Sclerotherapy

Spider vein and thread vein treatment in Northampton

Sclerotherapy spider vein treatment on legs

At Raquel Menezes Aesthetic Medicine, Sclerotherapy is a gold-standard, minimally invasive treatment used to safely and effectively reduce the appearance of leg spider veins, thread veins, and small varicosities.

How It Works

This medical procedure involves injecting a specialised solution directly into the unwanted vessels. The solution irritates the vein wall, causing it to collapse and gradually fade as the body naturally absorbs it.

After a thorough consultation and vein assessment, a sterile sclerosing solution is injected using very fine needles.
The treatment typically takes 20–40 minutes, depending on the area.

A compression stocking may be applied immediately afterwards to support the healing process.

What Sclerotherapy Treats

  • Leg spider veins (telangiectasias)
  • Blue or purple thread veins
  • Small, superficial varicose veins
  • Residual veins after vascular surgery or EVLA (if applicable)

Not suitable for face veins — IPL or laser is typically preferred for facial areas.

Close-up of sclerotherapy vein injection procedure
Woman having facial anti-wrinkle injection

Benefits

  • Highly effective for leg veins
  • Minimal downtime
  • Gradual but long-lasting results
  • Improves confidence and leg appearance
  • Safe, medically supervised procedure

Results & Treatment Plan

  • Visible improvement usually starts within 3–6 weeks
  • Optimal results often require 1–3 sessions, depending on the number and size of veins
  • Results are long-lasting, though maintenance may be required if new veins develop over time

Aftercare

  • Wear compression stockings as advised.
  • Avoid heavy exercise, saunas, and hot baths for 48–72 hours.

Am I a Suitable Candidate?

Sclerotherapy is suitable for most adults with visible spider veins, thread veins or small varicose veins on the legs. During your consultation at our Northampton clinic, Raquel will assess your veins and medical history to confirm suitability.

This treatment may not be recommended if you are:

  • Currently pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Taking blood-thinning medication
  • Living with a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
  • Experiencing active skin infection in the treatment area

A consultation is always required before treatment to ensure sclerotherapy is the right option for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sclerotherapy uses very fine needles, so most patients experience only a mild stinging or scratching sensation during the injection. No anaesthetic is usually required, and discomfort is minimal throughout the procedure.

Most patients see significant improvement after 1 to 3 sessions, depending on the number and size of veins being treated. During your consultation, Raquel will recommend a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

A typical session takes between 20 and 40 minutes. You can return to your normal daily activities straight after treatment, though heavy exercise, saunas and hot baths should be avoided for 48 to 72 hours.

Treated veins typically begin to fade within 3 to 6 weeks. Some veins may initially appear darker or slightly bruised before improving. Full results are usually visible after a few weeks, with further improvement over the following months.

The treated veins are permanently removed and reabsorbed by the body. However, new spider or thread veins can develop over time due to factors such as ageing, hormonal changes or prolonged standing. Maintenance sessions may be recommended if this occurs.

Common, temporary side effects include mild bruising, redness or swelling at the injection site. Temporary skin discolouration (hyperpigmentation) can occasionally occur but typically fades within a few months. Serious complications are rare when the procedure is performed by a trained practitioner.

Sclerotherapy is designed for leg veins. For facial thread veins, IPL (intense pulsed light) or laser treatment is typically more appropriate. Raquel can advise on the best option during your consultation.

Pricing depends on the number of veins and sessions required. Contact us or book a consultation to receive a personalised quote based on your individual needs.
£ 150
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