What is Sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical but invasive treatment to eliminate varicose, thread or spider veins using a sclerosant (a substance that damages the inside of the vein).
What is involved in Sclerotherapy?
A sclerotherapy treatment will take 10-40 minutes and is performed under local anaesthetic. A sclerosant is injected into the target vein using an ultrafine needle, causing the vein to collapse and eventually disintegrate. Discomfort should be minimal and a compression bandage will be applied after treatment.
Most patients will need 2 to 5 sessions depending on how many veins require treatment, as there is a maximum amount of sclerosant that can be administered at any one time. The full results take around three months to become apparent.
Although these veins are gone for good, unfortunately you can develop new varicose or thread veins over time.
What are the risks of Sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy carries a minimal risk of infection and thrombosis (a clot in the vein, and a few patients may be allergic to the sclerosant chemical used to destroy the vein. Some patients may get tiny blisters and rarely a patch of miniscule spider veins called telangectatic matting’. The most common long-lasting side effect of Sclerotherapy is bruising, which may last up to 3 months. If bruises are particularly large or severe, sometimes a follow-up procedure to release pooled blood under the skin is performed a few weeks after treatment.
How long will it take me to recover from Sclerotherapy?
You should be able to return to your normal activities shortly after your sclerotherapy treatment, but if the treated area feels particularly tender you may want to stay at home for a day or two. However, gentle exercise rather than bed rest is recommended. Strenuous exercise should be avoid for the first few days and you should avoid exposing the treated area to the sun for the first two weeks. Usually you will wear a compression stocking for a week or so.
What is the cost of Sclerotherapy?
The price for sclerotherapy treatment is around £90- £300 per session, depending on the number of veins that require treatment.
