What is Microsclerotherapy?

Microsclerotherapy is a procedure used to treat thread veins (also known as “spider veins”) on the legs. It is one of the most effective treatments available for the removal of thread veins.

Some clinics will use laser or IPL. Although this can be quite effective with thread veins on the face, it is usually painful and ineffective with thread veins on the legs.

What does a Microsclerotherapy treatment involve?

A very fine needle is used to inject a sclerosing agent directly into the thread vein. The sclerosing agent flows through the vein and stimulates the walls of the vein to swell up. The swelling prevents any blood from passing through the vessel and this causes the vein to shrivel up and disappear.

How many sessions are required?

The number of treatments needed depends on the size and extent of the veins.

Several injections in to the veins can be performed at each session, however the amount of sclerosant that can be injected in a single treatment will limit how many injections you can have.

If only a small number of spider veins are to be treated, usually two or three treatments will be enough. More extensive or prominent varicose veins may require a series of treatment sessions in order to reach the desired result.

We recommend at least 2 treatments, before any improvement can be seen. It is possible that you may only need one session, however this is all dependent on the number and severity of veins. It may take a number of repeat treatments before reaching your desired look.

What is the difference between sclerotherapy and microsclerotherapy?

Microsclerotherapy is the treatment for spider or thread veins, and foam sclerotherapy is used to treat larger varicose veins.

What are spider veins?

Spider veins are like varicose veins but smaller. They are also closer to the surface of the skin than varicose veins. Often they are red, blue or purple. They can look like tree branches or spider webs with their short, jagged lines. They care usually found on the legs and face and can cover either small or large areas of skin. The medical term is telangiectasia.

What causes Spider Veins?

Spider veins can be caused by hormonal changes, sun damage or injury. They can also occur as a result of larger underlying varicose veins which are not always visible. It is important that spider veins are fully investigated using ultrasound to identify the incompetent valves within veins the cause varicose veins, as failure to treat these usually results in early recurrence of spider veins and a poor outcome.

Does it hurt?

The injections do tend to sting slightly but they are rarely painful, as only fine needles are used during the treatment. Some people do experience a burning sensation immediately after the treatment, but this usually only lasts a few seconds.

Can Microsclerotherapy Be Used to Treat Facial Veins?

Microsclerotherapy should not be used to treat facial thread veins, only on the legs

How soon will I see results?

During the treatment, the thread veins initially disappear instantly as the sclerosant is injected into the vein. However, the veins rapidly become redder and visible again immediately after treatment due to inflammation.

The veins can often look worse immediately after treatment. It is common to develop redness, similar to a nettle sting.

It usually takes weeks for the inflammation to settle, and the veins to disappear.

Best results are only seen after a minimum of two to three months.

Are there any potential risks or side effects?

Immediately after, you may experience slight swelling, redness and itchiness

Bruising is common and can take 3-4 weeks to disappear

Brown or reddish discolouration can occur, usually If stockings are not worn for the duration required and can persist even after the veins have disappeared. Although this fades over time, it may not completely disappear. It usually becomes darker when exposed to sun light, so we advise that you avoid sun exposure, if exposed to sun please use a factor 50SPF.

Some people may develop a small painful lump where injected, especially if a large vein has been treated. Ibuprofen may help to relieve these symptoms, in addition to wearing compression stockings for 21 days and nights. This is the time needed for the body to turn the dying vein into scar tissue.

Patients are encouraged not to remove the stockings until 22 days post procedure. If they are removed too early, blood will return into the vein and it will clot, leaving a brown staining. This staining can fade over the following months but sometimes it can become permanent.Occasionally, a small ulcer may develop due to the sclerosant leaking under the skin. This may be sore, take a few weeks to heal and may leave a small white scar.

Generalised allergic reactions to the chemicals are extremely rare.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) associated with injection microsclerotherapy is rare.

Telangiectasia matting – a formation of new very