Sclerotherapy is an adjunctive treatment option for those who find themselves experiencing discomfort or unsightly effects of varicose veins. These veins appear large and twisted and are easily visible under the skin. They occur when the blood in these veins fails to travel through correctly and begins to clot inside the vein. Varicose veins can be treated with sclerotherapy, which is a non-surgical treatment that causes the varicose veins to close and eventually fade. Effectively, the blood flow is rerouted through healthier veins.
While sclerotherapy is not a very invasive procedure, taking proper care of yourself after the treatment is essential, and here we will outline some important pieces of advice to help you achieve the best possible sclerotherapy results.
Keep in mind that your eligibility for sclerotherapy treatment will be determined by your vascular surgeon in Melbourne depending on your health history and the overall health of the area requiring treatment. However, individuals with a history of blood clots, or individuals who are currently pregnant will not be eligible.
Anyone undergoing sclerotherapy should adhere to the following recovery guidelines after they have completed their treatment to both maximise results and prevent the possibility of complications:
DO
- Wear compression stockings to assist with preventing blood clots (unless your surgeon advises otherwise).
- Attempt to avoid any strenuous activities or high-impact workouts for one week after treatment. Movement is still encouraged during your recovery period, but it should not be too intensive.
- Take whatever anti-inflammatory medication is recommended by your vascular surgeon in Melbourne.
DO NOT
- Be overly sedentary during your recovery. An important part of your recovery is walking as the blood needs to be encouraged to move into the healthy veins.
- Take any hot baths for 1 week after treatment. Definitely don’t visit a spa or sauna.
- Experience excessive sun exposure to treated areas for at least one month after treatment. This can cause hyperpigmentation as the skin in this area will be very sensitive.
When To Resume Normal Activities After Treatment
Many patients are well enough to drive themselves home after their procedure. You should be able to return to work on the same day. Some patients may feel sorer than others after treatment, and this is entirely normal. After a day or so you should begin to notice an improvement. If not, get in contact with your doctor.
Immediately after your procedure, you should begin taking routine walks to encourage healthy blood flow circulation. While it is important to move, be sure not to overwork yourself with long or difficult walks. Shorter, gentle walks are all you need during this time as you don’t want to risk causing any harm to your sensitive veins.
How long does it take to see the full benefits of sclerotherapy?
In case you are wondering how long it takes to see sclerotherapy results and experience the full benefits of your treatment, the question cannot be answered with certainty. The treatment and recovery process is different for every patient, and it entirely depends on the state and extent of your veins before the procedure. A general answer is that many patients will notice an improvement in their varicose veins within the first six or so weeks after treatment, though sometimes it may require further treatment to achieve the desired effect. It is always possible that you may develop new varicose veins in similar areas. If this does happen, it’s a good idea to speak with your vascular surgeon in Melbourne to discuss healthy habits and changes to reduce the development of these veins or discuss additional treatment of veins.
If your veins don’t fully recover after the first treatment and your doctor suggests undergoing another session, you will need to wait around four to six weeks before coming in again. Always be sure to follow the instructions given by your doctor, both before and after the treatment, to ensure that you are getting the most out of your sclerotherapy and have the best chance of achieving healthy and blemish-free veins.
If you have recently developed varicose veins, or have been suffering from them for some time without treatment, it might be time to consider looking for ‘sclerotherapy near me’. If you are interested in the procedure and want to make sure you achieve the best possible results, make sure to follow all the steps provided by your vascular surgeon and schedule a consultation today to learn more about this procedure.