My treated veins are purple (no skin bruising), will they eventually fade or do they need to be treated a second time?

Two weeks after sclerotherapy, some of my treated veins are purple but the skin is not bruised. Others that were treated disappeared immediately. I followed all recommendations post-treatment. Will these veins fade and eventually disappear or do they need a second treatment?

Answers from doctors (7)


Intermountain Vein Center

Published on Jun 24, 2014

Are they spider veins? If they are then a good time to wait in between treatment is about 6-7 weeks. Also, in order to completely treat spider veins, usually 2-3 sessions is typical for spider vein treatment. Now, if they come back after 3 sessions, an ultrasound would be the next step because there is a possibility of having underlying feeder veins that may keep the spider veins open.

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Answered by Intermountain Vein Center

Are they spider veins? If they are then a good time to wait in between treatment is about 6-7 weeks. Also, in order to completely treat spider veins, usually 2-3 sessions is typical for spider vein treatment. Now, if they come back after 3 sessions, an ultrasound would be the next step because there is a possibility of having underlying feeder veins that may keep the spider veins open.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Lakeshore Veins and Wellness

Published on Jun 09, 2014

In our clinic, we bring patients back 3 weeks post injection to evaluate. If the blood on those purple veins blanches with pressure, they may be open and require an additional treatment. If those purple vessels are closed, they may fade over time or they may require making a small needle hole in the vessel to release the debris.

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Answered by Lakeshore Veins and Wellness

In our clinic, we bring patients back 3 weeks post injection to evaluate. If the blood on those purple veins blanches with pressure, they may be open and require an additional treatment. If those purple vessels are closed, they may fade over time or they may require making a small needle hole in the vessel to release the debris.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Jun 09, 2014

Treating spider veins takes an average of 3-5 treatments. Larger vessels can appear darker as the flow of blood is stopped in the vein. If you press on the vein and the vein turns white then returns to blue, it needs re-injection. We always recommend two treatments initially about 4 weeks apart for successful long term healing. Then observe and return 6-8 weeks if more treatment is needed.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Treating spider veins takes an average of 3-5 treatments. Larger vessels can appear darker as the flow of blood is stopped in the vein. If you press on the vein and the vein turns white then returns to blue, it needs re-injection. We always recommend two treatments initially about 4 weeks apart for successful long term healing. Then observe and return 6-8 weeks if more treatment is needed.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Lone Star Vein Center

Published on Jun 08, 2014

If you are referring to sclerotherapy for spider veins, then it is very likely you need a second treatment. I would wait to see how your skin responds after another few weeks before making a decision.

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Answered by Lone Star Vein Center

If you are referring to sclerotherapy for spider veins, then it is very likely you need a second treatment. I would wait to see how your skin responds after another few weeks before making a decision.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Larger veins take longer to go away. One way to tell they are closed is to press on them and if they don't disappear then the are closed and should disappear in the next 4-6 weeks. If the do disappear and you see blood flow back into them the they may need another injection. Either way I would wait 4-6 weeks from your first injections to see how they respond and then decide if you would like to retreat them.

Answered by HeartCare Associates Vein Center (View Profile)

Larger veins take longer to go away. One way to tell they are closed is to press on them and if they don't disappear then the are closed and should disappear in the next 4-6 weeks. If the do disappear and you see blood flow back into them the they may need another injection. Either way I would wait 4-6 weeks from your first injections to see how they respond and then decide if you would like to retreat them.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


The Sheen Vein Institute

Published on Jun 06, 2014

What you probably have is trapped blood in some of your treated spider veins. The reason you have this is because the doc who treated you failed to treat the reticular veins feeding into your spider veins. The result is blood getting pocketed into those treated veins giving you that dark color. If you do not treat the reticular veins feeding these veins, the discoloration can last for a long time.

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Answered by The Sheen Vein Institute

What you probably have is trapped blood in some of your treated spider veins. The reason you have this is because the doc who treated you failed to treat the reticular veins feeding into your spider veins. The result is blood getting pocketed into those treated veins giving you that dark color. If you do not treat the reticular veins feeding these veins, the discoloration can last for a long time.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Jun 06, 2014

Following sclerotherapy what you describe is exactly what happens. Some veins resolve immediately and some look worse before they look better and some will not go away and will need to be retreated.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Following sclerotherapy what you describe is exactly what happens. Some veins resolve immediately and some look worse before they look better and some will not go away and will need to be retreated.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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