What is Varithena® vein treatment?
Varithena® is an FDA-approved prescription microfoam specifically designed to treat varicose veins and the underlying venous insufficiency that causes them. Unlike laser ablation or traditional surgery, Varithena® works chemically not thermally and not surgically.
The active ingredient is polidocanol, a well-established sclerosing agent. When delivered as a microfoam directly into a diseased vein, it displaces blood inside the vessel, makes sustained contact with the vein wall, and triggers a controlled chemical reaction that causes the vein to contract, collapse, and close permanently.
Once sealed, the body naturally reroutes blood through healthier nearby vessels. Over time, the treated vein is reabsorbed and disappears entirely.
Why Varithena® is different:
- Not laser no heat-based energy delivered through the vein wall
- Not traditional sclerotherapy Varithena® microfoam reaches further and works on larger, more complex veins
- Not surgery no incisions, no stitches, no operating room
- FDA-approved specifically for varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)
Varithena® is particularly valuable for treating larger veins, tortuous (twisted) veins, and veins that haven’t responded well to other minimally invasive methods. If you’ve been told your veins are “too complicated” for thermal ablation, Varithena® vein treatment may be exactly what your situation calls for.
How does the Varithena® vein procedure work?
The Varithena® vein procedure is performed entirely in our Clifton or Kearny clinic no operating room, no hospital, no general anesthesia.
Step 1 — Comprehensive vein evaluation Your treatment begins with a detailed consultation and duplex ultrasound examination. Dr. Babus maps the affected veins precisely — identifying which vessels are diseased, where reflux is occurring, and the exact anatomy of the vein being treated. There is no guesswork.
Step 2 — Treatment preparation The treatment area is cleaned and prepared. Ultrasound guidance is maintained throughout to ensure safe, accurate foam delivery to the correct vein.
Step 3 — Varithena® foam injection A small needle or thin catheter delivers the Varithena® microfoam directly into the diseased vein. The foam’s consistency allows it to displace blood and maintain full wall contact — triggering the chemical reaction that causes the vein to collapse and close.
Step 4 — Immediate recovery Most patients feel mild pressure during the injection — the procedure is well-tolerated. Immediately after, patients walk out of the clinic. No wheelchair. No recovery room. No overnight stay. Compression stockings are typically recommended to support circulation and healing.
Step 5 — Follow-up and long-term care. Follow-up visits confirm proper vein closure and track your recovery. Most patients notice reduced leg heaviness, improved comfort, and visible vein fading within days to weeks. Dr. Babus provides ongoing guidance to maintain healthy circulation and reduce the risk of future vein issues.
Conditions Treated with Varithena®
Varithena® vein treatment addresses a range of conditions where damaged vein valves and poor venous circulation are the root problem.
Large, bulging, or twisted varicose veins causing pain, heaviness, aching, and swelling. Varithena® is particularly effective for complex or tortuous veins that are difficult to treat with thermal ablation.
When vein valves fail to move blood properly back toward the heart, pressure builds in the legs causing chronic swelling, discomfort, and skin changes. Varithena® closes diseased veins and restores healthier circulation.
For patients who have previously had varicose vein treatment and experienced recurrence, Varithena® offers a minimally invasive option that can address veins not easily managed by other procedures.
Varithena targets the underlying cause of vein-related symptoms, helping reduce aching, fatigue, and pressure in the legs while improving daily mobility and comfort.