Sclerotherapy Injections in Oviedo, FL

Sclerotherapy is the gold-standard, minimally invasive treatment for eliminating spider veins and small-to-medium varicose veins. During the procedure, a sclerosing solution is injected directly into the affected vein, causing it to collapse, seal shut, and gradually be reabsorbed by your body. No general anesthesia is required, and most patients return to normal activities the same day [1].

At Vein Health Clinics, board-certified vascular surgeon Dr. Obinna Nwobi, MD, MPH, performs both liquid sclerotherapy and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy — allowing us to treat everything from small spider veins on the surface to larger, deeper varicose veins. Treatment is performed in-office at five Central Florida locations.

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What Is Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure in which a physician injects a specialized solution — called a sclerosant — directly into a diseased vein using a very fine needle. The sclerosant irritates the inner lining of the vein wall, causing it to swell, stick together, and seal shut. Over the following weeks, the closed vein is naturally reabsorbed by your body, and blood flow is rerouted through nearby healthy veins [1][2].

Sclerotherapy has been used to treat vein disease for nearly a century. It remains the treatment of choice for spider veins (telangiectasias), reticular veins, and small varicose veins — and when performed as foam sclerotherapy under ultrasound guidance, it can also effectively treat larger varicose veins [1][3].

Sources: [1] “Sclerotherapy,” StatPearls (National Library of Medicine), updated 2024. [2] Cleveland Clinic, “Sclerotherapy: Treatment & Recovery” (2023). [3] 2025 SCAI Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Chronic Venous Disease.

Types of Sclerotherapy at Vein Health Clinics

Liquid Sclerotherapy

Liquid sclerotherapy is the standard technique for treating spider veins and smaller reticular veins close to the skin surface. The sclerosant is injected in liquid form through a very fine needle — often no larger than a hair — directly into the visible vein. No ultrasound guidance is typically needed because these veins are visible on the skin surface.

• Best suited for: spider veins (telangiectasias) and reticular veins
• Treatment time: approximately 15–30 minutes per session
• No anesthesia required
• Spider veins typically respond in 3–6 weeks [2]

Ultrasound-Guided Foam Sclerotherapy

For larger varicose veins or deeper veins that cannot be seen on the surface, Dr. Nwobi uses ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy. In this technique, the sclerosant is mixed with a small amount of air to create a microfoam. The foam has several advantages over liquid:

• Greater surface area — foam bubbles spread along the vein wall, increasing contact time with the vessel lining [1]
• Better visibility on ultrasound — the foam is clearly visible on real-time ultrasound imaging, allowing Dr. Nwobi to guide it precisely to the target vein
• Effective for larger veins — foam treats veins too large for liquid sclerotherapy alone
• Higher occlusion rates — clinical studies demonstrate total occlusion rates of 92 percent with foam versus 76 percent with liquid sclerotherapy [4]

Sources: [4] Ukritmanoroat et al., foam vs. liquid sclerotherapy randomized controlled trial; summarized in CADTH Rapid Response Report, “Foam Sclerotherapy for Treatment of Varicose Veins” (2015).

How Does Sclerotherapy Work? Step-by-Step

Before your procedure:

• Dr. Nwobi performs a comprehensive vein evaluation, including a duplex ultrasound examination if deeper veins are involved
• You will be asked about your medical history, medications, allergies, and any previous vein treatments
• Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, and other blood-thinning medications for 48 hours prior to treatment (acetaminophen is acceptable for pain relief) [2]
• Do not apply lotion to your legs on the day of the procedure

During the procedure:

1. You lie comfortably on an exam table. The treatment area is cleaned with antiseptic solution.
2. Using a very fine needle, Dr. Nwobi injects the sclerosant directly into the targeted vein. For foam sclerotherapy, real-time ultrasound imaging guides the injection.
3. You may feel a mild stinging or cramping sensation at the injection site — this is brief and typically well-tolerated without anesthesia.
4. Depending on the number of veins being treated, multiple injections may be performed during a single session.
5. After injection, compression is immediately applied to the treated area.

A typical session takes 15–45 minutes depending on the number and size of veins being treated.

After your procedure:

• You can walk out of the office and drive yourself home
• Walking is encouraged immediately and during recovery — it promotes circulation and healing [2]
• Wear compression stockings as directed (typically 3–7 days for spider veins; longer for larger veins) [2]
• Avoid hot baths, saunas, whirlpools, and direct sun exposure on treated areas for 48 hours
• Avoid strenuous exercise for 2–3 days
• Spider veins typically fade within 3–6 weeks; larger varicose veins may take 3–4 months [2][5]

For a detailed guide on what to expect, read: What to Expect From Your First Sclerotherapy Appointment

Sources: [5] Mayo Clinic, “Sclerotherapy” (2024).

What Conditions Does Sclerotherapy Treat?

Sclerotherapy is effective for a range of venous conditions:

Spider Veins (Telangiectasias) Small, web-like clusters of red, blue, or purple veins visible on the skin surface — most commonly on the legs, ankles, and sometimes the face. Sclerotherapy permanently closes these veins and is considered the gold-standard treatment [1]. Learn more: Are Spider Veins a Health Concern?

Reticular Veins Slightly larger blue-green veins (1–3 mm) that often feed spider vein clusters. Treating these “feeder veins” helps prevent spider veins from recurring.

Small-to-Medium Varicose Veins Bulging, rope-like veins that may cause aching, heaviness, or swelling. Sclerotherapy can treat smaller varicose veins directly, and foam sclerotherapy can address medium-sized varicose veins that are not large enough to require endovenous ablation. Learn more: Sclerotherapy vs. Endovenous Ablation: Which Is Better?

