Varicose Vein Treatment Options 101

More about Sclerotherapy
  • J at RS
  • Seattle, WA
  • Created: June 9, 2015

Vein treatment options have been increasing, but which is right for you? Here is a breakdown of the biggest vein treatments on RealSelf.




What are varicose veins?
Arteries bring oxygenated blood to the cells of your body, while veins bring the deoxygenated blood back to the heart. Both arteries and veins have one-way valves to keep blood moving in one direction. Veins in the lower body must move blood against the pressure of gravity, which over time can create excess pressure on the valves and cause blood to not properly move towards the heart and pool. This pooling causes unsightly varicose veins but also cause pain and throbbing in the legs and ankles. Dr. John Landi explains it well with this analogy: “think of your veins like a tree with the trunk containing the valves. If the valves malfunction then the venous pressure backs up and this leads to the blood being directed into the branches rather than up the trunk resulting in varicose veins. This process is called venous insufficiency with reflux.”

Risk factors for varicose veins are both hereditary and lifestyle related, Dr. Charles K Lee explains: “the most common causes of varicose veins is largely genetic with a higher female prevalance. Lifestyle issues with pregnancy, obesity, and work (people who stand on their feet all day), can tip the balance to forming varicose veins.” Image courtesy of Dr. Joel Gotvald

Is there any way to prevent varicose veins?
The short answer is no, although you can take measures to reduce the risk. Dr. Vincent N. Zubowicz explains: “avoiding standing for long periods, compression hose, leg elevation when at rest all can help in delaying and slowing the progression of varicose veins. However, there is nothing that can be done to eliminate the problem. The integrity of the valves has a genetic component as well. When they do emerge, however, there are forms of treatment but they tend to be a life long problem.

What are the treatment options?
It is always a good idea to find a qualified doctor and seek a consultation to see what they recommend is best for you, but here are some of the more popular treatment options on RealSelf.  Are you scheduled for any of these or have you tried them?  Share with our community and write a review about your experience.


 Varithena is a prescription medicine used to treat the appearance of varicose veins and the symptoms associated with them. Varithena is delivered through a catheter or directly injected into the affected vein. Bandages are worn for the first 48 hours after treatment, and a compression stocking for the first 14 days. While some people only need a single treatment, additional treatments might be needed depending on the number and size of veins being treated. 

 It is nonsurgical and involves local injections of a numbing agent. It typically takes less than an hour. Post-treatment includes wearing bandages for 48 hours and compression stockings for two weeks. Heavy exercise can be resumed after one week, while walking at least 10 minutes a day and avoiding inactivity are recommended for the first month.


VenaSeal is an FDA-approved system used to permanently treat varicose veins close to the surface of the skin. A catheter is inserted through the skin, and a small amount of medical glue is injected into the affected vein. Once the vein is sealed, blood that was once backed up gets re-routed to other healthy veins in the leg. The treatment is indicated for varicose veins that produce mild to moderate symptoms such as pain, blood clots, or skin ulcers.

 It is the only non-thermal procedure approved in the U.S. and is believed to eliminate the risk of nerve damage associated with heat related procedures.



EVLT (EndoVenous Laser Treatment) is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat varicose veins. A probe is inserted into the affected vein, which then sends laser energy inside and along the length of the vein. This energy damages the vein, collapsing it so that blood can no longer flow through it. Blood is then re-routed into other healthy veins in the leg. EVLT requires no downtime, but bandages and compression stockings may be worn for up to three weeks after treatment.
The makers of EVLT claim it has up to a 98% success rate, which is far higher than average for other vein treatments.
ClariVein is a specialty catheter used to inject various medical fluids into the blood vessels. It's several time smaller than other devices and has a 360-degree rotating tip, which allows for controlled coverage of the fluid. Procedures that use ClariVein have been shown to take less time, reduce pain, and minimize bruising.
 The makers of ClariVein claim that patients reported significantly less pain than other treatments and that they can return to normal activities quickly.
Have you tried any vein treatments for varicose veins?  Please write a review and share your experience with the community.