Visual Sclerotherapy

Visual Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure which is performed in our office to treat visible veins on the surface of your skin. Often, small veins like spider veins are treated this way, but some larger veins can be treated as well. In most cases, visual sclerotherapy sessions are scheduled after the bigger vein issues which are causing the surface veins have been addressed.

The treatment of small surface veins is considered to be cosmetic. Insurance companies don’t typically pay for visual sclerotherapy sessions.

What happens during a Visual Sclerotherapy session?

The sessions last approximately 30 minutes. A medicine called a sclerosing agent is injected into your veins, causing changes which close the veins down. A small gauge needle is used to perform the injections. You may have some mild discomfort, but you should not have significant pain during the procedure.

What should I expect after my Visual Sclerotherapy session?

After the session, compression stockings will be placed on your legs. You wear those stockings around the clock for the first day, then just during the day for the next 3 days.

You may return to work right after the treatment. You should avoid strenuous activity for about 4 days after each procedure. We advise you not to lift anything heavier than 20 lbs during that time, but we do want you to be active. We advise frequent low-impact activity, like walking, starting on the day of the session.

Some bruising is possible. The bruising and any discomfort usually resolve quickly.

The medication causes inflammation in the veins as they close. The veins can look worse after the visual sclerotherapy session. It can take several weeks for successfully treated veins to disappear.

How many sessions will I need?


The sessions are scheduled at four-week intervals until the desired results are achieved.

Successfully treated veins disappear, but CVD is a chronic medical condition. Patients with a history of spider veins tend to develop new ones with time. Regular follow-up visits are recommended.