Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy for the treatment of unsightly leg veins.

How does it work?

Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical form of treatment commonly used to treat spider veins and reticular veins.

The procedure uses an irritating solution called a sclerosing agent, which is injected through a very fine needle directly into a vein.  The solution irritates the lining of the  vessel and causes it to swell, combined with compression following the treatment, the vein walls will collapse.

What areas can be improved?

Sclerotherapy can be used to treat spider and reticular veins on the legs, they are red or blue in colour.


Spider veins, also called telangiectasias, are the smallest veins measuring 1mm or less. They appear close to the surface of the skin and often take on a “tree-like” appearance with the veins looking like tree branches. Reticular veins are slightly larger than spider veins, measuring between 1mm and 3mm and are located just below the skin’s surface. 

What are the results?

You may experience mild discomfort and cramping for one to two minutes during the procedure, especially when larger veins are injected. The procedure itself takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes.

The number of veins injected in one session depends on the size and location of the veins. It may take several treatments, and patients must wear compression stockings for 2-3 weeks after a procedure to achieve desired results. Patients can resume most normal activities after the procedure.

Side Effects of the treatment

You may experience mild to moderate side effects after sclerotherapy. Reported events for the treatment of spider veins have ranged from simple localised itching, which can last for one or two days after the procedure, to more involved raised, red areas at the injection site.

These side effects should dissipate and disappear within a few days. Bruising may also occur around the injection site and can last several days or weeks. However, larger veins that are treated with sclerotherapy may become lumpy and hard or discoloured and may require several months to dissolve and fade.

“After having four children and an office based job, my legs have taken a lot of wear and tear over the years. I plucked up the courage to visit Heather for an initial assessment of my thread veins. I had particularly two dominant areas on both legs which I have always been conscious about, especially wearing shorts and bikinis. Even when tanned I could still see them… looking at me! Heather was very considerate and understanding, she gave me all the information I needed about Microsclerotherapy and explained the treatment package and what it would all entail. Heather started treatment within a couple of weeks of the first assessment and I haven’t looked back since. The results are excellent, the thread vein clusters have gone completely, it didn’t hurt and I wasn’t in any discomfort before, during or after the treatment. I wish I would have booked into see her 10 years ago, I can’t believe I left it so long, horrible spider veins – no more! We are going away on holiday and I can’t wait to show off my clear legs, I have bought numerous pairs of shorts and plan to wear them all!

Thank you so much for all your support and clinical expertise Heather. I would recommend Heather Irvine’s Skin and Body Clinic to anyone wanting to erase their imperfections in a heartbeat.”

Claire H