Sclerotherapy for Spider Veins: What to Expect During and After Treatment

Those fine blue and purple veins that appear on the thighs, calves and ankles are one of the most common things people ask us about at Wellface, and they rarely turn up alone. You spot one, then a small cluster, then you find yourself reaching for longer skirts and darker tights in summer. They are harmless in the vast majority of cases, but they can quietly chip away at how comfortable you feel in your own skin.

In one of her recent clinic videos, Dr Amina Albeyatti talked through sclerotherapy, the treatment she uses to fade these veins, with her usual calm and a smile. It is a straightforward, doctor-led procedure that has been used for decades, and the reason it stays popular is simple: it works well, it is quick, and most people are back on their feet and getting on with their day almost immediately.

This article walks through what sclerotherapy actually is, how a session unfolds, what recovery looks like, and who tends to benefit most. If you have been squinting at your legs in the mirror wondering whether anything can be done, this should give you a clear, honest picture.

What sclerotherapy is and how it works

Sclerotherapy is a simple medical procedure that targets the small, unsightly surface veins on the legs, the ones that show up as thread-like blue, red or purple lines just beneath the skin. Most people call them spider veins, and the medical name is telangiectasia. The treatment can also help with slightly larger reticular veins, the feeding veins that sit a little deeper and keep supplying blood to the visible clusters above.

The technique itself is elegant in its simplicity. Dr Amina injects a very small amount of a sclerosing agent directly into the vein using an extremely fine needle. The needle is so fine that most people barely feel it going in. That solution irritates the inner lining of the vein wall and, in Dr Amina's own words, effectively glues the walls together. The vein collapses, blood can no longer flow through it, and over the following weeks the body gradually reabsorbs the treated vessel. Blood simply reroutes through the many healthy veins nearby, which is why closing off these surface veins does no harm to your circulation.

As the vein fades, the discolouration in the overlying skin lifts too, leaving a more even skin tone. It is worth being clear about the timeline here, because this is not an instant result. The vein has to seal, break down and disappear, and that process takes time rather than happening overnight.

Why the feeding veins matter

One thing Dr Amina is careful to explain is that spider veins are often fed by slightly larger vessels underneath. If you only treat the visible surface veins and ignore the ones feeding them, the problem tends to creep back. That is why a proper assessment looks at the whole picture, mapping out which veins connect to which, so the source is treated and not just the symptom. It is also part of the reason most people need more than one session.

What happens during a session

A sclerotherapy appointment is quick and undramatic. Each session lasts around half an hour, which gives Dr Amina enough time to work methodically across an area and treat both the visible veins and the feeding veins that supply them.

You will be lying comfortably while she works. The area is cleaned, and then a series of tiny injections are placed along the veins being treated. Because the needle is so fine, most people describe the sensation as a small prick or a mild stinging that passes quickly. There is no need for anaesthetic, and there is nothing to numb beforehand. Many patients are surprised by how manageable it is, particularly if they had built it up in their minds beforehand.

The number of injections depends entirely on how many veins you have and how widespread they are. Some people have a single small patch behind one knee. Others have clusters across both legs. Dr Amina will talk you through what she is treating and roughly how many sessions she expects you will need to get a proper result.

How many sessions will I need?

Most people need a course of a few sessions rather than a one-off. The exact number varies with the extent of the veins, how large they are and how your body responds, but a typical plan runs to somewhere in the region of two to five sessions spaced a few weeks apart. Larger clusters and stubborn feeding veins often take a little more persistence. Spacing the appointments out gives each treated vein time to fade and lets your doctor see clearly what still needs attention, so nothing is over-treated.

Downtime and aftercare

This is where sclerotherapy really earns its place as a lunchtime treatment. As Dr Amina puts it, you can get straight up and carry on with your day. There is no general anaesthetic, no incisions and no lengthy recovery. Most people walk out and go back to work, the school run or the shops within minutes.

That said, a little sensible aftercare makes a real difference to your results, and a few simple habits in the days afterwards help the treated veins settle cleanly.

Walking is actively encouraged. Gentle movement keeps the blood flowing through your healthy veins and supports the healing process, so a normal amount of walking on the day of treatment is a good thing rather than something to avoid. What you want to steer clear of for the first few days is the more intense end of activity, so no heavy gym sessions, long runs or anything that leaves you red and overheated.

