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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)

yES, THERE WAS A DELAY IN SEEING THE DOCTOR AND THE MEDICAL ASST. ACTUALLY APOLOGIZED AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. THAT RARELY HAPPENS IN ANY DOCTORS OFFICE I HAVE EVER BEEN IN.

#12010-11-11 10:41:38

everyone was very pleasant and made me feel comfortable about my situation as well as gave me the hope for relief I was hoping for.

#22025-09-15

Electronic Files

#32010-11-15 12:09:12

Ease of getting an appointment. Other places called I needed to wait more than 4 months for an appointment.

#42025-06-12

The doctor didn't rush

#52026-01-23

Both Alana and Dr. Ringfeil listened to all of my concerns. Excellent doctor and office, will highly recommend.

#62011-05-25 10:21:24

I appreciated that Dr. Ringpfeil took the time to thoroughly explain everything we spoke about. She did not simply provide a professional opinion, she provided her opinion and supplemented it with an explanation that made everything clear to me. I felt like I was listened to and interacted with, rather than just spoken at (which has often been my experience with other dermatologists). Thank you!

#72025-11-10

Everyone was very nice!

#82025-05-14

Fast, fun, very pretty office, excellent art works

#92010-12-07 10:07:04

Yes, the doctor listened attentively to my description of symptoms and was authentically interested in helping me to resolve a skin issue that numerous specialist have not been able to identify.

#102025-10-02

See more patient answers >>

What can we do better?

(answers:373)

All my concerns were addressed, I was pleased.

#12011-03-11 11:53:21

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.

#22011-03-24 10:10:11

The lock on the door of the unisex bathroom is a little challenging in that you don't know whether it is locked or not. This was a little unnerving.

#32010-10-28 10:21:25

The entire visit was just perfect so I had no suggestions at this time.

#42010-10-05 12:14:11

Keep it up!

#52025-05-22

If you continue the same level of care that I received today, I will be thrilled.

#62025-07-29

My first time experience was great and there are no improvements that I can suggest at this time.

#72025-09-22

I have no suggestions. I am very pleased with ever aspect of my care

#82010-10-18 16:25:51

I was a bit embarressed by not knowing more information regarding my parents history. I believe it would have been better handled if I were asked to please get more info and then let the dr's office know.

#92025-10-11

I was impressed with every step of making the appointment to seeing the physician.

#102010-12-16 12:26:48

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Sclerotherapy

Overview:

Expected results:

Preparation:

Post treatment instructions:

Time to desired results:

Duration of desired effects:

Limitations:

Contraindications:

Downtime:

Selected Patient Questions and Answers

Sclerotherapy - Patients ask, Dr. Ringpfeil answers

Leave a Reply

PATIENT RATINGS

Would you recommend us?

Compare our service to other similar practices

Overall doctor performance

The doctor listened to you attentively

The doctor took time to answer your questions

The doctor explained treatment options

The doctor explained treatment options

Front desk performance

Aesthetician performance

Office comfort

Parking

Friendliness of the staff during appointment

What WE DID WELL

(Answers:674)

What can we do better?

(answers:373)