The procedure
Sclerotherapy is a technique to treat small thread veins in the legs with a reliable track record and consistent results.
What does it involve?
The treatment is a clinic-based procedure performed by one of Mr Pacifico’s specialist nurses. The sclerosant (substance injected) is injected into the thread veins using a tiny needle. You will be able to see blanching of the vessels as the injections are performed and the spider veins disappear. Over the next several weeks, the veins shrink and fade away. Sometimes the procedure needs to be repeated depending on how affected the areas are.
What are the benefits?
Sclerotherapy is an excellent procedure for spider vein treatment that produces consistent results.
How long does the procedure take?
This depends on the extent of the spider veins being treated. Usually treatment takes around 40-minutes. If an area is large, several treatments may be required.
What is the recovery period?
After the treatment, strong support tights need to be worn for 10-days. Some areas can develop a brownish discolouration after treatment and you should expect some bruising and redness for the first week.
What are the possible complications?
- Your legs may be red and sometimes swollen following treatment
- Not all the thread veins may disappear after the first treatment. Extra treatment sessions (2-3) may be needed on occasion (at further cost). Subsequent procedures must be at least 6-weeks after the previous treatment.
- New veins can appear in time
- Fortunately, very rarely, ulcers can develop at a procedure site
- Brownish pigmentation or discolouration can occur, but if so, it usually fades with time.
- Infection or irritation can develop at the site of treatment that may require treatment with antibiotics
