My veins look and feel worse after I had foam Sclerotherapy. I had the procedure 2 months ago and they feel hard, are throbbing and very pigmented.

20 years ago I had liquid Sclerotherapy and was bandaged for one month. The veins weregone when removed.Two months after my foam sclerotherapy my veins are still there. I know brown pigmentation takes a while to fade. The only difference is that this time I was only given compression stockings, not tight, to wear for 1 week. I've been wearing my own (stronger) stocking for 7 weeks, but no improvement. I'm very disappointed. Will the veins ever improve?

Answers from doctors (7)


Vein Center of Westlake Village

Published on Aug 12, 2015

Your complaints are of veins that are hard, throbbing and very pigmented 2 months after foam sclerotherapy. You would probably experience pain if pressure is applied to these veins. The most common and probable cause is trapped blood in those problem veins. This is removed in the office quickly and virtually painlessly.
This is commonly done 1 to 2 weeks after the last treatment and before ending the use of compression stockings.
This would be expected to be done by your treating doctor and at no charge.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/687_1431629446.jpg
Answered by Vein Center of Westlake Village

Your complaints are of veins that are hard, throbbing and very pigmented 2 months after foam sclerotherapy. You would probably experience pain if pressure is applied to these veins. The most common and probable cause is trapped blood in those problem veins. This is removed in the office quickly and virtually painlessly.
This is commonly done 1 to 2 weeks after the last treatment and before ending the use of compression stockings.
This would be expected to be done by your treating doctor and at no charge.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Aug 11, 2015

The duration of time to wear compression hose varies with each physician. I recommend only 48 hours of compression and this has worked well for me for 20 years. If you have areas of pigmentation or hard areas or throbbing then you should follow up with your treating physician since these areas may need to be drained of the clotted blood.

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

The duration of time to wear compression hose varies with each physician. I recommend only 48 hours of compression and this has worked well for me for 20 years. If you have areas of pigmentation or hard areas or throbbing then you should follow up with your treating physician since these areas may need to be drained of the clotted blood.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Destin Vein Center

Published on Jul 27, 2015

The pain will go away once the liquefied coagulum is evaluated. This is just a small needle stick directly into the tender hard lumps. The dark fading almost always disappears but can take many months and sometimes even years. We have seen faster resolution in many patients using BBL or IPL.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/927_1422310261.jpg
Answered by Destin Vein Center

The pain will go away once the liquefied coagulum is evaluated. This is just a small needle stick directly into the tender hard lumps. The dark fading almost always disappears but can take many months and sometimes even years. We have seen faster resolution in many patients using BBL or IPL.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vascular Center and Vein Clinic of Southern Indiana

Published on Jul 24, 2015

As a general rule of thumb, wearing compression stockings after sclerotherapy is recommended. Hyperpigmentation may occur after sclerotherapy. A persons complexion and vein size sometimes may increase the proclivity for hyperpigmentation.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/1196_1551115459.jpg
Answered by Vascular Center and Vein Clinic of Southern Indiana

As a general rule of thumb, wearing compression stockings after sclerotherapy is recommended. Hyperpigmentation may occur after sclerotherapy. A persons complexion and vein size sometimes may increase the proclivity for hyperpigmentation.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Georgia Vascular Institute

Published on Jul 24, 2015

The hard, throbbing feeling is likely clotted blood in the vein. You can also develop thrombophlebitis (which is inflammation of the clotted vein). Typically can be treated with warm compresses and anti-inflammatory. if it does not improve you may have to got the clotted blood in the vein removed.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/1424_1408044095.jpg
Answered by Georgia Vascular Institute

The hard, throbbing feeling is likely clotted blood in the vein. You can also develop thrombophlebitis (which is inflammation of the clotted vein). Typically can be treated with warm compresses and anti-inflammatory. if it does not improve you may have to got the clotted blood in the vein removed.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Jul 24, 2015

You most likely developed areas of trapped blood from the treatments. These show as hard and often tender bumps in veins treated and can lead to pigmentation. I encourage my patients to come in if seen so we can drain these areas and avoid the discomfort and pigmentation. However, that said, I normally remove larger bulging varicose veins as it tends to avoid these problems. I reserve foam sclerotherapy for smaller reticular veins and deeper perforator veins. When injecting, we apply a medical grade of at least 20-30 mmHg compression hose for 3 day x 24 hrs day then daily for one week. This seems to help with reducing trapped blood.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/623_1499902138.jpg
Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

