Thread veins—those fine, spidery red, purple, or blue veins that often appear on the legs—can feel like an unwelcome reminder of life's wear and tear.
Whether they’re a gift from your genetics, the result of pregnancy, or the consequence of spending too much time on your feet, these veins can sap your confidence.
Fortunately, sclerotherapy offers an effective way to tackle them, giving you back smoother, vein-free skin.
If you’ve been hiding your legs because of thread veins, sclerotherapy offers a simple, proven solution to restore your confidence. With quick treatment sessions, minimal discomfort, and a strong success rate, it’s an investment in your appearance and self-assurance.
What Are Micro-Sclerotherapy and Foam Sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment designed to eliminate thread veins. There are two main types:
- Micro Sclerotherapy: Perfect for smaller, surface-level veins, this involves injecting a liquid solution (called a sclerosant) directly into the veins.
- Foam Sclerotherapy: Ideal for slightly larger thread veins, this uses a sclerosant mixed with air to create a foam that’s more effective for treating medium-sized veins.
Both treatments work by causing the treated veins to collapse. Over time, the body absorbs these veins, leaving your legs clearer. However, it’s worth noting that sclerotherapy isn’t suitable for larger varicose veins, which typically require more intensive treatments.
How Does Sclerotherapy Work?
Thread veins develop when blood pools in weakened veins, causing them to expand and become visible through the skin. Sclerotherapy addresses this by sealing the problem veins shut. Here’s how it happens:
- Injection: A skilled practitioner injects the sclerosant into the target vein using a fine needle.
- Sealing the Vein: The solution irritates the vein walls, causing them to stick together and close off.
- Absorption: The body gradually reabsorbs the collapsed vein, reducing its appearance over several weeks.
What happens during the treatment?
If the thought of needles makes you wince, don’t worry—sclerotherapy is a quick, relatively comfortable procedure performed by experienced practitioners. Here’s what you can expect:
- Consultation: Before treatment, your veins will be assessed, and your medical history reviewed to ensure the procedure is right for you.
- The Treatment Itself: You’ll lie down while the practitioner cleans the treatment area. Using an ultra-fine needle, the sclerosant is injected into the thread veins. Most people describe the sensation as a mild sting or tingle.
- Post-Treatment: Compression stockings are applied to help the treated veins seal properly.
There’s no downtime required, so you can return to your usual activities immediately—though the compression stockings can feel warm, making cooler months an ideal time for treatment.
Are my veins suitable for Sclerotherapy?
The key difference between thread veins and varicose veins is their size and appearance:
- Thread Veins: Are small, red or blue, and appear close to the skin’s surface.
- Varicose Veins: Are often dark purple or blue, and appear to bulge and twist. They may cause pain or itching.
A quick self-check for varicose veins involves standing for 1–2 minutes; bulging veins will typically appear.
Why must I wear Sclerotherapy compression stockings?
Wearing compression stockings continuously for the first 72 hours is crucial to help the vein walls seal effectively. During this time, it’s important to keep the treated area dry to reduce the risk of infection, which could potentially lead to complications such as ulcers. After this wearing the stockings during the day for one week helps support recovery and optimise results.
What are potential Sclerotherapy side effects?
You may experience the following during recovery, which usually resolve without intervention:
- Bruising, tenderness and pigmentation changes.
- Small blisters, crusts, or scabs.
Aftercare for best results
To ensure your legs heal beautifully, follow these aftercare tips:
- Wear Compression Stockings: These support healing by maintaining pressure on the veins. Wear them continuously for the first 72 hours and then during the day for the next week.
- Avoid Heat and Irritation: Keep away from swimming pools, saunas, high-impact workouts, and hair removal methods like shaving or waxing for a couple of weeks. These activities can disrupt healing and increase infection risk.
- Be Patient: Results take time. Treated veins will gradually fade over 4–6 weeks, and multiple sessions may be needed for the best outcome.
Why Choose Sclerotherapy?
When it comes to treating thread and spider veins on the legs, sclerotherapy is the gold standard. It’s safe, effective, and minimally invasive, with a long history of successful results.
While laser and IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatments can work for very fine veins close to the skin’s surface, they often lack the depth needed for leg veins. Surgery, meanwhile, is typically reserved for severe varicose veins, making sclerotherapy the perfect middle ground for most people.
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Sclerotherapy Price
To find out if sclerotherapy is right for you, book a consultation, so we can discuss your needs and walk you through the process. Your journey to smoother, vein-free legs starts here.
| Treatment Options | From £ |
|---|---|
| Foam Sclerotherapy both legs (To book call clinic) | 310 |
| Foam Sclerotherapy single leg (To book call clinic) | 250 |
| Micro Sclerotherapy both legs - Book Online | 280 |
| Micro Sclerotherapy single leg - Book Online | 220 |
| Compression stockings (Available at clinic) | 42 |
New patients considering this procedure must attend a consultation with a qualified doctor or nurse. During this session, we review your medical history and recommend a tailored treatment plan. Precise pricing will be provided in a written quote, with starting prices listed above for reference.
