Sclerotherapy is an injectable treatment for visible veins on the legs.
Vein Sclerotherapy
Does Vein Sclerotherapy hurt?
The procedure is not painful. Tiny needles are used and people often comment how surprised they are at the lack of discomfort.
Is Sclerotherapy safe?
Yes. The procedure has been performed on millions of people, over many years and its safety is well established. The drug used is licensed and is available on prescription only.
Can everyone have this treatment?
It is not suitable if a client:
- Is pregnant or breastfeeding
- Has a history of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
- Has an allergy to the sclerosant (sodium tetradecyl sulphate, or ‘fibrovein’)
- Has actively inflamed or infected skin on the area to be treated
What if I also have Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins (large lumpy and visible veins) can be a sign of valve leakage within the larger veins in your legs. Valve leakage (and resulting varicose veins) can render treatment less successful. As part of our consultation we will advise your suitability.
How many treatments will be needed?
This depends upon the severity and spread of the veins – we can give a better idea once we have examined your legs. Usually two to four treatments gives the best results, but some people may need more or less. Often one treatment is enough.
Are there any side effects?
Immediately after treatment you may have some itching and mild discomfort in the treated areas which can last for a few days. The veins may look worse initially for the first few weeks – this is normal. There is a very small risk of deep vein thrombosis after treatment but this is exceptionally rare.
How long does it last?
This treatment is successful and lasts. However, although treated veins rarely re-appear, it should be expected that new thread veins will appear over time anyway, irrespective of treatment.
How many injections are involved?
This depends on the area and the severity of the veins but there are usually many small injections needed to get the best result. We use a maximum of 10ml of fibrovein per treatment, and this is often the limiting factor.
How long does treatment take?
This depends on what area is being treated, but usually treatment takes between 30 minutes and one hour.
Do I need a consultation?
Before your first treatment, yes. This enables your suitability for treatment to be assessed and your medical information to be noted to enable your prescription to be made.
Are there any special after-care instructions?
You should wear the compression stockings we provide for 7 days (not nights) following treatment. We also ask that you avoid hot climates and hot baths, strenuous exercise and direct sun exposure for 4 weeks after treatment to ensure you enjoy the best results. We will provide you with post-treatment instructions on the day and during your consultation.
Who performs the treatment?
The treatment is performed by a fully qualified and insured practitioner.
How long do I leave between treatments?
If further treatments are required, we recommend further treatments at least 2 months after the last treatment as the results usually become most apparent between 8 and 12 weeks.
