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Sclerotherapy

Overview:

Sclerotherapy is a technique designed to shut down unsightly spider veins on legs, thighs, face or other body areas. Several substances can be injected to cause this effect. While providing identical results and downtime, detergents/foaming agents are generally considered painless while hypertonic saline injections are uncomfortable.

Sclerotherapy is used for the treatment of larger spider veins. It is often followed by several sclerolaser treatments which resolve extremely fine vessels that did not take to sclerotherapy.

Expected results:

Seventy percent reduction of spider veins after a series of treatments.

Preparation:

Avoidance of aspirin and ibuprofen for 10 days. Depending on the examination, ultrasound may be necessary to exclude reflux, which may hamper treatment success. If reflux is detected, a consultation with a vascular surgeon may be necessary to remove underlying varicosities.

Post treatment instructions:

Compression stockings 20-30 mmHg or higher for 6 weeks, sun avoidance for 3 months, avoidance of aspirin and ibuprofen for 3 days.

Time to desired results:

The reduction of spider veins can be seen 6 to 8 weeks after each treatment on the lower extremity; facial veins and those on the trunk usually respond faster.

Duration of desired effects:

5-7 years. After this time, our body will form new vessels, especially in genetically determined spider veins.

Limitations:

We do not perform treatments to veins on hands or on the upper or lower eyelids. Ankle veins are challenging to treat.

Contraindications:

History of bleeding or clotting disorders, diabetes, certain auto-immune disorders, pregnancy/breastfeeding, allergy to Sotrodecol or Polidocanol.

Downtime:

Up to 3 months of bruising or hyperpigmentation.

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Selected Patient Questions and Answers

Sclerotherapy - Patients ask, Dr. Ringpfeil answers

Please feel free to use the blog below to share information about Sclerotherapy or to ask Dr. Franziska Ringpfeil a question that might be of interest to others.

# of surveys: 4187
Last updated: 1/02/2024 11:10 AM

PATIENT RATINGS

Would you recommend us?

definitely: 93.1%
probably: 6.16%
maybe: 0.58%
not likely: 0.08%
no: 0.02%

Compare our service to other similar practices

excellent: 87.9%
very good: 10.1%
good: 1.8%
poor: 0.06%
very poor: 0%

Overall doctor performance

excellent: 94.2%
very good: 4.89%
good: 0.80%
poor: 0.03%
very poor: 0%

The doctor listened to you attentively

excellent: 93.9%
very good: 4.97%
good: 1.05%
poor: 0.05%
very poor: 0%

The doctor took time to answer your questions

excellent: 94.0%
very good: 4.66%
good: 1.27%
poor: 0.02%
very poor: 0%

The doctor explained treatment options

excellent: 94.3%
very good: 4.16%
good: 1.25%
poor: 0.14%
very poor: 0.02%

The doctor explained treatment options

excellent: 92.0%
very good: 5.69%
good: 2.18%
poor: 0.11%
very poor: 0.0%

Front desk performance

excellent: 85.6%
very good: 10.2%
good: 3.66%
poor: 0.31%
very poor: 0.08%

Aesthetician performance

excellent: 88.6%
very good: 7.61%
good: 3.39%
poor: 0.24%
very poor: 0.08%

Office comfort

excellent: 90.9%
very good: 6.93%
good: 2.08%
poor: 0.05%
very poor: 0.05%

Parking

excellent: 66.4%
very good: 14.4%
good: 15.7%
poor: 2.49%
very poor: 0.9%

Friendliness of the staff during appointment

excellent: 90.9%
very good: 7.23%
good: 1.85%
poor: 0.05%
very poor: 0%

What WE DID WELL

(Answers:674)

The doctor was very clear and extremely thorough along with being pleasant. She makes her patients comfortable.

#12025-11-25

We liked that Dr. Ringpfeil explained everything to us and made my daugther (almost 6 yo) feel very comfortable in the office. She was very friendly, kind and professional.

#22025-10-17

The prfessionalism of the staff and the attentiveness of the physician. Also the timliness of the staff.

#32011-01-26 08:55:26

I liked the relaxing atmosphere, and the service. All the women were wonderful, and the doctor- especially- was friendly, and very helpful. I did not feel at all uncomfortable or nervous, as I normally do at a doctors visit. The assistant was wonderful, and they worked great as a team. The visit was painless, quick, and very easy. Thank you! I'll certainly be back and recommend this office to my friends and family as well. :)

#42026-05-22

the cute scrubs:-) knowledge of the dr. and staff.

#52026-02-18

I definitely liked Dr. Ringpfeil since she was thorough and attentive to my questions.

#62025-09-03

comfortable setting, nice office, helpful/polite staff

#72026-04-24

very warm friendly staff

#82026-03-31

No wait time, very efficient and easy to get in/out during work day.

#92011-09-27 12:59:17

I thought the doctor was very thorough in explaining the procedures I need to take care of my skin problem

#102026-02-03

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What can we do better?

(answers:373)

While I totally understand the late policy, unfortunately my daughter and I drove 1.5 hrs to the facility and given the weather and errorous directions, we ended up being 7 mins late. I immediately called the office while on route to explain that we were lost and sought correct directions. The receptionist was very curt, short and condesending. Upon our arrival, there was no warm greeting and very limited eye contact. Again,as a heath care provider myself, I appreciate the need to follow a schedule, however, our appointments were in direct succession and I do not think it would have had a significant impact on the work schedule, given our special circumstance.

#12011-03-24 10:10:11

Everything was great! The only thing I would say is when I called to make an appointment for sun spot treatment to let me know that I should limit my sun exposure and wear sunblock.

#22011-05-05 13:30:08

I have zero complaints--top notch service from booking of appointment to treatment to checkout.

#32011-07-26 14:19:25

Nothing - excellent.

#42011-01-25 12:57:52

I had problems with my insurance. Since you took my insurance information over the phone it might have been nice to know that before I came in so I could have fixed it.

#52011-05-19 10:14:50

The experience was very pleasant, and relaxed. I would not recommend changing anything!

#62025-07-25

Everthing was excellent

#72010-10-27 13:58:55

I have nothing to add, everyone was superb, made you feel right at home and insanely knowledgable. I am beyond happy.

#82010-09-28 11:03:56

My experience in the office today was absolutely excellent

#92025-12-01

Continue with the excellent treatment

#102025-08-24

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