Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy has been considered the gold standard treatment for spider veins and small varicose veins for decades, and for good reason. It works by injecting a specialized solution, called a sclerosing agent, directly into the problem vein using a very fine needle. The solution irritates the inner lining of the vein, causing it to collapse, stick together, and seal shut. Once the vein is sealed, blood simply reroutes through healthier veins nearby, and your body gradually absorbs the treated vein over the following weeks. The end result is that those visible veins fade from the surface of your skin, leaving it clearer and smoother.

Sclerotherapy is most commonly used on the legs, where spider veins and small varicose veins tend to show up due to a mix of genetics, hormonal changes, pregnancy, weight changes, prolonged standing or sitting, and age. It's highly effective on those fine, web-like red and purple spider veins as well as slightly larger blue or green reticular veins. Some clients also choose sclerotherapy for veins in other areas like the ankles or hands. If you have larger, bulging varicose veins, we'll evaluate whether sclerotherapy is the right fit or if another treatment would serve you better. During your consultation we'll take a close look at the veins you want treated, go over your medical history, and make sure you're a good candidate.

A typical sclerotherapy appointment takes about 20 to 45 minutes depending on how many veins are being treated. We start by cleansing the area, then inject the sclerosing solution into each problem vein using an ultra-fine needle. Most clients describe the sensation as a brief stinging or cramping feeling that lasts a few seconds and then goes away. No numbing is usually needed since the needle is so small. We'll treat multiple veins in a single session, and you can typically address a large portion of one leg in one appointment.

Downtime is minimal, but there are a few important aftercare steps that make a real difference in your results. You'll be asked to wear compression stockings for anywhere from a few days to two weeks after treatment to help the veins seal properly and prevent complications. Walking immediately after the procedure and staying active during the healing period is actually encouraged since movement helps blood flow. You'll want to avoid intense workouts, hot baths, saunas, hot tubs, and prolonged sun exposure for about 1 to 2 weeks. Sun exposure on treated areas can cause dark spots or hyperpigmentation, so covering up or using strong SPF is important during healing.

It's normal to see some bruising, mild swelling, tenderness, or a raised red appearance along the treated veins for the first few days to weeks. Occasionally, small brown or tan marks can linger at treatment sites for a few months before fully fading, especially on fair skin. You may also notice that the treated veins actually look a bit more visible or darker in the first couple of weeks before they start to fade. This is all part of the normal healing process, not a sign that something went wrong.

Results build gradually. Smaller spider veins often fade within 3 to 6 weeks, while larger veins can take 3 to 4 months to fully disappear. For the best results, most clients need a series of 2 to 4 treatments spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart, depending on how many veins are being treated and how they respond. Sclerotherapy doesn't prevent new veins from forming down the road since factors like genetics, hormones, and lifestyle continue to play a role, so maintenance treatments every 1 to 2 years are common to stay ahead of new veins as they appear.

Sclerotherapy isn't recommended if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, have a history of blood clots or certain clotting disorders, are bedridden or have significantly limited mobility, have an active infection in the treatment area, or have a known allergy to the sclerosing agents we use. Certain medications, like some hormonal therapies, may also need to be reviewed before treatment. We'll go through your full medical history during your consultation to make sure it's safe and effective for you and build a plan that fits your goals.