Compression is the other key part. You may be advised to wear compression stockings for a short period after treatment, often a day or two, sometimes longer depending on the veins treated. The gentle pressure helps the vein walls stay closed, reduces bruising and generally speeds up healing. It is one of the easiest things you can do to get the best out of your sessions.

For the first week or so, it is also wise to avoid heat and strong sunlight on the treated legs. That means giving hot baths, saunas, steam rooms and sunbeds a miss, and keeping the area out of direct sun or protected with a high SPF. Heat encourages the veins to dilate, and sun exposure on freshly treated skin can leave temporary brown marks. Skipping fake tan on the area for a little while is sensible too.

Is there anything I might notice afterwards?

Some mild after-effects are completely normal and settle on their own. You may see a little redness, tenderness or bruising around the injection points, and the treated veins can look slightly raised or darker before they start to fade. Occasionally there is some temporary brown pigmentation along the line of a treated vein, which usually clears over the following weeks to months. These are expected parts of the process rather than signs anything has gone wrong, and Dr Amina will always talk you through what to look out for at your appointment.

When you will see results

Patience is the watchword with sclerotherapy. The veins do not vanish the moment you leave the clinic; they fade gradually as your body breaks them down. Smaller spider veins often start to improve within a few weeks, while larger veins and clusters can take a couple of months to disappear fully.

Because the results build over a series of sessions, the fullest picture usually emerges once your course is complete and the last treated veins have had time to settle. It is genuinely satisfying to look back at where you started, as the leg looks clearer and the skin tone more even than it did at the outset.

It is also worth being realistic about the future. Sclerotherapy treats the veins you have now very effectively, but it cannot stop new veins from forming later. Genetics, hormones, pregnancy, standing for long periods and simply getting older all play a part in why spider veins appear. Some people find they like to come back for a top-up session down the line, and that is entirely normal.

Who is a good candidate

Sclerotherapy suits most healthy adults who are bothered by small surface veins on their legs and want a non-surgical way to address them. If your main concern is the cosmetic appearance of spider veins or fine reticular veins, it is often an excellent option.

There are some situations where it is not the right choice, or where timing matters. It is not carried out during pregnancy, and there are certain medical conditions and medications that need to be discussed first. Very large, bulging varicose veins, the rope-like ones that stand proud of the skin, may need a different assessment and sometimes a different type of treatment altogether. This is exactly why a consultation comes first. Dr Amina will examine your legs, take a history and make sure sclerotherapy is genuinely the best route for you before anything is booked.

Common questions about sclerotherapy

Does sclerotherapy hurt?

Most people find it very tolerable. The needle used is extremely fine, so the injections feel like a small pinprick, sometimes with a brief stinging or cramping sensation as the solution goes in. It settles within moments. No anaesthetic is needed, and the whole session is over in around half an hour.

How soon can I go back to normal activities?

Almost straight away. There is no meaningful downtime, so you can walk out and return to work or your usual routine the same day. The only real limits are avoiding strenuous exercise, hot baths, saunas and strong sun for the first few days, and wearing compression stockings if your doctor recommends them.

Will the veins come back?

The specific veins that are treated are sealed off and reabsorbed, so those particular ones do not return. However, the tendency to develop spider veins does not go away, so new ones can appear over time. Many people choose to have occasional maintenance sessions to keep their legs looking clear.

How many treatments will I need?

It depends on how many veins you have and how they respond, but most people need a short course of a few sessions spaced a few weeks apart. Larger or more widespread clusters generally take a little longer. Your doctor will give you a realistic idea at your consultation.

Can I have it done in summer?

You can have sclerotherapy at any time of year, but many people prefer to start in autumn or winter. That way the veins have time to fade and any temporary sun sensitivity has passed before the warmer months, when legs are more likely to be on show.

Book a consultation at Wellface

If those blue and purple veins have been bothering you, the best next step is a proper look in person. At Wellface, sclerotherapy is carried out by an experienced doctor who will assess your legs, explain exactly what is involved and put together a plan that suits you. Dr Amina Albeyatti and the wider medical team see this concern all the time, and they will give you a straight answer about what is realistic.

You can arrange a consultation at any of our clinics in Cobham, Esher or Wimbledon. Get in touch to book a time that works for you, and let's talk through how to get your legs feeling comfortable and looking clearer again.