Spider veins can be caused by hormonal changes, sun damage or local injury. They can also occur as a result of larger underlying varicose veins which are not always visible. It is important that spider veins are fully investigated using ultrasound to identify the incompetent valves within veins that cause varicose veins, as failure to treat these usually results in early recurrence of spider veins and a poor cosmetic outcome.

Microsclerotherapy is a treatment for spider veins which involves injecting a chemical substance called “sclerosant” using fine needles. The sclerosant irritates the inner wall of the veins and causes them to become inflamed; the vein walls then stick together and the vein disappears.

The sclerosant we use is polidoconol and occasionally we use sodium tetradecyl sulphate (fibrovein), which has been used in the treatment of varicose and spider veins since 1946.

The number of treatments needed depends on the size and extent of the veins. Several injections into the veins of one or both legs can be performed at each session, however the amount of sclerosant that can be injected in a single treatment will limit the number of injections you can have. If only a small number of spider veins are to be treated, sometimes only two or three treatments will be adequate. More extensive or prominent varicose veins may require a series of treatment sessions in order to reach the desired result.

Your doctor will advise you on the number of treatments you are likely to need.

Depending on the size of the area and number of veins to be treated, the treatment can take from 20 to 40 minutes. After keeping your legs elevated for 10 minutes, you will be able to go home after your treatment.

We advise that you leave 6 weeks between each treatment session in order for the results of each treatment to be clear.

The injections do tend to sting slightly but they are rarely painful, as only fine needles are used during the treatment. Some people do experience a burning sensation immediately after the treatment, but this usually only lasts a few seconds.

It depends on many factors, including the technique of injection, the type, and strength of the solution used in sclerotherapy, the density and thickness of the vessels in a given area, as well as the skin complexion of the patient. In our experience, most spider veins disappear between 2 weeks and two months. Reticular veins may require more than one session to disappear.

The procedure is carried out by experienced vascular doctors. The sclerosant has been safely used for varicose and spider veins for many years; however, as with any medical treatment, it is not entirely without risk.

Spider vein sclerotherapy is a low risk procedure. However, as with all procedures there are some rare complications that can occur. These include:

• Hyperpigmentation: Light brown staining can rarely occur along the course of the treated veins. This typically resolves over several months.
• Telangiectatic matting: This is rare but a small proportion of patients can develop a network of fine new veins around the injection site.
• Skin ulceration (extremely rare).