
Sclerotherapy
Visual Sclerotherapy
Your body is home to a vast network of veins that facilitate blood circulation throughout your body, day-in and day-out, bringing vital nutrients to your tissues and organs. Unfortunately, a cosmetic and medical concern can arise in your veins if something goes wrong. Circulating blood throughout your body requires a lot of energy output from your veins because they need to work against the forces of gravity. Vein valves are in place to prevent blood from flowing backward, but they can potentially become damaged, resulting in spider veins and small varicose veins.
Fortunately, highly effective treatments like sclerotherapy exist and have been used for decades to treat these unsightly red and purple visible veins. Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical procedure that can drastically improve the appearance of your spider veins or varicose veins. The quick treatment requires no downtime and can relieve your image and restore your confidence.
If you suffer from spider veins or varicose veins, Tennessee Vein Center can help. Please schedule a consultation by contacting us at (865) 233-5858 or visiting our contact page. We are located near Knoxville, TN.

WHAT IS VISUAL SCLEROTHERAPY?
Visual sclerotherapy is a versatile minimally invasive method of treating varicose veins and spider veins. As the name implies, visual sclerotherapy is performed on veins that we can see with our naked eyes. This technique is most often used on spider veins since these veins are close to the surface of our skin and easily seen.
A medication called a sclerosant is injected into the damaged vein through a small needle. These small injections are made along the course of the vein until the entire length of the unwanted vein is treated. The sclerosant causes the treated vein to close down, and, with time, the abnormal vein is reabsorbed by the body. The blood is rerouted from the damaged to normal-functioning veins.
WHAT TYPES OF SCLEROSANTS ARE USED?
Tennessee Vein Center uses two FDA-approved sclerosants: polidocanol and sodium tetradecyl sulfate. Both of these sclerosants have long been proven as safe and effective, and they do not cause the burning and cramping associated with saline injections, making treatment much more comfortable.
After treatment we encourage you to resume your normal activities. You may notice some bruising after treatment, and a mild redness where the veins were treated. If bruising occurs it typically goes away within 2 weeks. The healing process takes time, and we tell every patient that it is normal for your veins to sometimes look worse before they start to look better.
WHAT VEINS CAN BE TREATED WITH VISUAL SCLEROTHERAPY?
Sclerotherapy is a versatile treatment option for unwanted veins and can treat a variety of vein types, including:
- Green or blue reticular veins
- Pink or red telangiectasias (spider veins)
- Purple telangiectasias (spider veins)
- Leg veins
- Arm and hand veins
- Chest, breast and back veins
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF SCLEROTHERAPY?
- Green or blue reticular veins
- Pink or red telangiectasias (spider veins)
- Purple telangiectasias (spider veins)
- Leg veins
- Arm and hand veins
- Chest, breast and back veins
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AT MY SCLEROTHERAPY CONSULTATION?
The first step in evaluating varicose, spider veins or symptoms suggestive of venous insufficiency is to schedule a medical consultation or free screening with Tennessee Vein Center. Once you and your medical history have been evaluated, a tailored treatment plan will be provided.
For some patients, just visual sclerotherapy is needed, while others may require ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy in conjunction with endovenous thermal ablation treatment. Most insurers require a documented trial of conservative treatment before approving the thermal ablation procedure. As part of the evaluation, you will be measured for or prescribed a medical-grade compression hose.
HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR MY TREATMENT?
Before your procedure, you should avoid taking blood-thinning medications as well as aspirin and ibuprofen for about one week. Avoid smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol in the two days leading up to your treatment, and do not tan or use self-tanning lotions in the treatment area.
On the day of your procedure, you should:
- Shower and use antibacterial soap to wash your legs
- Avoid shaving and the use of lotion on your legs
- Wear or bring a pair of loose-fitting shorts (we can provide disposable shorts if needed)
- Bring your compression hose
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
- Remember it is fine to eat on the day of your sclerotherapy procedure
– You may want to avoid eating a heavy meal just prior to treatment
– You may want to consider having a light snack before treatment starts if it has been several hours since you last ate
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT DURING MY VISUAL SCLEROTHERAPY PROCEDURE?
Pre-treatment photographs are done to document your before and after sclerotherapy results. Treatment sessions take approximately 30 minutes, making this a great “lunch-time treatment” option.
