How Long Does Sclerotherapy Take to Work?

How Does Sclerotherapy Work?

During your sclerotherapy treatment, Dr. Dohner will inject your varicose or spider veins with a small needle. He will inject from one of three different medications, including Varithena®, an advanced sclerotherapy foam. This foam damages the walls of the treated vein, causing it to collapse. Your body will instantly reroute that vein’s blood flow, allowing your body to absorb the vein and make it disappear over time. 

How Long Does Sclerotherapy Take to Work?

Sclerotherapy works very quickly to close the treated vein. However, your body needs time to remove the remaining pigments. You may see smaller veins begin to lighten within three to five days. Spider veins may fade entirely within a few weeks, while larger varicose veins can take up to three or four months. 

Many veins, such as large varicose veins or clusters of spider veins, require two or three treatments to fade completely. Dr. Dohner may recommend laser treatments to address the underlying feeder veins or very small spider veins. Each person’s vein treatment plan differs based on their needs since each person’s body will remove treated veins at a different rate. Larger bulging varicose veins will often be removed more quickly with ambulatory phlebectomy, a minor procedure that provides immediate results.