What it is
Varicose veins develop when the veins weaken and lose their ability to carry blood back to the heart: blood pools and the veins become dilated and twisted. They can cause discomfort, pain and even medical complications if they are not treated properly.
Sclerotherapy consists of injecting a substance, Aethoxysklerol, into the varicose vein. It inflames the walls of the small vein and causes it to close. The vein becomes a sclerosed cord that the body reabsorbs over a few weeks. No incisions or cuts in the skin are needed.
At MESOMEDIC we treat varicose and thread veins with cryosclerotherapy: the sclerosing solution is injected at a low temperature, which can help reduce discomfort during the procedure.
Who it is for
People with varicose veins or thread veins (dilated superficial veins) on the legs. This is the most affected area because the leg veins have to carry blood back to the heart against gravity. Less often, varicose veins also appear in the genital area, the thighs and the feet.
The session
The treatment takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of veins and how extensive they are. No anaesthesia is needed: the substance is delivered with a small needle directly into the vein.
Most patients tolerate the technique very well. Some notice a slight burning or pricking sensation at the moment of the injection, which disappears within a few minutes.
The number of sessions depends on the number of veins to be treated. Although many patients notice an improvement after the first session, most need 4 to 5. The doctor assesses each case and recommends the sessions you need.
Results
The treated vein closes and is reabsorbed over a few weeks. As well as improving appearance, the treatment:
- Improves blood circulation and relieves symptoms such as swelling and leg pain.
- Can help prevent more serious complications, such as deep vein thrombosis.
- Removes thread veins.
- Prevents small varicose veins from progressing.
