Sclerotherapy is one of the least invasive procedures for varicose veins removal. It addresses the damaged vein by injecting a solution that irritates and causes it to collapse and eventually disappear. To ensure the success of the vein treatment, you’ll have to wear an elastic bandage to maintain pressure and prevent blood from pooling back up.
So how long do you need to keep the ACE wrap or bandage on the leg after vein treatment? The elastic bandage should be worn and left untouched for at least 24 to 72 hours. You may remove them if you’re going to shower but make sure to put them back on immediately afterward. After about 2 to 3 days, you may remove the ACE bandage and replace it with compression stockings for the remainder of your recovery.
How Long Should You Wear ACE Bandage After Sclerotherapy for Varicose Veins?
Sclerotherapy is one of the first-line treatments for visible varicose veins and spider veins. This procedure involves injecting a chemical agent or sclerosant that irritates the lining of the blood vessels and forms scar tissue to close off the diseased vein. It forces the blood to reroute to nearby healthier veins, thereby improving circulation and allowing the treated vein to fade within weeks.
Patients receiving foam sclerotherapy treatment typically don’t require any downtime. However, after the procedure, the provider will wrap the treated leg with an elastic bandage which you’ll have to wear for at least 2 to 3 days.
The compression bandages help provide sufficient pressure to the treated veins and allow it to collapse completely. It also prevents the build-up of fluid which may result in prolonged swelling in the lower legs.
During the time that you’re wearing the ACE bandage, you shouldn’t remove them unless you’re going to shower. You may also take them off when you’re going to sleep, but doctors will advise that you keep them on for the first night after the sclerotherapy procedure.
After the first 3 days post-treatment, you can remove the bandage and replace them with graduated compression stockings. You’ll need to maintain compression therapy for about 2 to 3 weeks to support better blood circulation in your vessels and help you heal completely. They’ll also help improve the appearance of varicose veins and relieve other symptoms like leg pain, muscle cramps, and swelling.
Why Do You Need To Wear An ACE Elastic Bandage After Vein Treatment?
Varicose vein treatments, like sclerotherapy and endovenous ablation, are associated with some level of discomfort after the procedure. Although you can return immediately to your normal activities, you’ll need to follow aftercare practices to prevent complications from arising. Here are some ways an elastic bandage can help you in your post-sclerotherapy recovery:
1) Reduces swelling and bruising in the affected area
The results of sclerotherapy can take longer to show than vascular surgery. Superficial veins and reticular veins can show improvements in about 3 to 6 weeks, while larger veins may take about 3 to 4 months. As you wait for the results to appear, you’ll notice swelling and bruising in the injection sites.
These side effects are usually a normal reaction to the needle breaking the skin barrier during the delivery of the sclerosing agent to the damaged vein. Swelling and bruising from the sclerotherapy treatment are usually temporary and can subside within 2 weeks.
The wrapping of elastic bandages can help provide gentle pressure to prevent fluids from gathering at the treated site and minimize swelling. They can also improve blood flow and oxygen supply to accelerate wound healing.
2) Prevents the treated veins from re-filling with blood
The ACE bandage and compression stockings are also beneficial for your overall vein health. Applying stable pressure to the treated veins helps blood to flow normally from the lower limbs back to the heart and stops them from accumulating in the veins. This helps ensure that you get optimal varicose vein removal outcomes from your sclerotherapy or endovenous laser treatment.
3) Improves blood circulation
Compression therapy is also a great way to manage chronic venous insufficiency. Wearing elastic bandages after your sclerotherapy treatment can help improve the venous return from the lower legs to the heart and provide firm support to alleviate the symptoms of CVI. They can also reduce your risk of developing debilitating complications from varicose veins, such as deep vein thrombosis and superficial thrombophlebitis.
4) Provides comfort throughout your recovery
Wearing an ACE bandage can also help you move and walk more comfortably after varicose vein treatment. Having enough physical activity can prevent blood clot problems in the treated veins. They also provide enough compression to the superficial veins in the legs and help blood circulation to enhance your recovery from the procedure.
Guidelines for Using ACE Bandage After Varicose Vein Removal
There are different sizes and lengths of elastic bandages and it’s vital that you use the right type of wrap for your treated body part. This will ensure that it fits perfectly and applies the right amount of pressure to address the swelling and discomfort. The bandage needs to be wrapped tightly around the treated area but it shouldn’t cause any numbness, tingling, or discomfort.
After the procedure, your healthcare provider will put on the elastic bandage around your leg. But once you go home and take it off for showering, you’ll need to re-apply them by yourself and you should know the proper steps to do it. Here’s how you can wrap the bandage on your leg:
- Hold the bandage in a way that the start of the roll is facing upwards.
- Place your leg in a neutral position and start wrapping the loose end of the bandage at the furthest part of the limb.
- Start wrapping by moving the bandage in a circle from the outside to the inside. You may need about 4 layers of elastic bandage to support blood circulation and manage varicose and spider veins.
- When you’re finished, secure the ACE wrap with a tape or clip fastener.
Other things that you’ll need to remember when using compression bandages are:
- Use a fresh set of ACE bandages whenever you’re reapplying them to your treated legs after showering.
- Remove the bandage if it feels too tight or if you notice numbness and tingling.
- Minimize leg elevation when wearing elastic bandages or compression stockings since this may decrease circulation to your feet and ankles.
- While you can walk around after treatment, avoid doing vigorous exercise or training for at least a week while wearing bandages or compression socks.
Are ACE Bandages The Same As Compression Stockings?
Although they can be used together for the management of varicose veins after sclerotherapy, ACE wraps and compression stockings aren’t exactly the same. Here’s an overview of the differences between compression stockings and elastic bandages:
| Elastic bandage | Compression stocking | |
| Description | A stretchable strip of cloth that’s typically used to support an injured or swollen area and encourage better healing | A long strip made of elastic and flexible material that actively provides pressure to an affected area. There are various types of compression stockings depending on the level of pressure that it provides. |
| Purpose | They’re normally wrapped around legs and intended to support the healing of acute sports injuries For sclerotherapy recovery, they can provide relief from its side effects and offer some pressure to support blood circulation | They’re usually used as a preventive measure against symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency and manage small varicose veins or leg ulcers They can also help encourage better blood flow to a healthy vein after sclerotherapy |
| Duration | Commonly used for short-term management of side effects after vein treatments and they’re usually taken off once the area has healed | Can be used for long-term management of varicose and spider veins |
Get Expert Varicose Vein Care and Treatment at Vein Center Doctor
Wearing an elastic bandage is important to ensure your smooth recovery after getting sclerotherapy for varicose vein removal. You only need to wear them for at least 2 to 3 days until the initial swelling and bruising have subsided before replacing them with compression stockings for better support and long-term management of varicose and spider veins.
At Vein Center Doctor, we have a highly-skilled team that provides safe and successful vein removal treatments. We also strive to provide the best customer care experience to make sure that you see the best possible outcomes from your vein procedure. Contact us today to schedule a consultation or learn more about our services.
