How Long Does Foam Sclerotherapy Take To Work

Are you experiencing pain, discomfort, or other symptoms caused by the large varicose veins in your legs? Do you cringe at the mere sight of these noticeable lines that are visible through on the surface of your legs? Are you embarrassed to wear shorts, skirts, and bathing suits, or show off your legs in general?

If any of this sounds like you, it’s time to do something about those unsightly, annoying veins that are clearly having an effect on your well being, both physically and mentally.

Varicose veins are swollen veins that are located just beneath the surface of the skin, most commonly on the legs, and are caused by vein walls and valves that have been weakened or damaged. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, people who are at risk for varicose veins include those who are elderly, have an inactive lifestyle, sit or stand for long periods of time, are overweight or dealing with obesity, and have a family history of varicose veins or deep vein thrombosis. Pregnant women are also at risk, as are women who have gone through childbirth, especially more than one time. Varicose veins can also occur because of constipation or a tumor.

Varicose veins can cause symptoms such as an achy, heavy feeling in the legs, a burning or throbbing sensation, muscle cramping, swelling, heightened feelings of pain after sitting or standing for long periods of time, and unusual itchiness surrounding one or more of your veins. Visual cues include skin discoloration around the veins, veins that appear dark purple or blue, or veins that are twisted, bulging outward, or look like cords on the legs.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may want to consider foam sclerotherapy treatments to remove these large varicose veins from your legs.

Foam sclerotherapy refers to one of the types of sclerotherapy that uses a foam, rather than simply a medicated solution on its own, to treat large varicose veins. The medicated solution is mixed with small amounts of air in order to create a foam, which is then injected into the veins. The foam causes the lining of the vessel walls within the vein to bind together to form a clot. Blood is then forced to reroute in a new direction to reach healthy veins. Those treated veins will eventually dissipate and become absorbed by the body naturally, and brand new, healthy tissue grows in their place.

Foam sclerotherapy is a very exact, efficient, and effective way to remove large varicose veins. Your foam sclerotherapy doctor will use ultrasound imaging during the procedure to assist with the placement of the foam substance into the vein. That ultrasound guidance ensures that the foam hits the targeted vein and prevents excess foam from being used or wasted.

At Miami vein clinic, Fox Vein & Laser Experts, the diagnosis, treatment, and removal of veins is our specialty. We offer only the best vein treatments and procedures to our patients, and foam sclerotherapy is one of them. This is a very minimally invasive treatment that requires absolutely no surgery and no downtime. You read that right — you can have this treatment done and immediately go right back to your normal daily activities.

How Long Does Foam Sclerotherapy Take To Work

If you are considering foam sclerotherapy for the treatment of your varicose veins, the first step is to schedule a consultation with our medical team of vein experts. During this initial appointment, we will go over your medical history and your current health needs and goals in order to create a personalized treatment that is best for you.

Patients can start to see the results from their foam sclerotherapy treatments in about three or four months, but this does depend mostly on each person’s individual desired results. Multiple treatments may be needed in order to achieve your preferred result. Each of our patients’ treatment plans vary based on the intake of their personal health information, and the number of treatments needed will be determined on a case-by-case basis. What applies to one foam sclerotherapy patient will not always apply to another.

Our goal at Fox Vein & Laser Experts is not only to successfully provide you with vein treatment but to also make sure you are comfortable with your treatment plan both before and after the procedure has been done.

What are the Side Effects of Foam Sclerotherapy?

Foam sclerotherapy side effects are very minimal, but some patients could experience bruising, redness, skin sores, darkened skin, and tiny red blood vessels around the treatment site. These are temporary side effects, however, and should only last a few weeks. The procedure itself is virtually painless and lasts less than an hour, usually only about 30 or 45 minutes. Patients can return to their normal activities immediately following the treatment, as there is absolutely no downtime needed. These minor side effects should not deter you from going back to work, running errands, or doing whatever else you need to do following your appointment.

According to the Mayo Clinic, there are some cases where less common complications could arise that require further treatment. These rare side effects include inflammation, blood clots, air bubbles, or an allergic reaction. In the case of inflammation, this could be seen in the form of swelling, a warm sensation, or discomfort around the area that was injected with the foam substance. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to help reduce inflammation.

Blood clots can usually just be treated rather easily with drainage, however, they could become more serious if they move deeper into the leg and thus become what’s known as deep vein thrombosis. If you start to become dizzy, have trouble breathing, experience chest pain, or cough up blood, seek medical attention immediately.

Another rare side effect are air bubbles, which could appear in the bloodstream and cause things like visual disturbances, headaches, fainting, and nausea. Most of the time, patients will only experience these things for a very short amount of time, however, if you have trouble moving or lose feeling in your legs, seek medical attention.

Lastly, some patients may experience an allergic reaction to the foam substance used for the foam sclerotherapy treatment. Over-the-counter medications usually help with this.

In short, if you begin to feel anything out of the ordinary following your treatment, please make sure to alert your healthcare provider right away.

Schedule an Appointment for Foam Sclerotherapy

Dr. Susan Fox is a board-certified expert in the diagnosis and treatment of veins and has years and years of experience performing successful vein procedures on her patients who are suffering from varicose veins and other venous diseases. As you search for the best vein doctor in Miami to perform your foam sclerotherapy procedure or help you with any other vein problems you may be experiencing, Dr. Fox and her expert medical team are the best for the job. With offices in Pembroke Pines and Hollywood, we are here to help rid you of the discomfort and pain you are feeling because of your varicose veins.

To schedule an appointment for a consultation with one of our staff members, call us today at 954-627-1045 or request an appointment online.