Should my legs look worse after Sclerotherapy?

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?

Answers from doctors (10)


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Jan 14, 2019

I would hope that each week different areas were treated, otherwise, we would consider this overtreatment. Our patients wear compression hose for a week after treatment and use Dermaka cream for healing, bruising, and reducing pigmentation. We do not treat the same area sooner than 4 weeks. It may also be possible that you have areas of trapped blood in feeder/reticular veins. This should be drained for faster healing and reducing the chance of pigmentation.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

I would hope that each week different areas were treated, otherwise, we would consider this overtreatment. Our patients wear compression hose for a week after treatment and use Dermaka cream for healing, bruising, and reducing pigmentation. We do not treat the same area sooner than 4 weeks. It may also be possible that you have areas of trapped blood in feeder/reticular veins. This should be drained for faster healing and reducing the chance of pigmentation.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Jun 05, 2011

It can be normal for veins to look worse following a Sclerotherapy treatment. Often times patients will have trapped blood in the treated veins following Sclerotherapy. You may notice hard, tender, darkened areas as a result of injections. This can take months to resolve. There are some things that can be done to help accelerate the healing process. The areas of trapped blood can be drained by your physician through a small needle puncture. Also using a heating pad on areas of trapped blood can be helpful.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

It can be normal for veins to look worse following a Sclerotherapy treatment. Often times patients will have trapped blood in the treated veins following Sclerotherapy. You may notice hard, tender, darkened areas as a result of injections. This can take months to resolve. There are some things that can be done to help accelerate the healing process. The areas of trapped blood can be drained by your physician through a small needle puncture. Also using a heating pad on areas of trapped blood can be helpful.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


The Vein Center

Published on Jan 12, 2011

It can be normal for veins to look worse following a Sclerotherapy treatment. Often times patients will have trapped blood in the treated veins following Sclerotherapy. You may notice hard, tender, darkened areas as a result of injections. This can take months to resolve. There are some things that can be done to help accelerate the healing process. The areas of trapped blood can be drained by your physician through a small needle puncture. Also using a heating pad on areas of trapped blood can be helpful.

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Answered by The Vein Center

It can be normal for veins to look worse following a Sclerotherapy treatment. Often times patients will have trapped blood in the treated veins following Sclerotherapy. You may notice hard, tender, darkened areas as a result of injections. This can take months to resolve. There are some things that can be done to help accelerate the healing process. The areas of trapped blood can be drained by your physician through a small needle puncture. Also using a heating pad on areas of trapped blood can be helpful.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Miller Vein

Published on Dec 02, 2010

While it is possible to look worse before you look better, you should return to your sclerotherapist. Without seeing your leg it's very difficult to render an opinion.

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Answered by Miller Vein

While it is possible to look worse before you look better, you should return to your sclerotherapist. Without seeing your leg it's very difficult to render an opinion.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Dec 01, 2010

Yes, legs usually look worse after sclerotherapy. This is due to bruising and clotting of the veins. The dark veins that you see are probably these clotted veins. However, you appear to describe sclerotherapy of reticular veins and, if they are clotted, they can be evacuated to remove the clot, improve the appearance and help to prevent future staining. You should follow up with your vein care specialist.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Yes, legs usually look worse after sclerotherapy. This is due to bruising and clotting of the veins. The dark veins that you see are probably these clotted veins. However, you appear to describe sclerotherapy of reticular veins and, if they are clotted, they can be evacuated to remove the clot, improve the appearance and help to prevent future staining. You should follow up with your vein care specialist.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Angelo N. Makris MD

Published on Dec 01, 2010

It does take time for the veins to go away. The larger the vein, and feeders tend to be larger than spiders, the longer it takes to go way. They also tend to turn brown before they go away.

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Answered by Angelo N. Makris MD

It does take time for the veins to go away. The larger the vein, and feeders tend to be larger than spiders, the longer it takes to go way. They also tend to turn brown before they go away.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Dec 01, 2010

Sometimes deeper veins should be treated before sclerotherapy of the superficial veins. An ultrasound maybe in order to further evaluate these veins if it has not already been done. Matting may also occur after sclerotherapy which is smaller veins arising after inj. of larger veins.
See your vein specialist for further evaluation.

Michael D. Ingegno, MD

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

Sometimes deeper veins should be treated before sclerotherapy of the superficial veins. An ultrasound maybe in order to further evaluate these veins if it has not already been done. Matting may also occur after sclerotherapy which is smaller veins arising after inj. of larger veins.
See your vein specialist for further evaluation.

Michael D. Ingegno, MD

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Susan B Fox, D.O. RPVI, FSVM

Published on Dec 01, 2010

1) You should not have injections this close normally. 2) You probably have staining. I would go back to the doctor and see if there are any veins he can " drain". Staining can take 6 to 24 months to fade. I would go back to the doctor that did this and let them see the veins to see what can be done. IF you do have staining sometimes draining helps otherwise you just have to wait it out.
Susan

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Answered by Susan B Fox, D.O. RPVI, FSVM

1) You should not have injections this close normally. 2) You probably have staining. I would go back to the doctor and see if there are any veins he can " drain". Staining can take 6 to 24 months to fade. I would go back to the doctor that did this and let them see the veins to see what can be done. IF you do have staining sometimes draining helps otherwise you just have to wait it out.
Susan

Published on Jul 11, 2012


VeinCare Centers of Tennessee

Published on Nov 30, 2010

Sclerotherapy often will make the legs look worse for days to months as the treated veins are being resorbed by the body and as the darker pigment from the procedure improves. Sometimes the new dark veins are veins which have blood trapped in them as they seal shut. if you have concerns, you need to see your treating physician for an evaluation.

Stephen F. Daugherty, MD

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Answered by VeinCare Centers of Tennessee

Sclerotherapy often will make the legs look worse for days to months as the treated veins are being resorbed by the body and as the darker pigment from the procedure improves. Sometimes the new dark veins are veins which have blood trapped in them as they seal shut. if you have concerns, you need to see your treating physician for an evaluation.

Stephen F. Daugherty, MD

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Heart and Vein Center

Published on Nov 30, 2010

Most of the times take? up to 3-4 months for the results of sclerotherapy to be noticeable, until then the veins can certainlky look worse.
Some patients might develop neovascularization (new blood vessel formation) in response to the sclerotherapy treatment. It is better to let the body rest for few months before attempt to go after the new veins instead of continuing with more treatments.
Dr Farhy

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Answered by Heart and Vein Center

Most of the times take? up to 3-4 months for the results of sclerotherapy to be noticeable, until then the veins can certainlky look worse.
Some patients might develop neovascularization (new blood vessel formation) in response to the sclerotherapy treatment. It is better to let the body rest for few months before attempt to go after the new veins instead of continuing with more treatments.
Dr Farhy

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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