What Is Sclerotherapy?
Skin CareSkin Treatments & Procedures

What Is Sclerotherapy for Spider Veins and Varicose Veins?

What Is Sclerotherapy for Spider Veins and Varicose Veins?
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Updated on January 30, 2026
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Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure that treats spider veins and varicose veins. These are veins that have become visible or enlarged due to weakened or damaged valves.

Treatment involves injecting a solution into the vein, causing it to scar, which then reroutes blood through healthier veins. The procedure can improve the cosmetic appearance of veins and reduce symptoms such as swelling, aching, cramping, or burning.

Who May Benefit From Sclerotherapy?

You may benefit from sclerotherapy if you want to improve the appearance of your varicose veins or spider veins. You may also consider having the procedure if your affected veins are causing pain or discomfort.

Due to the risk of complications, you’re not eligible for sclerotherapy if you:

  • Are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Have an active deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or superficial blood clot
  • Are bedridden

Your doctor might also suggest skipping sclerotherapy on a vein that might require a surgical bypass procedure in the future. For instance, the saphenous veins, which send blood in your feet and legs back to your heart, are often used for coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Sclerotherapy works best on smaller varicose veins. If you have very large or severe varicose veins, your doctor may recommend surgery instead.

In some cases, sclerotherapy may also help treat:

  • Hemorrhoids
  • Lymphatic malformations (problems with vessels that carry lymph fluid around the body)
  • Hydroceles (fluid-filled sacs that form around the testicle)

How Is Sclerotherapy Performed?

Typically, a dermatologist, vascular surgeon, or vein specialist performs sclerotherapy. The procedure is done at your provider’s office and doesn’t require the use of anesthesia.

Your doctor will instruct you to lie on your back or your stomach, depending on the area receiving treatment.

Before treatment begins, your doctor may perform a test injection to make sure you don’t experience a reaction. Then, your doctor will clean the area with alcohol and stretch your skin at the spot where they will inject the solution. They may use an ultrasound to help locate the affected vein.

Next, the doctor will use very thin needles to inject a liquid or foam solution into your blood vessel. Common sclerosing agents include hypertonic saline and sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS). They will repeat this process on other veins, if necessary. The solution works by irritating the lining of the vein so that it swells shut and blocks blood flow.

After they remove the needle, your provider will apply compression and massage the area to spread out the solution and keep blood out of the injected vein.

The entire procedure typically takes around 30 to 45 minutes.

How to Prepare for Sclerotherapy

Before the procedure, your doctor will give you specific instructions for how to prepare. They will also perform a physical examination and ask about your medical history.

Tell your doctor about any medications or supplements you take prior to having sclerotherapy. You may need to stop taking certain medications, such as:

  • Antibiotics, including tetracycline or minocycline
  • Aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil)
  • Blood thinners
  • Prednisone (Rayos, Sterapred)
  • Iron supplements or vitamins containing iron

Your provider will tell you how long you should stop taking these medications and when it’s safe to resume using them.

Here are some other guidelines to help you prepare for your procedure:

  • Don’t apply any moisturizers or other cosmetic products to your legs before sclerotherapy.
  • Bring a pair of shorts to wear during the procedure.
  • If you have compression stockings or your doctor requests you wear them after the procedure, bring them with you so you can put them on after treatment is over.
  • If your doctor recommends it, make plans to have someone drive you home after your procedure.

What Are the Risks and Complications of Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is generally considered a safe procedure. However, potential risks include:

  • Infection
  • Inflammation around the injection site
  • Blood clot or DVT
  • Allergic reaction to the injected solution
Contact your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms:

  • Sudden swelling in your leg
  • Swelling within five inches of your groin
  • Small ulcers at the injection site
  • Red streaking on your skin, especially near your groin
  • Difficulty breathing, chest pain, dizziness, or coughing up blood
  • Headaches, fainting, or nausea

What to Expect During Sclerotherapy

During the procedure, you might feel:

  • Mild discomfort
  • Cramping
  • A mild burning sensation
You may also feel pain if the solution leaks from the vein into your surrounding tissue. If you experience a lot of pain, let your doctor know.

