New sclerosants, the development of foam sclerotherapy and other technique modifications to standard sclerotherapy have allow dermatologists to treat larger-diameter vessels with increased therapeutic efficacy.
Foam sclerosing agents are used for the management of:
- Reticular veins
- Truncal varicosities
- Short and long saphenous vein incompetence
The advantage of foam sclerotherapy is that a given concentration of liquid, when in foam form, has a greater potency than more traditional liquid sclerosant formulations. In addition, fewer treatment sessions are often necessary to treat a given surface area of vessels.
Foam Sclerotherapy Treatment
During the procedure, your dermatologist may use foam agents, such as sodium tetradecyl sulfate or polidocanol, the former having FDA approval only in standard liquid form.
Here’s how the standard procedure works:
Your dermatologist examines the area considered for treatment using physical examination and duplex ultrasound examination, carefully noting the maximal vessel diameter and the range of vessels.
The sclerosants are then chosen based on vessel size. Your dermatologist prepares and labels the sclerosants by type and concentration. Starting with the largest diameter vessels, the injection of the foam sclerosant is administered. Smaller-diameter vessels are treated next, using lower concentration sclerosants. The injection causes the veins to collapse and close, eventually being replaced by scar tissue.
Recovery After Foam Sclerotherapy
After the procedure, your doctor will provide a compression garment to improve results and minimize complications. You will be advised to walk or move about immediately.
The compression garment should be graduated and comfortably fitting and should be applied and worn at least during waking hours for a minimum of three days and a maximum of three to four weeks.
To learn more about Foam Sclerotherapy, contact our New York dermatology or Great Neck dermatology offices.
