Sclerotherapy

What it is: Sclerotherapy is the treatment, by injection, of thread veins and broken capillaries on the legs. The blood diverts into bigger vessels and the thread vein will start to fade.

• Procedure time: 30 minutes - 1 hour.
• Down time: Initially the injection sites look like insect bites, which may last a day or two. There may be slight bruising which will gradually fade. Immediately following treatment it is a good idea to wear suppport tights to compress the areas treated.
• Lasting effects: Once successfully treated, that particular vein will not return. However, we are not treating the cause of the problem, only the effect, so other veins may appear and some areas may need re-treating annually or when necessary. The darker the veins, the more treatments are required.
• Risks: Allergic reactions are very rare but can occur. If the patient has a history of allergies, then a patch test may be necessary.
• Pain: Minimal, the injection stings for a few seconds, local anaesthetic can be used.