Residual Veins After Ablation After endovenous ablation treats the main trunk vein causing reflux, sclerotherapy is commonly used as a follow-up procedure to close smaller remaining varicose and spider veins.

Veins Related to Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) When CVI causes visible surface veins, sclerotherapy may be part of a comprehensive treatment plan that also addresses the underlying valve dysfunction. Learn more: Spotting the Warning Signs of CVI

Is Sclerotherapy Safe?

Sclerotherapy is considered a very safe procedure with a long track record. It has been used to treat veins since the 1930s and remains one of the most commonly performed vascular procedures in the world [1][3].

Like any medical procedure, sclerotherapy carries some potential side effects — most of which are mild, temporary, and resolve on their own:

Common (mild and temporary):

• Bruising at the injection site — typically fades within days to weeks [2]
• Redness or tenderness around the treated vein — resolves within a few days
• Temporary darkening (hyperpigmentation) — brown spots or lines at the injection site that usually fade within 3–6 months [2]
• Small, firm lumps — treated veins may feel hard or lumpy for several weeks as they are reabsorbed

Less common:

• Matting — tiny new blood vessels appearing near the treated area; these usually fade within months without additional treatment [2]
• Allergic reaction to the sclerosant — rare; symptoms may include itching or hives at the injection site

Rare but serious:

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) — a blood clot in a deep vein. The risk is very low but is slightly higher in patients with a history of clotting disorders [1][5]

Seek immediate emergency medical care if you experience sudden chest pain, difficulty breathing, or a painful, red, swollen leg after sclerotherapy. These could be signs of DVT or pulmonary embolism — call 911 immediately.

How Many Sessions Will I Need?

The number of sclerotherapy sessions depends on the extent and severity of your veins:

• Spider veins: Most patients see significant improvement after 1–3 sessions [2]
• Reticular veins: Typically require 1–3 sessions
• Small varicose veins: May require 2–4 sessions
• Larger varicose veins (foam sclerotherapy): May require 2–4 sessions spaced several weeks apart

Sessions are typically spaced 4–6 weeks apart to allow your body to reabsorb the treated veins and to evaluate your response before proceeding with additional treatment.

During your initial consultation, Dr. Nwobi will examine your veins, review your ultrasound results (if applicable), and recommend a personalized treatment plan with an estimated number of sessions.

Sclerotherapy vs. Other Vein Treatments

Sclerotherapy and endovenous ablation are complementary, not competing, treatments. For patients with both underlying vein reflux and visible surface veins, Dr. Nwobi may recommend ablation first to address the root cause, followed by sclerotherapy to clear remaining spider or varicose veins.

For a detailed comparison, read: Sclerotherapy vs. Endovenous Ablation: Which Is Better?

Your Sclerotherapy Specialist

Dr. Obinna Nwobi, MD, MPH is a board-certified vascular surgeon and the founder of Vein Health Clinics. He earned his Master of Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and his medical degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. After completing a general surgery residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Dr. Nwobi pursued a vascular surgery fellowship at the Vascular Group PLLC and Albany Medical Center in New York.

Dr. Nwobi has performed thousands of sclerotherapy procedures and brings both surgical expertise and a patient-centered approach to every treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does sclerotherapy hurt? Most patients describe a mild stinging or burning sensation at the injection site that lasts only a few seconds. No general anesthesia is needed, and the fine needles used are comparable in size to an acupuncture needle. Most patients tolerate the procedure very well.

Is sclerotherapy permanent? Yes — the treated veins are permanently closed and reabsorbed by your body. They will not return. However, sclerotherapy does not prevent new spider or varicose veins from developing in the future, because the underlying factors (genetics, aging, hormones) remain. Periodic maintenance sessions can address any new veins that appear over time.

Do veins look worse after sclerotherapy? It is normal for treated veins to appear darker or more visible for 2–4 weeks after the procedure. This is part of the healing process — the vein is inflamed and closing. Most patients see full fading within 3–6 months. Rarely, temporary hyperpigmentation may last up to 12 months. Read our full guide: What to Expect From Your First Sclerotherapy Appointment

How soon will I see results? Spider veins typically fade within 3–6 weeks. Larger veins may take 3–4 months to fully resolve. Some patients see improvement after a single session; others need multiple treatments for optimal results [2][5].

Can sclerotherapy treat large varicose veins? Foam sclerotherapy under ultrasound guidance can treat larger varicose veins. For very large veins with significant underlying reflux, Dr. Nwobi may recommend endovenous ablation as the first step, followed by sclerotherapy for remaining surface veins.

Is sclerotherapy covered by insurance? When sclerotherapy is performed to treat symptomatic varicose veins — those causing pain, swelling, skin changes, or other medical complications — it may be covered by insurance. Treatment of spider veins for purely cosmetic reasons is generally not covered. During your consultation, our team will review your coverage and help you understand your options.

What is the difference between liquid and foam sclerotherapy? Liquid sclerotherapy works well for small spider veins and reticular veins near the skin surface. Foam sclerotherapy is used for larger or deeper veins — the foam’s thicker consistency and greater surface area allow it to treat bigger vessels more effectively. Dr. Nwobi will recommend the appropriate technique based on your ultrasound evaluation.

Can I exercise after sclerotherapy? Walking is encouraged immediately after treatment. Avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and high-impact activities for 2–3 days. After that, you can gradually return to your normal exercise routine. Staying active supports healthy circulation and recovery.

Ready to eliminate your spider veins or varicose veins?

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Obinna Nwobi at any of our five Central Florida locations:

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