Sclerotherapy

Thread veins and spider veins are small, visible blood vessels that sit just beneath the surface of the skin. They are usually red or purple in colour, and more often than not they don’t cause any harm to the patient, although they can ache in certain cases, and in others can look a bit unsightly.

When thread veins affect the legs, they can sometimes cause an aching sensation after standing or walking for longer periods of time. In general, they occur over time when a blood flow is disrupted by a back up of blood within the vessels as a result of long-term damage and malfunction within the vessels themselves. Thicker, more prominent veins and usually referred to as thread veins, whereas smaller instances are known as spider veins due to the branching, web-like appearance, which can cause distress for some sufferers. Sclerotherapy is a non-invasive, injectable treatment for patients looking to eliminate unsightly thread veins for good, leaving behind skin that is beautifully clear and blemish-free.

For more information, see our faq section below, or get in touch to book a free consultation at North West Aesthetics today.

Treatments starting at

£199

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Frequently asked questions

How does sclerotherapy work?

Before your treatment, and ultrasound scan will be first undertaken to assess your suitability. This is how Sclerotherapy works should you be suitable: A medicinal solution known as sclerosant is injected directly into the target blood vessels with expert precision, designed to irritate the vessels and initiate swelling. This swelling then cuts off blood flow entirely and causes the vessels to shrink. Your doctor may also massage the treatment area to prevent the blood from flowing back into the vessels.

What results can I expect?

This type of treatment is suitable for use all over the body, reducing the appearance of thread veins, most commonly found in the legs, among other places. Skin will appear youthful and clear.

How long is the procedure?

After a few short injections, your treatment should be complete, lasting no longer than 30 minutes.

How many treatments do I need?

This depends on the severity of your condition and the number of thread veins you suffer with. Patients with more severe thread veins may require multiple treatments to fully collapse the vessels, and patients with multiple thread veins might have to spread their treatment out over numerous sessions. Commonly, 2-4 sessions are required, spread 6-8 weeks apart. Long term management is advised to prevent the veins returning.

What is the recovery time?

There is no need to take downtime out of your schedule to recover, simply follow the aftercare advice given to you post-treatment. We recommend remaining active to prevent blood clots, as well as insisting that you avoid sun exposure as the treatment area heals and in between treatments; this is to avoid pigmentation. In some cases, we also recommend wearing compression garments to optimise your results and speed up the healing process.

What are the side effects?

In most cases, swelling and bruising occurs, although this is only temporary. Patients often undergo this treatment in the winter because of the associated bruising to the legs.

Who is suitable and not suitable for sclerotherapy?

Rest-assured that sclerotherapy is a very safe procedure, with less risk involved in comparison to more invasive treatment options. It is ideal for patients with existing thread veins that are either causing discomfort or mental distress.

Why choose North West Aesthetics?

At North West Aesthetics, our friendly and attentive team prioritise your wants and needs, offering bespoke treatment plans that work specifically for you. We take the time to get to the bottom of your concerns via a thorough consultation, before then considering the best possible course of action. A high standard of treatment and care is imperative, which is why our staff are extensively trained and experienced in all aspects of advanced non-surgical aesthetics, led by renowned medical doctor, Dr David Taylor.