At the beginning of your treatment, we’ll have you lie down with your legs slightly elevated. The area will be cleansed and sterilized, and a topical anesthetic may be used for your comfort.
Dr. Campbell will carefully inject the sclerosant solution into the target blood vessels using a fine needle. The solution will cause the walls of the vein to become tacky and stick together, causing the vein to close.
HOW MANY INJECTIONS WILL I NEED FOR EACH SCLEROTHERAPY TREATMENT?
Some small veins may need just one injection to be treated, but thicker and longer veins may need multiple sclerotherapy injections. During your personal consultation, we will be able to give you an idea of how many injections you will need based on the size and location of your affected veins.
HOW LONG DOES THE PROCEDURE TAKE?
The entire sclerotherapy treatment process can be completed in as little as 15 minutes. Some treatments may take 30 minutes. Overall, patients generally spend less than an hour at our office from start to finish.
WHAT IS THE VISUAL SCLEROTHERAPY RECOVERY PROCESS LIKE?
WEAR YOUR COMPRESSION HOSE
Immediately after your visual sclerotherapy injections, we will let your legs rest for five minutes prior to having you put on your compression hose. It is important for you to wear your medical-grade compression hose for five to seven days after sclerotherapy. Compression hosiery helps your circulation and serves to reduce swelling, inflammation and complications while also helping to speed healing.
WALK REGULARLY
During this healing process, walking and normal daily activities are strongly encouraged. This light movement aids in circulation to prevent blood clots and encourages healing.
EXPECT SOME MANAGEABLE BRUISING AND SORENESS
Bruising, minor soreness, redness and tenderness along the course of the treated vein(s) are common. We recommend Arnicare® Gel or Cream to help reduce the bruising. If needed, the mild discomfort can be relieved by an over-the-counter pain reliever.
Some patients also develop temporary small skin sores and raised red areas. These should resolve within a few days to weeks.
NO DOWNTIME IS NEEDED, BUT TAKE IT EASY INITIALLY
You can resume normal daily activities immediately after the procedure, but you should avoid extremely strenuous activities for a few days.
WHEN WILL I SEE THE RESULTS OF MY SCLEROTHERAPY?
Small veins, such as spider veins, will disappear in about three to six weeks after your treatment. Larger veins like varicose veins may take three to four months to close and no longer be visible. Most patients experience relief from the symptoms of their venous defects, such as swelling, aching, burning and cramps, within a few weeks.
The healing process takes time, and we tell every patient that it is normal for your veins to sometimes look worse before they start to look better.
HOW LONG DO SCLEROTHERAPY RESULTS LAST?
The veins closed with sclerotherapy will be permanently eliminated from the body, providing long-lasting results. However, new spider veins or varicose veins can develop in the treatment area, which may make subsequent treatments over the years necessary to maintain your results.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SCLEROTHERAPY
HOW MUCH DOES SCLEROTHERAPY COST?
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ 2020 statistics, the average U.S. surgeon’s fee for sclerotherapy was $413. This price does not include other costs associated with the procedure, such as facility fees, anesthesia fees and compression garments.
At your consultation, we can provide you with the specific cost of your sclerotherapy treatment.
WHO IS A GOOD SCLEROTHERAPY CANDIDATE?
Sclerotherapy is an exceptional treatment if you are experiencing venous insufficiency, a condition in which the veins in the legs have difficulty sending blood back to the heart. Compression stockings can be used to get the issue under control, but sclerotherapy may be a necessary intervention for some sufferers. If you do not have venous insufficiency but struggle with spider veins on your legs, sclerotherapy can still be incredibly beneficial.
If you are breastfeeding or pregnant, you should not undergo sclerotherapy.
During an initial consultation, we can assess your health and your veins’ state to ensure that sclerotherapy will be a beneficial treatment.
ARE SCLEROTHERAPY INJECTIONS PAINFUL?
Visual sclerotherapy is well tolerated by most patients. It is generally described as feeling like small pin pricks, a sensation that lasts very briefly.
Because of the nature of this minimally invasive procedure, sclerotherapy doesn’t require general anesthesia, meaning you will be awake during treatment. Similar to other injections, such as with vaccinations, you may experience some discomfort when the sclerotherapy needle is inserted. For your comfort, topical numbing cream may be used before treatment begins. The sclerosing solution also contains numbing medication to reduce pain from the injections.
