of cotton balls and tape to be more effective than compression stockings following a sclerotherapy treatment, and have always recommended just stockings to our patients.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Treatment and Aesthetic Center

Published on Dec 20, 2012

Go ahead and remove the tape and cotton balls, but continue the compression hose. I Never use the cotton balls or tape and still have excellent results.

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Answered by Vein Treatment and Aesthetic Center

Go ahead and remove the tape and cotton balls, but continue the compression hose. I Never use the cotton balls or tape and still have excellent results.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


VeinSolutions - Edina

Published on Dec 12, 2012

Post-sclerotherapy protocol differs from practitioner to practitioner. While one doctor may use cotton balls for hyper-compression another may use gauze and a layer of dressing retainer, so there is no uniform answer as to what should or should not be done post-sclero. The best plan would be to follow your provider's instructions and be compliant. You will then, most likely, end up with the best results.

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Answered by VeinSolutions - Edina

Post-sclerotherapy protocol differs from practitioner to practitioner. While one doctor may use cotton balls for hyper-compression another may use gauze and a layer of dressing retainer, so there is no uniform answer as to what should or should not be done post-sclero. The best plan would be to follow your provider's instructions and be compliant. You will then, most likely, end up with the best results.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Smith Vein Institute, LLC

Published on Dec 11, 2012

I don't generally use cotton balls after sclerotherapy and I get good results.

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Answered by Smith Vein Institute, LLC

I don't generally use cotton balls after sclerotherapy and I get good results.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Heart and Vein Center

Published on Dec 11, 2012

You could do exactly as you described, and it should not affect your results much.

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Answered by Heart and Vein Center

You could do exactly as you described, and it should not affect your results much.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein & Laser Centre, Ltd.

Published on Dec 11, 2012

This is best answered by the physician treating you.

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Answered by Advanced Vein & Laser Centre, Ltd.

This is best answered by the physician treating you.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Intermountain Vein Center

Published on Dec 11, 2012

There should be no types of bandage required after sclerotherapy. They are simply injections and they will not need covering other than the compression stockings.

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Answered by Intermountain Vein Center

There should be no types of bandage required after sclerotherapy. They are simply injections and they will not need covering other than the compression stockings.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Dec 11, 2012

I stopped using tape on sclerotherapy patients years ago for just this reason. I just use stockings.

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

I stopped using tape on sclerotherapy patients years ago for just this reason. I just use stockings.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Physicians Vein Clinics - Sioux Falls

Published on Dec 11, 2012

Actually, when I do sclerotherapy I oniy use graduated compression stockings and do not use the cotton balls and tape at all.

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Answered by Physicians Vein Clinics - Sioux Falls

Actually, when I do sclerotherapy I oniy use graduated compression stockings and do not use the cotton balls and tape at all.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Dec 11, 2012

We discontinued cotton balls and tape many years ago specifically for the problems you mention. While I may apply cottonballs for pressure during the treatment of larger feeder veins, these are removed prior to applying the hose during the treatment. The reason for applying this pressurs is to reduce bruising and keep the solution in the veins for longer by occlusion of the vein. Removing at the end of the treatment allows enough time for good results.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

We discontinued cotton balls and tape many years ago specifically for the problems you mention. While I may apply cottonballs for pressure during the treatment of larger feeder veins, these are removed prior to applying the hose during the treatment. The reason for applying this pressurs is to reduce bruising and keep the solution in the veins for longer by occlusion of the vein. Removing at the end of the treatment allows enough time for good results.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Arizona Vein Specialists

Published on Dec 11, 2012

Removal of the cotton balls will probably not affect your results significantly.

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Answered by Arizona Vein Specialists

Removal of the cotton balls will probably not affect your results significantly.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Dec 11, 2012

Yes, compression hose after Sclerotherapy will be fine and you will get same results. In fact, that's all we recommend.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

Yes, compression hose after Sclerotherapy will be fine and you will get same results. In fact, that's all we recommend.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Dec 11, 2012

That is the way I treat spider veins. There is no definitive study showing the added compression makes a difference or is important. If you get results you're happy with then I guess it's OK to do it your way.

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Answered by Advanced Vein Center

That is the way I treat spider veins. There is no definitive study showing the added compression makes a difference or is important. If you get results you're happy with then I guess it's OK to do it your way.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

Published on Dec 11, 2012

Should be fine removing them earlier.

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Answered by Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

Should be fine removing them earlier.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Dec 11, 2012

I stopped using cotton balls over twelve years ago. I would recommend wearing compression stockings alone following sclerotherapy for 48 hours.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

I stopped using cotton balls over twelve years ago. I would recommend wearing compression stockings alone following sclerotherapy for 48 hours.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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