Treatments - General Dermatology
Sclerotherapy
What is it?
Sclerotherapy is the injection of a substance that irritates the vein in order to obtain its definitive obliteration and scarring.
To be used for what type of pathology?
Sclerosis of varicose veins is used for medium-sized varicose veins, reticular varicose veins or blue-coloured varicosities (red ones being treated preferentially with laser) as well as limited varicose veins in elderly people.
Immediate results ?
Sclerotherapy requires an occlusion (5 days of bandaging) and one month for stable results whereas laser treatment requires 2 months for the veins to disappear (but no bandaging).
Side effects and contraindications
Side effects are due to the poorly injected product: residual pigmentation, sun exposure after injection in the following month. Contraindications: known allergy to the sclerosing agent, systemic disease, recent thrombosis, bedridden patient.
Is it painful?
The technique is usually not painful provided it is performed by an experienced doctor.
How much does it cost?
It takes 1 to 2 sessions per leg. Each session includes about 2 to 3 ampoules of sclerosing agent (depending on their concentration). At each session, one leg is fully treated and bandaged for 5 days.
A range of estimates can be obtained during the consultation, as this is necessary to discuss the correct indication. Laser is often preferred as it does not require bandaging or post-treatment rest.
Partial reimbursement authorized by the mutual in most diagnoses.
