Leg thread veins, those fine red, blue or purple lines that appear close to the skin’s surface, can be disheartening. They may be genetic, arise from hormonal changes (such as pregnancy), or be caused by standing for long periods.
Whatever the cause, sclerotherapy gives you an effective way to reduce their appearance and feel more confident showing your legs again.
What is Sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure to treat thread veins on the legs. There are two main types:
- Micro-Sclerotherapy: A liquid solution (called a sclerosant) is injected into small, superficial veins.
- Foam Sclerotherapy: The sclerosant is mixed with air to make a foam. This is more effective for medium-sized thread veins.
Both work by irritating the vein wall, causing the vein to collapse, gradually be reabsorbed by your body, and fade from view.
Note: this treatment is not usually suitable for larger varicose veins.
What to Expect During Treatment
Consultation
We’ll assess your leg veins, review your medical history, and decide whether sclerotherapy is right for you.
The Treatment
You lie down, the skin is cleaned, and using a very fine needle the sclerosant is injected into the target veins. Many people feel a mild sting or tingling. Compression stockings are fitted afterward to help with healing.
Aftercare & Recovery
- Wear compression stockings continuously for the first 72 hours, then during daytime for about one week.
- Keep the treated area dry during those first 72 hours.
- Avoid heat-intensive or irritating activities (such as saunas, swimming or vigorous workouts) for a period after treatment.
- Be patient - thread veins fade gradually over 4-6 weeks and may need more than one session for the best result.
Before and After
Is It Right for You?
Sclerotherapy works best for:
- Thread veins (small, coloured veins close to the skin) rather than larger, bulging varicose veins.
- People who can follow post-treatment care (especially wearing compression, avoiding certain activities for a while) to ensure good healing.
During your consultation, we’ll go over any medical issues that could affect treatment (e.g. circulation problems, skin infection, blood clot history) to make sure it’s safe for you.
Possible Side Effects
These are usually mild and resolve without intervention. They can include:
- Bruising and tenderness around injections.
- Pigmentation changes (darkening or lightening of treated skin).
- Small blistering, crusts or scabs in treated areas.
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. After this wearing the stockings during the day for one week helps support recovery and optimise results.
Why choose Sclerotherapy?
- It is regarded as the gold standard for treating thread and spider veins of the legs. It's safer and more effective for these kinds of veins than many alternatives.
- Alternatives like laser or IPL are often better for very fine veins close to the surface. Surgery is generally reserved for more serious varicose veins.
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.
Related articles
Sclerotherapy Treatments for Leg Veins Requires Planning
If you’re hoping to minimise spider veins so you can show off your legs this summer, then plan ahead. When it comes to sclerotherapy, it pays to be organised!
Sclerotherapy Price
Here are starting prices at our clinic.
| Treatment Options | From £ |
|---|---|
| Foam Sclerotherapy both legs | 310 |
| Foam Sclerotherapy single leg | 250 |
| Micro Sclerotherapy both legs | 280 |
| Micro Sclerotherapy single leg | 220 |
| Compression stockings (Available at clinic) | 42 |
New patients considering this procedure must attend a consultation during which we review your medical history and recommend a personalised treatment plan and written quote.
During September and October we are offering complimentary consultations with nurse Elspeth.
Consultation appointment requires a £50 deposit which can be used against treatment plan or will be refunded if Sclerotherapy is not an appropriate solution.
