Vein Doctors Sydney

Vein Specialists for the Northern Beaches and North Shore

Spider veins · Northern Beaches and North Shore

Spider vein treatment in Sydney with sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy treats the fine red, blue and purple veins on the legs with a series of tiny injections. You see Dr Ryan McConnell, an interventional radiologist, in Manly or St Leonards. Your first visit includes an ultrasound check for larger veins underneath that can feed spider veins.

$330 consultation with an ultrasound check$600 per leg, per sessionMost people need 2 to 3 sessionsManly and St Leonards

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We’ll call you to find a time that suits.

Prefer to choose your own time? Book online:

Manly St Leonards

Or request a call back below.

Not for urgent medical concerns. In an emergency, call 000.

Prefer to talk? Call (02) 9023 9970.

Before treatment

Why we check underneath first

Spider veins are small, widened veins close to the skin. On their own they’re usually harmless. Sometimes, though, they’re the visible sign of a faulty larger vein underneath, and treating only the surface means they come back sooner. That’s why your first visit includes an ultrasound check.

Spider veins only
If your ultrasound shows no deeper problem, sclerotherapy can go ahead as planned.
Aching legs or bulging veins too
If a larger vein is feeding them, it's usually treated first. Treating a faulty larger vein may attract a Medicare rebate if it meets the clinical criteria.
Results

Before and after sclerotherapy

Real patients of Dr McConnell, photographed with their consent and without editing. Spider veins fade gradually, and many people need more than one session. Results vary from person to person.

Before treatment: spider veins on the outer thighBefore
After treatment: the same thigh 8 weeks laterAfter
Woman in her 30s, outer thigh8 weeks after a single session of microsclerotherapy
Before treatment: spider veins on the back of the calfBefore
After treatment: the same calf 6 weeks after a second sessionAfter
Woman in her 60s, back of the calf6 weeks after the second of two sessions of microsclerotherapy
Before treatment: spider veins on the backs of both calves and kneesBefore
After treatment: the same legs 6 weeks after a second sessionAfter
Woman in her 50s, backs of both calves6 weeks after the second of two sessions of microsclerotherapy

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Your result depends on your veins, your health and the number of sessions.

How it works

Three steps, no surprises

Dr Ryan McConnell talking with a patient in the Manly consulting room
01
Consultation and ultrasound check
Dr McConnell looks at your veins, asks about your health and what you'd like to achieve, and checks with ultrasound for a deeper vein problem. You leave with a written quote.
02
Sclerotherapy sessions
A very fine needle places a medicine into each small vein, which makes it close and fade. It's done in our rooms as an outpatient procedure and usually takes about 30 minutes per leg. You walk out afterwards wearing compression stockings.
03
Fading over weeks
Treated veins fade gradually over several weeks to months. Most people need 2 to 3 sessions, but it varies with how many veins you have and the result you're after.
Costs and Medicare

You'll have a written quote before you decide

Treating spider veins for their appearance is cosmetic, so Medicare and health funds don’t cover the sclerotherapy itself. The Medicare rebate on your consultation still applies if you have a GP referral.

Consultation
$330
Medicare rebate of $88.40 with a GP referral, so $241.60 out of pocket. Includes an ultrasound check of the veins underneath.
Sclerotherapy
$600
Per leg, per session. Your quote depends on how many veins are treated.
Sessions
Usually 2 to 3
It varies with how many veins you have and the result you're after. We'll estimate how many at your consultation.
Dr Ryan McConnell, interventional radiologist
Your doctor

Dr Ryan McConnell

BMBS, FRANZCR · Interventional radiologist

Dr McConnell is an interventional radiologist. His specialty uses ultrasound and X-ray imaging to treat conditions through a needle instead of open surgery, and he treats both spider veins and the larger veins that can sit behind them.

He is Head of Interventional Radiology at Northern Beaches Hospital and also works at the Mater Hospital. He trained at Royal North Shore Hospital, completing his radiology specialist training and fellowships in interventional radiology and interventional neuroradiology.

At Vein Doctors Sydney he sees you himself, from your first consultation through to treatment and follow-up.

More about Dr McConnell

Book a consultation
Locations

Manly and St Leonards

Reception at Vein Doctors Sydney, Manly
Waiting area in the Manly rooms
Consulting room overlooking Manly
Manly
Suite 503, 39 East Esplanade, Manly NSW 2095
Monday to Thursday 8:30 am to 5 pm
Friday 7:30 am to 5 pm
Get directions
St Leonards
Suite 3, Level 2, North Shore Health Hub, 7 Westbourne Street, St Leonards NSW 2065
Monday to Thursday 8:30 am to 5 pm
Friday 7:30 am to 5 pm
Get directions

Both rooms are wheelchair and pram accessible. We treat adults aged 18 and over.

Questions

Common questions about spider veins

The first consultation is $330, and Medicare pays a rebate of $88.40 if you have a GP referral. Sclerotherapy is about $600 per leg, per session, and most people need 2 to 3 sessions. Because treating spider veins for their appearance is cosmetic, Medicare and health funds don’t cover the sclerotherapy itself. You’ll get a written quote at your consultation before anything is booked.

Most people need 2 to 3 sessions, but it varies with how many veins you have and the result you’re after. We’ll give you an estimate at your consultation.

A session usually takes about 30 minutes per leg. You’ll need to wear compression stockings after treatment. How long you wear them varies, so we’ll tell you what’s right for you on the day.

The needle is very fine. Most people feel a brief sting or cramp with each injection, and you can walk out straight afterwards.

Bruising, redness and some brown staining along the treated veins are common and usually fade with time. Less often, a cluster of tiny new veins can appear near a treated area, or a small area of skin can be irritated. We’ll go through the risks and your aftercare at your consultation.

On their own, spider veins are usually harmless. Sometimes they’re a sign of a faulty larger vein underneath, especially if you also have aching legs, swelling or bulging veins. That’s why we check with ultrasound before treatment.

Usually not. They tend to stay, and new ones can appear over time, particularly with age, pregnancy and a family history of vein problems.

Treated veins usually stay closed, but new ones can appear over time because the tendency often runs in families. Some people come back for a top-up session.

For spider veins on the legs, we use sclerotherapy, which treats each vein directly by injection. We use laser for fine veins on the face.

You can book before you have one, but please get a referral from your GP before your appointment. It means Dr McConnell can keep your GP updated about your care. With a referral and a Medicare card, you can also claim the $88.40 rebate on your consultation.

Start with a consultation and a written quote

Book a consultation and ultrasound check in Manly or St Leonards.

Book a consultation
(02) 9023 9970

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Information on this page is general and isn't a substitute for advice about your own health.

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