What to Expect After Cosmetic Sclerotherapy
Cosmetic sclerotherapy is a fantastic way to say goodbye to bothersome spider and varicose veins. But what happens after the procedure? Recovery isn't a one-size-fits-all journey, but we can give you a clear roadmap of what to expect as your legs transform.
The Treatment Day: Getting Started
Before we even begin, your skin gets a numbing boost with lidocaine lotion for about an hour. This helps make the process as comfortable as possible. We then carefully evaluate your veins.
This is where the art of the procedure comes in, and it can vary by provider. I typically start with foam cosmetic sclerotherapy on larger, more prominent blue veins, working from less sensitive areas to more sensitive ones. You'll actually see those visible veins disappear right before your eyes! This happens because the sclerosing agent we inject pushes the trapped blood out of sight. Then, fine spider veins are treated with a liquid sclerosant.
Immediately after the procedure, you might notice your injection sites look a bit like mosquito bites—slightly raised, red with a dark center, and possibly itchy. Don't worry, that's normal! You'll wear the compression stockings immediately after the procedure, which are a crucial part of your recovery, so get ready to wear them!
The First Two Weeks: Bruising and Beyond
This is often the trickiest part of the recovery, so try not to look at your legs every day! For the first 1 to 14 days, your treated veins will likely look bruised, darker, and more prominent, often appearing dark navy blue or maroon.
It's very common for people to worry during this phase, thinking new veins have popped up. Rest assured, this is part of the healing process as the vein walls are chemically irritated by the solution.
During this period, consistency with your compression stockings is key. Wear them from 7 AM to 7 PM every day. Seriously, this makes a huge difference!
Weeks 2 to 4: Hazy and Healing
As you move into the 15 to 30-day mark, you'll start to see a positive change. Your veins will become hazy, and if you press on them, they'll remain unchanged. This is a great sign that the veins have successfully closed. Keep up the good work with your compression stockings; wearing them as much as possible will continue to aid your recovery.
Months 1 to 3: Fading into the Future
From day 30 up to about three months, you'll see a significant improvement, with 30-50% fading, especially at the center of the treated spider veins.
The Journey to Optimal Results
Achieving your desired results often takes a few sessions, typically 3-4 treatments. For the best outcome, we recommend choosing a vein clinic that performs a high volume of these procedures and uses FDA-approved agent.
In our clinic, we use Asclera (polidocanol), which is FDA-approved for cosmetic sclerotherapy and requires a physician's license. Another agent that is frequently used elsewhere is hypertonic saline, which is NOT FDA-approved.
Remember, this procedure is highly operator-dependent. The skill and attention to detail of your provider, their knowledge of anatomy, and their attentiveness to your concerns all play a big role in the quality of your results.
And here's the golden rule for recovery: your commitment to wearing compression stockings after treatment is 90% of your recovery. The more motivated you are to wear them, the better your results will be!
Ready to take the next step toward smoother, clearer legs?
