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- What Is Sclerotherapy?
- Spider Vein Symptoms
- Patient Stories To Legs Like New®
- Liquid Vs. Foam Sclerotherapy Treatment Options
- What To Expect After Sclerotherapy Treatment
- Sclerotherapy Locations Across Michigan
- Schedule A Consultation
- What Does Sclerotherapy Treat
- Board-certified Specialists That Practice With Care
- Frequently Asked Questions About Sclerotherapy
- Sclerotherapy Procedure At Miller Vein, Step By Step
- Expert insights
Sclerotherapy has been the gold standard for treating abnormal veins for decades, and for good reason. It is precise, effective, well-tolerated, and requires no downtime. Whether you are bothered by spider veins on your legs or face, dealing with reticular veins that feed visible surface clusters, or managing varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency, sclerotherapy offers a targeted, proven solution.
At Miller Vein, sclerotherapy is used across both our medical vein treatment program and our VeinErase® cosmetic spider vein treatment program. Our board-certified vein specialists and dedicated VeinErase® providers tailor every treatment plan to the specific veins, symptoms, and goals of each individual patient.
Compare this with treating spider veins to see which fits your veins best.
What Is Sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy, also known as endovenous chemical ablation (EVCA), is a minimally invasive vein treatment in which an FDA-approved chemical solution called a sclerosant is injected directly into an affected vein, causing it to close and eventually fade from view. The sclerosant irritates the inner lining of the vein wall, causing the walls to stick together and seal permanently shut. Once sealed, blood is naturally rerouted through the healthy veins surrounding it, and the treated vein is gradually broken down and reabsorbed by the body over the following weeks.
At Miller Vein, we use Asclera (polidocanol), an FDA-approved sclerosant with a well-established record of safety and effectiveness. Depending on the size and type of vein being treated, the medication is delivered either as a liquid solution for smaller vessels or as a foam preparation for larger or deeper veins that benefit from greater surface contact.
The procedure requires no incisions, no anesthesia beyond the very fine needle entry itself, and no downtime. Most sessions are completed in under thirty minutes, and patients walk out of the clinic and resume normal activities immediately.
Spider Vein Symptoms
For many people, spider veins are purely a cosmetic concern with no physical symptoms at all. For others, they can cause:
Our page covering what causes spider veins has the details.
- Itching or a burning sensation around the affected veins
- Mild swelling in the legs or ankles
- Aching or a sense of heaviness after prolonged standing or sitting
It is also worth knowing that spider veins can sometimes be an outward sign of an underlying condition, such as venous reflux disease (VRD) or chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). These conditions occur when the valves inside the veins stop functioning properly, causing blood to pool instead of flowing efficiently back toward the heart.
If you are experiencing leg pain, throbbing, heaviness, skin changes, or wounds that are slow to heal alongside your spider veins, a thorough vein evaluation is especially important. At Miller Vein, we screen for underlying vein conditions (including blood clots) at every visit to make sure your care plan addresses both the visible veins and any root causes.
Patient Stories to
Legs Like New®
The staff was wonderful and really took my concerns and put my mind at ease. I would definitely recommend them to everyone. Staff on time, and had my ultrasound done and saw the doctor and was out of the office start to finish 90 minutes, was first visit. The Dearborn office was wonderful.
— Theresa H.
Great visit to Miller Vein on 3/11. Very thorough explanation and the most wonderful tech in the world did my scans. She answered all my questions and concerns. Results of scans were provided in minutes. Would definitely return if I had a need and will refer my friends if they have a need.
— Joyce S.
The staff is so friendly. They explain well before they do anything. Dr Miller is awesome. Explains treatment and plan of care in detail. Answers all questions thoroughly. Had a very good consultation.
Highly recommend.
— Barb F.
Liquid vs. Foam Sclerotherapy Treatment Options
Not all sclerotherapy is the same. The preparation of the medication matters, and the right form depends on the size and characteristics of the vein being treated.