HOW MANY SCLEROTHERAPY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?
In general, most patients need two to four treatments to eliminate visible veins in a particular area. The number of sessions you’ll need will be based on the size and number of vascular malformations you have.
At your consultation we will thoroughly examine your legs and provide an estimated number of sessions we anticipate you needing based upon your concerns.
HOW LONG DO I NEED TO WAIT BETWEEN SCLEROTHERAPY TREATMENTS?
Since your results after each treatment can take several weeks to develop, we recommend spacing your treatment sessions out every three to six weeks.
DO I NEED THE VEINS THAT ARE CLOSED WITH SCLEROTHERAPY?
One of the more common questions regarding the treatment of varicose and spider veins is, “Do I need these veins?” The answer is NO for several reasons:
- These damaged veins are not functioning properly to return blood back to the heart
- Varicose and spider veins cause damage to other good veins
- Refluxing veins are often “stealing” blood that should be directed back to the heart, causing healthy veins to try to compensate for the damaged ones
In addition to having miles of superficial veins in your leg, you also have a deep set of veins within your muscles
In other words, varicose and spider veins are not functioning properly, and your body will be better off without them after treatment. They are working against the healthy veins, and they can cause damage to the healthy veins.
DOES SCLEROTHERAPY REALLY WORK?
Sclerotherapy is an extremely effective treatment for spider veins and varicose veins. It has been shown as successful in 75 to 90 percent of patients.
View our sclerotherapy before and after pictures in our photo gallery to see our patient results and what this impressive procedure can do.
WHAT IF SCLEROTHERAPY ISN’T RIGHT FOR ME?
If sclerotherapy isn’t the best treatment for your varicose or spider veins, we can recommend other treatments that might work better for you. These may include endovenous thermal ablation, surface laser treatment or another approach.
At your consultation, we will discuss all of your options and the benefits and risks of each to help you choose what’s right for your needs.
WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS OF SCLEROTHERAPY?
You can expect to have some temporary swelling and bruising after your procedure. Rare but more severe side effects of sclerotherapy may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Discomfort and inflammation in the treated area
- Skin infection
- Blood clots in the target veins
- Air bubbles in your bloodstream
- An allergic reaction to the sclerosing medication
Discuss any concerns you might have about possible side effects with your doctor before treatment.
While possible, these risks are very uncommon, and Dr. Campbell takes every precaution to reduce your risk of developing any issues.
WHY CHOOSE DR. CAMPBELL AND THE TENNESSEE VEIN CENTER FOR SCLEROTHERAPY?
At Tennessee Vein Center, we develop lasting relationships with our patients and care about their long-term goals and vein health. Dr. Campbell prioritizes providing quality care rather than hurrying through a higher quantity of patients. He takes the time to listen to your concerns, evaluate your condition, walk you through your treatment options and answer any questions you may have.
WHY CHOOSE DR. CAMPBELL AND THE TENNESSEE VEIN CENTER FOR SCLEROTHERAPY?
At Tennessee Vein Center, we develop lasting relationships with our patients and care about their long-term goals and vein health. Dr. Campbell prioritizes providing quality care rather than hurrying through a higher quantity of patients. He takes the time to listen to your concerns, evaluate your condition, walk you through your treatment options and answer any questions you may have.
Dr. Campbell and each member of our knowledgeable staff are committed to providing the most effective treatments and making sure every patient feels comfortable and cared for, at our Alcoa, TN, location, just outside of Knoxville.
RELIEVE YOUR IMAGE OF SPIDER VEINS WITH VISUAL SCLEROTHERAPY AT TENNESSEE VEIN CENTER
Developing spider veins can be disheartening. The condition can cause you distress and may be discomforting, as it prevents you from confidently wearing your favorite clothing or showing your legs in public.
We don’t want your spider veins to hold you back from living your life how you want. That’s why we offer visual sclerotherapy, a successful spider vein treatment that has helped many across the world regain their confidence by relieving their image of spider veins.
If you struggle with spider veins, please, call us today at (865) 233-5858, or visit our contact page to learn more. We can assess your venous concerns and determine if sclerotherapy would benefit you.