What Are the Side Effects of Sclerotherapy?

Possible side effects of sclerotherapy include the following:

  • Injected veins may appear lumpy or hardened. This can last for several months.
  • Your skin may be red or itchy around the treatment area. This should get better within a few days.
  • Spots or brown lines may show up on your skin where the solution was injected. These usually go away within a few months, but they can be permanent.
  • You may have bruises at the injection site that last days or weeks.
  • Small blood vessels can develop in the area that was treated. They should fade away within a few months.

Care After Sclerotherapy

Recovery from sclerotherapy is generally very quick, and many people return to their normal activities right away.

You’ll be able to walk soon after the procedure, and your doctor may suggest movement to help prevent blood clots from forming. However, you should avoid strenuous exercise for about two weeks after the procedure.

For about two days following your treatment, you should:

  • Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, and other anti-inflammatory medications. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is okay for pain relief.
  • Keep the injection site clean by washing with mild soap and lukewarm water.
  • Avoid taking hot baths or applying heat to the affected area.
  • Keep the affected area out of direct sunlight.
As part of your aftercare, your provider will ask you to wear compression stockings or bandages for about two weeks.

Your doctor will probably want to see you for a follow-up appointment about a month or two after your procedure.

Results From Sclerotherapy

Results from sclerotherapy aren’t immediate. It usually takes about three to six weeks to notice a change. Larger veins may take three to four months or longer.

One session of sclerotherapy may successfully eliminate 50 to 80 percent of injected veins. However, in about 10 percent of cases, the treatment isn’t effective. Instead, your doctor may recommend a different method, such as surgery or laser therapy.

Veins that respond to treatment won’t reappear, but new varicose veins may form over time. If this happens, you may need additional treatments.

The Takeaway

  • Sclerotherapy is an effective, minimally invasive treatment that can help reduce the appearance and discomfort caused by spider and varicose veins. It involves injecting a solution into an affected vein.
  • You may not be a candidate for sclerotherapy if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have an active blood clot, or are bedridden.
  • Post-procedure, wearing compression stockings and avoiding strenuous activities for a short period may aid recovery and enhance results.
  • While generally safe, sclerotherapy can have side effects such as skin discoloration or localized reactions. Contact your doctor right away if you experience severe symptoms such as swelling, difficulty breathing, or dizziness.

Resources We Trust

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Mayo Clinic Staff. Varicose Veins. Mayo Clinic. February 6, 2024.
  2. Sclerotherapy. Cleveland Clinic. June 12, 2022.
  3. Beneat A et al. Sclerotherapy. StatPearls. January 11, 2024.
  4. Sclerotherapy. Boston Children’s Hospital.
  5. Rashid S et al. Sclerotherapy in the Treatment of Hydroceles: A Comprehensive Review of the Efficacy, Types of Sclerosants, and Comparative Outcomes Against Hydrocelectomy. Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal. April 6, 2024.
  6. Mayo Clinic Staff. Sclerotherapy. Mayo Clinic. February 18, 2025.
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Jane Yoo

Jane Yoo, MD, MPP

Medical Reviewer

Dr. Jane Yoo is an internationally recognized Korean American dual board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon practicing in New York City. She graduated with a bachelor of science in biology from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and obtained a master's degree in public policy from Harvard University.

Yoo completed her dermatology residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine followed by a Mohs Micrographic Surgery fellowship at Yale School of Medicine. She is the founder of the Clinical Research Center of New York and conducts clinical trials for numerous skincare, pharmaceutical, and energy-based device companies.

As a spokesperson for the Skin Cancer Foundation, she is a staunch advocate for skin cancer prevention and lobbying for better sunscreen regulation in the United States. She's also an Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star Finisher and is currently training for the Sydney Marathon.

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