Liquid Sclerotherapy
Liquid sclerotherapy uses the sclerosant in its standard solution form. It is most effective for small veins, particularly spider veins and fine reticular veins, where the medication makes direct contact with the vein wall and produces reliable closure. Liquid sclerotherapy is the foundation of our VeinErase® spider vein treatment program.
Foam Sclerotherapy
Foam sclerotherapy is created by mixing the sclerosant with a small amount of air or gas using a specialized technique, producing a foam consistency. Foam displaces blood within the vein rather than mixing with it, allowing the medication to maintain direct, prolonged contact with the vein wall. It also spreads along the vessel in both directions from the injection point, treating a broader segment from a single entry.
Foam sclerotherapy is used for larger varicose veins, reticular veins with significant diameter, and in ultrasound-guided procedures where treating an extended vessel segment is the goal. It produces a more robust and thorough closure in vessels that would not respond adequately to liquid injection alone.
What to Expect After Sclerotherapy Treatment
Recovery from sclerotherapy is minimal for most patients. Here is what the days and weeks following your session typically look like.
In the first few days, mild bruising, slight redness, or small raised areas at the injection sites are all normal responses as the treated veins begin to close and the surrounding tissue responds to the sclerosant. These typically resolve within one to two weeks.
Treated veins do not disappear immediately. Over the weeks following treatment, closed veins gradually fade as the body breaks them down and absorbs the tissue. Spider veins typically begin showing noticeable fading within two to six weeks. Larger varicose veins may take somewhat longer to show visible improvement.
Some patients notice a temporary brownish discoloration at treated sites, caused by the breakdown of hemoglobin from red blood cells inside the closed vein. This typically fades over weeks to months. Wearing compression as directed and protecting treated areas from direct sun exposure during the healing period can help minimize this discoloration.
Most patients benefit from multiple sessions to achieve their best results. Your specialist will outline a realistic timeline and session plan based on your vein type and treatment goals.
Sclerotherapy Locations Across Michigan
Miller Vein offers both medical and cosmetic sclerotherapy at eight convenient locations throughout Michigan. We see patients at:
- Auburn Hills
- Dearborn
- Grand Rapids
- Holland
- Macomb
- Novi
- St. Clair Shores
- Troy
Our clinics are open Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
Schedule a Consultation
Whether you are seeking relief from the physical symptoms of varicose veins and CVI or looking to reduce the appearance of spider veins, sclerotherapy at Miller Vein delivers precise, proven results in a comfortable setting. Our specialists are ready to evaluate your veins, explain your options, and build a plan tailored to your goals. Schedule your consultation at Miller Vein today.
Board-Certified Specialists That Practice with Care
Our Dedicated Team
Frequently Asked Questions About Sclerotherapy
What is sclerotherapy and how does it work?
Is sclerotherapy painful?
How many sclerotherapy sessions are usually needed?
How soon will I see results after sclerotherapy?
What should I avoid after getting sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy Procedure at Miller Vein, Step by Step
Sclerotherapy is one of the most straightforward procedures we offer, and patients consistently tell us the experience was far easier than they expected. Here is an honest walkthrough of what to expect.
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Medical Sclerotherapy for Varicose Veins and CVI
For patients receiving sclerotherapy as part of a medical treatment plan, the session begins with a review of your treatment plan and any recent ultrasound findings. For ultrasound-guided procedures, the imaging equipment is set up and used throughout to guide needle placement and confirm accurate medication delivery. The skin over the treatment area is cleaned, and the sclerosant is injected into the targeted veins using a fine needle. Multiple injections are typically performed in a single session, treating the full extent of the affected area efficiently. The session takes approximately twenty to thirty minutes and requires no anesthesia beyond the brief sensation of each needle entry. Most patients describe the experience as mildly uncomfortable rather than painful.
- Cosmetic Sclerotherapy for Spider Veins Through VeinErase®
- After Your Session
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