Sclerotherapy
Dr Paul Charlson
FRCGP DPD DRCOG DOccMed FBCAM
Thread Veins on Legs
Thread veins on legs may be removed using a process called sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure used to eliminate thread veins from anywhere on your legs. Thread vein removal involves an injection of a solution (generally a salt solution) directly into the vein. The solution irritates the lining of the blood vessel, causing it to swell and stick together, and the blood to clot. Over time, the vessel turns into scar tissue that fades from view. It is considered to be the gold standard treatment to remove thread veins on the legs.
The price of sclerotherapy thread vein treatment with Dr Charlson is £250 per session (usually around 30 minutes)
Laser may be used to destroy fine thread veins on the legs this is £250 per session
How Sclerotherapy Is Done
In most cases of sclerotherapy, the salt solution is injected through a very fine needle directly into the vein. At this point, you may experience mild discomfort and cramping for one to two minutes, especially when larger veins are injected. The procedure itself takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes.
The number of veins injected in one session varies, and depends on the size and location of the veins, as well as the general medical condition of the patient.
Sclerotherapy is performed by Dr Charlson and requires that you do not do any aerobic activity for a few days after the procedure.
What to Do Before Sclerotherapy
Prior to sclerotherapy, you should avoid certain medications. Talk to your doctor about all medicines (including over-the-counter drugs, herbs, and dietary supplements) you are taking. If you need to take an antibiotic before sclerotherapy, contact your doctor. No lotion should be applied to the legs before the procedure.
Side Effects of Sclerotherapy
You may experience certain side effects after sclerotherapy. There are milder effects, such as itching, which can last for one or two days after the procedure. Also, you may experience raised, red areas at the injection site. These should disappear within a few days. Bruising may also occur around the injection side and can last several days or weeks.
Other Sclerotherapy Side Effects Include:
- Larger veins that have been injected may become lumpy and hard and may require several months to dissolve and fade.
- Brown lines or spots may appear at the vein site. In most cases, they disappear within three to six months, but they may also last indefinitely.
- Neovascularization — the development of new, tiny blood vessels — may occur at the site of sclerotherapy treatment. These tiny veins can appear days or weeks after the procedure, but should fade within three to twelve months without further treatment.