You most likely developed areas of trapped blood from the treatments. These show as hard and often tender bumps in veins treated and can lead to pigmentation. I encourage my patients to come in if seen so we can drain these areas and avoid the discomfort and pigmentation. However, that said, I normally remove larger bulging varicose veins as it tends to avoid these problems. I reserve foam sclerotherapy for smaller reticular veins and deeper perforator veins. When injecting, we apply a medical grade of at least 20-30 mmHg compression hose for 3 day x 24 hrs day then daily for one week. This seems to help with reducing trapped blood.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Jul 24, 2015

You probably have some trapped blood. This can be removed in the first 1-2 months and can improve the appearance.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/464_1408044069.jpg
Answered by Advanced Vein Center

You probably have some trapped blood. This can be removed in the first 1-2 months and can improve the appearance.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Related Questions for Foam Sclerotherapy

Foam Sclerotherapy -13 answers
I had EVLT performed on both legs. A week later, I had a foam sclerotherapy treatment. I developed thrombophlebitis following the procedures, and was given ibuprofen 600 for 2 weeks. I am finding that I still have no relief. There is pain behind my knee & inner thigh. What should I do?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -5 answers
It has been almost 3 weeks since I had the procedure. Is it OK to go for a full body massage? If not, when will I be able to go?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -3 answers
I've had four rounds of sclerotherapy over the course of a year. Now they're much much worse, and there are new clusters of veins around the injection site. Is it possible sclerotherapy just doesn't work for me?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -7 answers
Is it bad for your health to have sclerotherapy? It seems dangerous to inject chemicals like that directly into the bloodstream. Couldn't they spread and cause damage to other veins/areas of the body?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -2 answers
I have done several procedures Foam Sclerotherapy, injections, etc. This has caused those areas to stain. Also the pain continues especially when I'm on my mentral cycle, which causes it to be even more pruple and almost black in color.
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -4 answers
I had the great and short saphenous veins treated on both legs. I am still wearing compression hose during the day but my legs feel very tender and bruised and it hurts when I walk.
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -2 answers
I hate the big veins on my hands. Is it safe to get rid of them with sclerotherapy?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -5 answers
I had the VENUS procedure done 4 weeks ago along with foam sclerotherapy into a perforator vein about 3" above my ankle. Ultrasound shows a thrombosis in this area. It is still hardened, tender, and has not improved. What should I expect my surgeon to do?
See More
Get answers from our experienced doctors.
How it works
Foam Sclerotherapy -2 answers
My leg aches continually especially in warm weather. Can this be eradicated with more foam to reduce the refluxing veins? What are my chances of getting phlebitis again in this leg and how long should I leave it before having more treatment?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -10 answers
My doctor says it's okay but I thought veins had to clot in order for the sclerotheraphy to be successful.
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -6 answers
I am thinking about having foam sclerotherapy and I was once told by a doctor that the blood will clot from the foam and then the foam shrinks the vein. Can you explain this process? How long does the blood clot stay there? Is it a concern, and is there a risk of developing other problems from this treatment, such as cancer?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -3 answers
I have developed protruding blue veins around my ankle (my achilles heel area) and generally on my foot. Would foam sclerotherapy or just sclerotherapy be suitable in treating this? Would it help resolve my ankle aching on hot days?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -7 answers
I have bulging veins on my feet that concern me health-wise. Can they be treated using sclerotherapy? Or, is there a better procedure for this particular area?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -6 answers
I had foam scleotherapy 16 days ago on a very superficial varicose vein behind my left knee. The surgeon injected the vein with foam; however, at that moment, I felt pain along the vein in my inner thigh. I had severe bruising along this vein even though it was far from the site of injection. I now still have bruising and there are palpable tender lumps along the length of the vein on my inner thigh for about 4-5 inches. Is this normal? What do I do?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -3 answers
what are the advantages (if any) over Asclera and also, must a compression stocking be worn after the proceedure AND EXACTLY for how long?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -2 answers
I had phlebitis which has left my short saphenous vein distended and aching around the foot, ankle, and calf. How is this problem best treated?
See More
Get answers from our experienced doctors.
How it works

Related Articles

Have specific questions?
ASK A DOCTOR