A friend of mine was recently telling me that she was looking into sclerotherapy to remove some spider veins on her legs. During her research she found that you need to wear compression hosiery immediately after the procedure and for about two weeks after. However, she couldn’t find much in the way of information on what type of compression she should wear for sclerotherapy recovery. So naturally, she did a Google search and was immediately overwhelmed and confused by all the options. Luckily she has a friend in the compression business to help guide her! In case anyone else is confused about what to wear after sclerotherapy, I thought I’d share my advice here.
During sclerotherapy treatment, your doctor will elevate your leg and inject the target veins with sclerosant. The procedure doesn’t take long (anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes) and you can get up and walk around, which is important to prevent the formation of blood clots. Additionally, to prevent blood clots – patients must wear compression hosiery over the site of the injection. Compression socks or stockings make sure that blood does not flow back into these treated veins after treatment. Some doctors may tell you that you only need to wear compression stockings for 24 – 48 hours after the procedure, but we think it’s better to be cautious. You’re most likely paying for this procedure out of pocket – so do everything that you can to make sure you get the results you’ve paid for! We recommend wearing compression for AT LEAST a week after your procedure during the hours you’re on your feet. Ideally – you should wear the hosiery for two weeks. You don’t need to wear the hosiery to bed.
So, what kind of compression hosiery should you wear after sclerotherapy? Most doctors will recommend at least 20-30 mmHg of compression in thigh highs or pantyhose. Since you’ll be wearing these for a few weeks, you should purchase something that will be comfortable and attractive – something you won’t mind wearing for a few weeks. If you’re imagining the thick, unsightly compression hose that your grandmother wore - don’t worry! These days, compression stockings come in all sheerness levels and colors. Most people won’t be able to tell the difference between your compression stockings and regular pantyhose.
So, before your procedure, take the time to measure your legs, read reviews of different brands and styles, and buy the hosiery you know you’ll be able to wear for the weeks following your procedure. We have a large selection of pantyhose and thigh highs – and our customers are very honest in their reviews of the products, so it’s a great place to start! Since the majority of people only need to wear compression for a few weeks after treatment they don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on garments. The Allegro line, exclusive to BrightLife Direct, has a huge selection at a lower price point while still delivering the necessary compression.
Are you going to undergo a sclerotherapy treatment? Here’s everything you need to know about this innovative varicose vein treatment and how to take care of yourself following the procedure to ensure the best results.
Sclerotherapy is a proven medical procedure that has been used as a successful spider vein and varicose vein treatment option for many years. It is a quick and simple procedure that offers many benefits, including:
- Quick treatment time (approximately 15-30 minutes)
- Almost painless procedure
- More cost-effective than surgical varicose vein treatments
- High success rate of relieving pain and eliminating the appearance of varicose veins
Customized Spider and Varicose Vein Treatments at our Calgary Clinic
At Glenmore Landing Vein Clinic, we offer a wide range of anti-aging and varicose vein treatments to meet all your needs! From sclerotherapy to IPL photorejuvenation, Botox, and Belkyra, our highly trained staff has the experience and knowledge to help you feel healthy and beautiful!
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4 Rules for a Quick Sclerotherapy Recovery
Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure that is used to treat spider veins and small varicose veins. During the varicose vein treatment, the abnormal veins will be injected with a solution that causes them to swell, collapse, and fade away over time.
This varicose vein treatment is a safe procedure and often, patients are allowed to return to normal activity the same day, with limited restrictions. To ensure the safest and fastest sclerotherapy recovery, here are four rules you must follow:
Wear compression stockings. It is recommended that you wear compression stockings for at least 2-3 weeks after your sclerotherapy treatment. Your vein specialist can help you determine the degree of compression needed and how long you’ll have to wear them for.
How To Choose The Right Compression Stockings
Avoid the sun. Overexposure to the sun can cause your skin to age prematurely, and it can also lead to the development of spider veins. To allow your veins to heal properly, make sure you avoid sun exposure for at least two weeks and always wear a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, when you are outside.
Avoid strenuous exercise. Sclerotherapy doesn’t usually require any downtime, and patients are able to walk immediately after treatment. However, plan to take it easy for a few days and avoid any strenuous exercise for at least three days post-treatment.
Always follow up with your vein specialist. You should schedule a follow up appointment with your vein specialist to ensure proper healing and to determine that no additional treatments are required. It is important to keep this appointment to achieve optimal results from your varicose vein treatment.
How Long Will It Take My Veins to Disappear After Sclerotherapy?
Small veins will usually disappear faster than larger ones. Spider veins will disappear in 3-6 weeks, and larger veins will respond in approximately three months. If your veins do respond to treatment, they won’t reappear.
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To find out more about the costs and benefits of our varicose vein and anti-aging treatments, and to learn how our specialists can help meet all your health and aesthetic goals, contact us today at (403) 253-2555 orfill in our online contact form.