What to expect from sclerotherapy for spider veins

Spider veins are small visible blood vessels, often appearing as branching or web-like lines. During sclerotherapy, a clinician injects a solution into selected veins. The solution irritates the inner lining, causing the treated vessel to close, after which the body gradually breaks it down. Blood is redirected through healthier vessels.

A consultation helps determine whether the visible vessels are suitable for injection and whether deeper vein problems need assessment. Vein size, colour, location, skin tone, and medical history can affect the plan. The treated area may look darker or more noticeable before it fades.

The skin is cleaned, and the clinician uses a fine needle for a series of injections. You may feel brief stinging, pressure, or cramping at individual sites. Small raised areas, redness, bruising, tenderness, or a tight sensation can follow.

Follow instructions about walking, compression garments, exercise, heat, and sun exposure. Keep any injection sites clean and avoid rubbing or picking them. Tell the clinician about pregnancy, breastfeeding, clotting problems, previous vein treatment, medicines, or unexplained leg swelling before treatment. Attend review appointments so persistent vessels or skin changes can be assessed.

Contact the clinic for worsening swelling, increasing pain, spreading redness, ulceration, or skin colour change around an injection site. Seek urgent medical care for sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing blood, or one-sided leg swelling and pain, which can signal a serious vascular problem.

Ask whether the vessels are suitable for sclerotherapy, whether an ultrasound assessment is needed, what solution will be used, and what compression or activity plan applies. Ask how bruising, pigmentation change, persistent vessels, or new spider veins would be handled.