Duration of the treatment 30 mins–1 hour
Fit for Everyday Life Immediate
Recovery Time 48-72 hours
Follow-up Treatment 2–4 sessions, 4–6 weeks
Treatment offered at All clinics

What Is Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a safe, non-surgical procedure that involves injecting a solution directly into the affected vein. The treatment is well practised and refined, giving clinicians a long track record to draw on when treating thread veins, spider veins and reticular veins.

A chemical solution, or sclerosing agent, is injected at several points along the vein through a very fine needle. The solution irritates the vein lining, causing the vein walls to collapse and the blood to reroute through healthier veins.

The collapsed vein is then gradually reabsorbed into the surrounding tissue, fading over 2 to 8 weeks, leaving clearer, more even-looking skin.

sclerotherapy

What to Expect During Your Appointment

  • Your sclerotherapy appointment starts with a chat about the veins you’d like treated and how many sessions you’re likely to need. Our team of experienced therapists, who specialise in thread vein removal, will check that sclerotherapy is the right choice for your veins before going ahead.
  • Using a very fine needle, the solution is injected at several points along the vein. Most people describe it as no more uncomfortable than plucking a hair, just a quick pinch as the needle touches the skin, and there’s no need for a topical anaesthetic.
  • Afterwards, cotton wool and a compression wrap may be applied over the injection sites to help the veins stay collapsed while they heal, and you’ll be asked to wear compression stockings for at least three days (you won’t need to wear them overnight). Beyond that, you can get straight back to your normal day.

You’ll usually need two to four sessions in total, spaced four to six weeks apart, to get the best results.

sclerotherapy
Benefit one

Fades or clears treated veins

For many people, sclerotherapy fades treated thread veins, spider veins and reticular veins, sometimes clearing them almost completely.

Benefit two

Visible results from the outset

Most people see a change straight after treatment, continuing to improve over the following weeks as the treated veins fade.

Benefit three

No hospital stay needed

This is a walk-in, walk-out treatment carried out at your appointment, with no need for a hospital visit.

Benefit four

Minimal downtime

You can get straight back to your day. You'll wear compression stockings for a few days afterwards, but there's no recovery time to plan around.

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    Why Choose Aesthetics of Essex for Sclerotherapy?

    With three clinics across Upminster, Rayleigh and Maldon, fitting in a course of quick, repeat sessions is straightforward – book whichever clinic and time suits your week.

    Every sclerotherapy treatment is carried out by one of our experienced therapists who specialise in thread vein removal. If your veins would respond better to a different treatment, such as laser vein removal or ThermaVein, we’ll say so at your consultation and ensure you have all the advice you need.

    It’s important to us that you feel safe and in good hands. Please do feel free to ask to view your practitioner’s full certificate when you’re in the clinic.

    B12 Injections – Frame at Aesthetics of Essex

    Sclerotherapy Pricing

    Sclerotherapy

    Price on consultation

    Typical course: 2 to 4 sessions

    Your exact sclerotherapy cost, and how many sessions you're likely to need, will be confirmed at your free consultation. Sclerotherapy is one of those treatments where the real cost is the course, not the single session. As most people need two to four visits, we're upfront about that from your very first consultation, so you know the likely total before you commit to anything.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What are thread veins?

    Thread veins, also called spider veins, are the small blue, purple or red veins that show just underneath the skin. They’re not harmful, but lots of people find them noticeable and want them treated, especially when they’re on show on the legs.

    What causes thread veins?

    Although the exact cause is unknown, there could be many reasons why they appear, such as hereditary factors, heat, alcohol and hormonal changes. These are all believed to be triggers for this condition, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be treated.

    Does sclerotherapy hurt?

    Usually, only the very tip of the needle goes into the skin. It can feel like a tiny scratch, but it shouldn’t be any more uncomfortable than plucking a hair.

    Am I suitable for sclerotherapy?

    Sclerotherapy is especially well suited to thread veins on the legs. If you have large areas of leg veins affected, laser vein removal may suit you better, and very small thread veins that are difficult to inject are sometimes treated with microwave treatment instead. Sclerotherapy isn’t suitable if you have large varicose veins, or if you’ve previously had veins removed surgically. The best way to find out whether it’s right for your veins is to book a free consultation, where we’ll talk through the options with you, including ThermaVein if that would suit you better.

    Will I need downtime?

    No. We’d suggest taking it easy while your body recovers, and wearing compression stockings can help too, but there’s no set recovery time to plan around.

    How quickly will I see results?

    You’ll notice a difference straightaway, and this will keep improving over around 8 weeks as the treated veins fade.

    How often will I need treatment, and how many sessions will I need?

    How many veins we treat in one session depends on their size and location, so appointments can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.

    How many sessions you’ll need overall depends on factors like the thickness and length of the veins, and your age and general health, and we’ll advise you on this at your free consultation. Most people need two to four sessions in total, spaced around four to six weeks apart.

    How much does sclerotherapy cost in the UK?

    The exact cost depends on how many veins need treating and how many sessions you’ll need overall, which is why we confirm pricing at your free consultation rather than quoting a single figure upfront.

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