It offers medium- and long-term results in lipolysis, reduction of lymphoedema and elimination of localised fat pads. Sclerotherapy is still the most widely used therapy for medium-calibre vessels (over 3 mm). The injected substance, generally polidocanol, damages the endothelium, causing an inflammatory reaction and fibrosis of the entire vein wall. In this way the blood is diverted into healthy veins, with a marked improvement in circulation. Sclerotherapy therefore has not only an aesthetic function of eliminating a vessel but also that of making circulation more efficient.
Many substances are used for sclerotherapy: sodium tetradecyl sulphate (FDA approved), polidocanol (generally the most used), hypertonic saline solution and chromated glycerin (scleremo).
