MICROSCLEROTHERAPY 

 

Fed up and embarrassed by unsightly veins on the leg? Micro-sclerotherapy may be a solution, as it is a highly effective and safe cosmetic procedure that has been utilised for over 80 years and is the 'Gold Standard' treatment for removal of spider thread veins on the legs.

 

WHAT IS MICROSCLEROTHERAPY?

 

It is a medical procedure used to shut down unwanted veins by injecting a sclerosing chemical agent destroying the targeted veins.  A tiny needle is used, so it is not very painful and works well for most patients. Both thread (red spider) and Reticular (blue) veins can be successfully treated. This is not a treatment for dilated (bulging) varicose veins.

 

WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE AND HOW MANY SESSION DOES IT TAKE?

 

Three to five sessions are normally required to successfully treat targeted veins. Treatments are given 8-12 weeks apart and treated veins usually respond in 3 to 6 months. We recommend an ideal time to start this treatment is during the winter months.

 

WHO IS THE TREATMENT FOR?

 

There are a number of clients who should not consider this treatment including those that:

 

 

• have a known allergy to sclerosants;

• are pregnant;

• are taking the contraceptive pill;

• have a local skin infection;

• have heart disease requiring surgery;

• have varicose veins 

• have an uncontrolled disease e.g. diabetes;

• have weak valves in your heart which require surgery;

• are unable to walk

• pregnant or breast-feeding women.

 

 

WHAT HAPPENS DURING A MICROSCLEROPTHERAPY TREATMENT AND DOES IT HURT?

 

The first time you visit the clinic, a detailed consultation including relevant medical history will be undertaken to ensure the treatment is right for you and you understand what is involved in the treatment and aftercare.

 

You will be asked to sign a consent form, which means that you have understood what the treatment may do, and the potential side effects.

Photographs may also be taken that can be used as a “before and after” comparison to show you how successful your treatment has been.

 

THE PROCEDURE

 

During sclerotherapy, mild discomfort may be felt for a couple minutes when veins are injected with a sclerosing agent. The sclerotherapy treatment itself usually takes approximately 30-60 minutes.

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Following injections, a dressing may be taped over the treated area, and a  special bandage and compression stocking will be applied which may be worn for several weeks to help assist shrinkage of the thread veins.

 

You can usually drive and go about your normal daily activities straight away.

 

Repeat procedures

 

A single blood vessel may have to be injected more than once, depending on its size.

 

Repeat injection sessions can be scheduled one week later, but it is better to wait one month between treatments.

 

 

WHAT IS THE DOWNTIME AND RISKS POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS?

 

Immediately after treatment you may have some itching and/or some  burning at the injection site, and some patients experience restlessness in their legs during the first few nights. This is due to the swelling of the walls of the veins.

 

The veins will look worse initially and may appear more prominent for the first few weeks-THIS IS NORMAL. 

The veins gradually begin to fade and continue to improve for up to 8 weeks. After this time, a brownish discolouration of the skin may continue and may take many months to fade away.

 

Complications following microsclerotherapy are very rare, but the solution can sometimes escape from the veins and cause inflammation in the skin surrounding the treated area. There is also a small risk of the development of tiny ulcers, which may leave a small pink or white scar on healing.

 

HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?

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It is not always possible to achieve 100% clearance, BUT we aim for at least 60-80% improvement in their appearance. THE RESULTS ARE NOT IMMEDIATE PATIENCE IS NEEDED.

Occasionally you may also find new veins developing in the treated areas, or even old veins flaring up again.

 

 

A consultation and lesion analysis will be carried out at JK Skin Aesthetics by our qualified practitioner before any procedure. This includes diagnosis of the lesion/veins, full explanation of treatment procedure, expected downtime and accurate quotation. Following treatment, clients will be given specific aftercare instructions.

A non-refundable fee of £30 is required to secure a consultation appointment.