Treatment: Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy involves a series of micro-injections with a very fine needle of a sclerosing agent. The sclerosing agent causes the lining of the vein to swell and stick together so that blood cannot flow through the vein. These redundant vessels then gradually disappear as they are absorbed by the body’s natural defense mechanism.

During your consultation with the doctor a full medical history will be taken to assess your suitability, and the benefits and potential side effects will be discussed in full. The treatment takes approximately 20 minutes and tiny micro needles are used so discomfort is minimal. The sclerosing agent does however sting during the treatment but this very quickly subsides. After the treatment you can expect the treated area to be red and there will be some bruises along the injection sites, which will disappear in 7-10 days. Occasionally the vessels may also be tender to touch for a day or two after the treatment.

After the treatment most patients can expect a 70-90% improvement in the treated vessels. The fading process however is gradual and results can take up to 3 months, so patience is needed. The results achieved through sclerotherapy will be permanent, however sclerotherapy will not prevent the development of new veins. Further sclerotherapy sessions can be carried out if new vessels appear in the future.

The number of treatments required depends on the extent and size of the thread veins. On average thread veins on the legs require 3 treatment sessions at 2-3 weekly intervals.

• Your initial visit to The Aesthetic MediSpa begins with a no obligation consultation, which typically last for around 30 minutes.
• Your consultation will be carried out by our highly experienced Aesthetic Doctor, who has been practicing Aesthetic Medicine exclusively for over 15 years.
• Your consultation will begin by listening to and understanding your concerns and requirements and discussing how best we can meet and exceed your expectations.
• The various treatment options, together with the benefits and any potential risks of the treatment will be discussed.
• You will have ample opportunity to ask questions during your consultation, which will be answered honestly and openly.
• There is no obligation to book the treatment with us after your consultation and you will not be rushed into making a decision.

• We appreciate that many of our patients have very busy schedules or travel a significant distance to attend our clinics and have often done significant research regarding the treatment prior to their consultation. It therefore may be possible to carry out a treatment such as Sclerotherapy immediately after the consultation.
• If you think you may wish to proceed with the treatment after the consultation then please advise our staff at the time of booking your consultation so we can adjust your appointment time accordingly.
• Please note that if you book an appointment for a consultation and treatment and you want to think about the treatment further after the consultation, then there is absolutely no obligation to proceed with the treatment.

• As with all needle based treatments there is always a small possibility of bruising after your treatment. To reduce this risk we advise that you do not take anti-inflammatory pain killers (e.g. Aspirin, Ibruprofen Nurofen, Voltarol) or St Johns Wart or Vitamin E supplements, for at least a week before your treatment, as they all increase your tendency towards bleeding.
• Alcohol will also increase your tendency towards bleeding therefore we advise you to refrain from alcohol for 24 hours.
• Before your treatment you will be provided with a detailed consent form which you will be asked to read and sign.

• Some minor bruising should be anticipated. This normally resolves in a few days.
• It is also normal for vessels to look darker immediately after the treatment before they disappear.
• We recommend walking for 10 minutes after the treatmentafter which you can drive yourself home or back to work.
• Normal exercise can be resumed after 24 hours
• Avoid hot baths, hot compresses, whirlpools or saunas, and direct exposure to sunlight. Short, lukewarm showers are fine.
• Patients should avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, or other anti-inflammatory medications for at least 48 hours after treatment.
• Depending on the extent of your thread veins you may be advised to wear compression stockings for a period after the treatment.

• Typically, a course of treatments is recommended (approximately 3) carried out every few weeks.
• For your convenience we have a text reminder service to let you know when your next treatment is due.
• Please inform our staff if you do not wish to receive reminder text messages.