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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)

Dr. Heckman gave me a lot of information and listened and answered all of my questions.

#12011-11-17 15:30:47

It was a comphrehensive examination ..

#22025-11-05

I thought the staff and the Doctor was extremely proffesional and courteous. I had a positive first experience and will continue to visit.

#32025-09-18

How nice and welcoming everyone is!

#42025-08-25

doctor very friendly and professional

#52026-01-15

the service, and the timely manner i was seen

#62011-03-29 10:26:45

Dr. Ringpfeil took her time and was attentive to my concerns. Writing all options on paper was very helpful and will help me when I start my regimen

#72026-03-21

the people

#82026-06-30

all people very nice.

#92026-06-01

Appt hours are great for early morning. Great staff!

#102025-09-20

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What can we do better?

(answers:373)

this computer system doesnt show the full anser in some cases. and some required tabs shouldnt be required, like cell phone and work phone.

#12025-07-31

Everything was great!

#22026-01-09

Only the 30 minute wait time really should be shortened.

#32026-03-15

u r awesome, make everything FREE!, haha jk, worth every penny!

#42011-12-21 17:29:36

shorter wait time for new patient appointment.

#52025-08-22

Today I had to wait 45 min. to see the Doctor. I understand that sometimes other appointments run over but I took time off work to come here and I felt like I spent most of my time here waiting to see her.

#62025-12-18

i work from 7:30 to 4:30, and i am very disappointed that you have no night hours......

#72010-10-12 12:10:30

less waiting time in the room

#82025-09-16

I couldn't find any parking.

#92025-08-20

I think that you should just mkae the vists a little bit quicker, and thats all.

#102010-10-27 08:46:34

see more patient answers >>