Sclerotherapy in Iran: All You Need to Know

With the advent of medical tourism, affordable treatment is not a myth anymore. If you look beyond the borders of your country, many options will grab your attention. With a long successful history of cosmetic/medical treatments, Iran would be one of them.

Read on to understand what this procedure is, how it is done, whether Iran is a perfect place for getting this treatment, and the like.

What Is Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical treatment during which medicine is injected into blood vessels or lymph vessels and as a consequence, the infected vessels contract.

This procedure is commonly used to treat varicose veins, spider veins, hemorrhoids, or other similar ailments.

The said procedure only requires an injection to the afflicted vessels. It involves the direct injection of a solution called sclerosant into a vein causing irritation.

The solution irritates the vessel, leading to swelling of the site of the injection which, in turn, blocks the flow of the supply of blood or the lymphatic fluid, as a result of which the vessel shrinks.

What does sclerotherapy treat?

Sclerotherapy can simply treat the following conditions:

• Spider veins: the dilated blood vessels beneath the skin which usually appear on the face, neck, or legs. They do not involve any pain or problem. So, people intend to treat them for cosmetic purposes.
• Varicose veins: the enlarged veins which are most often observed on the legs. They may occur without an obvious reason. However, they are mostly considered to appear as a result of obesity or during pregnancy, and some other conditions.
• Hemorrhoids: this is one type of varicose veins which occurs in the lower part of rectum and anus.
• Hydrocele: it refers to the condition in which serous fluid is accumulated within the scrotum.

Is Iran a perfect destination to get your sclerotherapy done in?

There are many reasons people may decide to go to Iran: the culture, architecture, weather, and food. But now for healthcare; especially when it has something to do with their beauty.

In recent years, beauty has become a matter of life in Iran. Iranian men and women have shown great interest in undergoing beauty enhancement procedures. This creates a space for both national and international patients to get their treatments done in the hands of some experienced doctors and surgeons.

In Iran, the clinics are more advanced than ever. You can easily find a well-equipped clinic in every corner of the country from the big capital, Tehran to smaller cities like Yazd, Shiraz, Ahwaz, Mashhad, etc.

Furthermore, the unbelievable prices of trip and treatment in Iran have caught the eyes of many. People can stay for 3-4 weeks in the country and get their high-quality cosmetic/medical procedure done with the lowest possible budget.

If you’re still in doubt about your trip in Iran, a look into our international patients’ reviews will give you a better understanding.

Cost of SCLEROTHERAPY IN IRAN

Depending on the number of veins which need to be treated and how large they are, one could have sclerotherapy in Iran for the approximate price of $150 per treatment. This is while the same procedure would cost up to several hundred dollars higher in most other countries.

How is sclerotherapy performed?

Sclerotherapy is done in a doctor’s office or clinic. The procedure takes less than an hour. It surely requires consultation with a doctor to identify the problematic vein. Anesthesia or any other special sort of preparation is not needed, however.

During the procedure, the patient would lie on their back and have their legs in an elevated position. The doctor would inject the needle to apply the solution which might hurt a little bit.

All in all, the whole procedure is mostly pain-free and simple. The doctor is expected to apply pressure on the site of the injection to inhibit blood from re-entering the vessel.

What to expect after sclerotherapy?

There’s no significant recovery period after your vein treatment. The treated area may be swollen and bruised from a few days up to 2 weeks after injection. You may also feel a hardened knot or tight sensation in the injection site for some time.

The patient most probably will be required to wear a pad or compression stockings. He/she will be asked to remain active in order to deter the formation of blood clots.

Also, the patients will be advised to avoid sunlight for a while to be sure that dark spots would not form on the treated area.

Different types of sclerotherapy

There are 4 types of sclerotherapy that may be right for you, depending on your doctor’s recommendation. They are:

Liquid sclerotherapy

This is the one we’ve been talking about from the beginning of this article. When the varicose vein treatment is done using the injection of the liquid sclerosant, the procedure is called “liquid sclerotherapy” or simply “sclerotherapy”.

Microsclerotherapy

For small spider veins, the sclerotherapy is done using tiny needles. This procedure is called microsclerotherapy, and the reason is obvious: the small needle!

The recovery is shorter and involves less discomfort and bruising. However, as it can be inferred, not everyone is an eligible candidate for this sort of treatment. Your doctor can determine whether you need to go with sclerotherapy or its micro version, depending on your condition.

Ultrasound sclerotherapy

In this procedure, the doctor or dermatologist uses ultrasound to see your veins, even those which are hidden. The veins are displayed on a screen and the injection is done for the problematic vein then.

Foam sclerotherapy

Instead of liquid, a foam-like solution is injected into your vein. This type of treatment is beneficial for those with larger varicose or spider veins. The sclerosant is blended with CO2 and air. Then, it’s injected and causes a more considerable contraction compared to regular injection therapy.

Who is a good candidate for sclerotherapy?

Those who suffer from the twisted veins beneath their skin can undergo sclerotherapy to get rid of this problem. Once the “simply providing pressure with compression stockings on the veins” technique doesn’t do the trick, the patient seems to be a viable candidate for the procedure:

1. Unremitting pain in a vein
2. The feeling of unusual heaviness in the leg or in case the leg is visibly sore
3. Dry, withered skin of the leg or feet
4. Development of rash near the vein

Furthermore, people complaining of deformed and unattractive superficial veins of 4 mm or less might be suitable candidates for sclerotherapy, if and only if their doctor approves of having the procedure.

Nonetheless, various other forms of treatments such as a change in lifestyle, particularly eating healthier food (esp. fruits and vegetables which are rich in fiber) and not straining when having bowel movements could drastically help with certain cases of Hemorrhoids and provide the individual with the possibility of foregoing the treatment.

SOME ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS TO SCLEROTHERAPY?

Not every deformed vein is a candidate for this kind of treatment. Sometimes, when there are no specific symptoms, one would have to be on the lookout for certain signs around the site of the treatment. Make sure to monitor the veins to see if they exacerbate in appearance. Alteration of lifestyle could significantly improve the condition of the veins and deter the formation of new varicose veins.

Some other alternative treatments include:

Laser therapy

In this method, the doctor directs the laser beam on your vein. After the procedure, the treated area will darken and the vein will disappear within 1 to 3 months. The patient may need to repeat the treatment if the desired results are not achieved by one session.

Radiofrequency ablation

In this procedure, the doctor uses radiofrequency energy to treat your twisted veins. This energy damages the vein by increasing the heat. Those who have greater or smaller saphenous veins can benefit from this type of treatment.

Freezing the veins (cryotherapy)

Cryotherapy is one of the effective varicose vein treatments. In this method, a solution is injected into your veins. It significantly reduces the temperature of your vein. The blood vessels are then contracted. So, varicose and spider veins will shrink.

Removing the veins

In severe cases, the vein may be removed through one of the two available minimally invasive procedures: one is Ambulatory phlebectomy and the other is stripping and ligation. In the former, local anesthesia is applied. Then the doctor makes small incisions and removes the veins. The latter, which is more complicated, begins with general anesthesia. After making incisions, the veins are put together using a tie and then removed.