FAQ on Sclerotherapy

Thread veins, or more commonly known as spider veins, are tiny red and purple veins found just under the skin’s surface. They can occur anywhere but are most common on the legs and face. Although the condition poses no threat to your health, for many the issue is that of aesthetics. Thread veins affect 60% of adults so it’s a very common occurrence, but many of these adults feel very self-conscious about it.

At Aesthetic MediSpa, we have a thread vein treatment which is very safe and well-established. The treatment known as Sclerotherapy has been carried out by us for years. It is a well-established, permanent solution to thread veins. In order to inform you about this treatment, we have answered some of the most commonly asked questions regarding Sclerotherapy.

What does Sclerotherapy treatment involve?

Sclerotherapy is a microinjection treatment, created to treat prominent thread veins. The procedure itself involves injecting a sterile solution into the protruding vein using a very thin and small needle. The solution will irritate the vein lining, causing it to undergo fibrosis. This process means the vein will then disappear, leaving the patient with smooth skin as if the vein weren’t there in the first place. Multiple veins can be injected in one session, meaning if the patient has many thread veins they wish to be removed, it can be done relatively quickly.

Will Sclerotherapy treatment hurt?

There is a slight sting which is associated with each injection, however the burning sensation which follows only lasts a few seconds and quickly passes. The majority of patients admit to being surprised at how much less painful the procedure turned out to be compared, to their expectations. So much so, that most patients do not ask for any type of pain relief.

How many sessions of Sclerotherapy will I need?

The number of treatments required of course varies on the individual and how many thread veins are present. Typically, a patient will require 2-4 rounds of treatment. However, in mild cases, only 1-2 treatments are necessary to reach the best result. Usually, if there are quite a few thread veins present or if they are slightly larger veins, this will require more treatments than for someone who’s thread veins are minimal in amount and size.

Will I have to limit what I can do after the treatment?

Walking is actually highly recommended soon after the procedure. However, we advise that any high-level sports should be avoided by the patient for the first 3 days.

Can I have Sclerotherapy on my arms or my face?

Absolutely not. Although for many people, prominent hand veins are a cause for low self-esteem, they should never be treated with Sclerotherapy. If treated with Sclerotherapy, the experience can be exceptionally painful, and the results are mixed. A recommended treatment for hand veins are dermal fillers, as these will add volume to your hands which minimises the appearance of the veins and gives you a younger appearance. For prominent face veins, we recommend laser treatment.

Am I eligible for Sclerotherapy?

The majority of people are eligible for Sclerotherapy, however there are a couple of exceptions. For example, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are not suitable for the treatment. Also, there are relative contraindications which include those who have a fever, uncontrolled diabetes, a history of deep vein thrombosis, and with skin conditions. Apart from these factors, anyone is eligible for Sclerotherapy treatment. All of these factors will be discussed in your initial consultation.

Will I have bruising after my treatment?

There will be some mild discomfort following your treatment, but this can easily be handled with Tylenol. The area in which you had the injections will be bruised and swollen for the first few days, post-treatment. However, this will disappear in 2-3 weeks and the patient will have no problem with walking. We have found that after the first 2 days post-treatment, the majority of patients can easily return to their normal activities.

Contact Us

If you still have unanswered questions about Sclerotherapy or would like to book, please contact our friendly team in Rickmansworth and Essex and we'll take it from there!