If you’re dealing with varicose or spider veins, sclerotherapy remains one of the most trusted and effective treatments available. At Lakeshore Vein & Aesthetics Clinic, we offer this minimally invasive procedure to help restore comfort, circulation, and confidence in your legs.
Here’s a detailed overview of what sclerotherapy involves, how it works, and what to expect before and after your treatment.
How Sclerotherapy Works
Sclerotherapy involves injecting a special solution directly into diseased veins using fine needles. This solution irritates the vein walls, causing them to collapse and eventually be absorbed by the body as harmless scar tissue. Once treated, the faulty vein is no longer able to carry blood, and that’s actually a good thing. Your body reroutes the blood through healthy veins, improving overall circulation in the process.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
The number of treatments depends on the severity and depth of your vein condition. During your first visit, we’ll conduct a detailed ultrasound assessment to check for any larger veins beneath the skin that may be contributing to the issue, even if they aren’t visible.
Typically, we begin by addressing larger veins before moving on to smaller surface veins. If you only have a few visible spider veins, one or two treatments may be enough. However, patients with more extensive vein issues may need additional sessions to achieve optimal results.
Treatment Frequency
To allow the legs to heal between sessions, we generally recommend spacing treatments at least one week apart. If you’re visiting from out of town, we can sometimes treat each leg on separate days to speed up the process.
Cost and Coverage in British Columbia
If your vein condition qualifies as medical (rather than cosmetic), BC’s provincial health care plan covers up to six sclerotherapy sessions per year—three per leg. While we aim to complete treatment within these sessions, some cases may require more. If additional treatments are needed, we can either wait until the next year’s coverage resets or continue treatment as a private-pay cosmetic service.
Additional costs may apply:
- Medication fees (may be covered by extended health benefits)
- Ultrasound-guided treatment, if needed
- Compression stockings are essential for recovery (available at the clinic at an affordable price)
We’ll walk you through a detailed breakdown of any fees during your consultation.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Sclerotherapy is a well-tolerated procedure with minimal downtime, but like all medical treatments, it may cause temporary side effects:
- Bruising at the injection site (resolves in 2–3 weeks)
- Hyperpigmentation, or skin darkening near the treated vein (typically fades within 3–6 months)
- Matting – fine, reddish blood vessels that can appear after treatment (usually temporary)
- Mild tenderness or inflammation in the treated area
- Superficial thrombophlebitis, a localized irritation in larger treated veins
- Allergic reactions, though rare, can occur (especially in patients with multiple allergies)
More serious complications are extremely uncommon. If you have any concerns, our team will ensure they are addressed during your appointment.
How Effective Is Sclerotherapy?
Most patients see a marked improvement or complete resolution of the treated veins. While we cannot promise 100% clearance of every vein, sclerotherapy remains one of the most reliable options for visible vein concerns.
Can I Treat Varicose Veins Naturally?
Unfortunately, there’s no credible scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of home remedies, herbal treatments, or “natural” therapies for varicose or spider veins. While products like horse chestnut extract are sometimes recommended, their benefits remain unproven in clinical research.
As Dr. Janna Bentley puts it:
“There is no research to support any claims for home remedies or DIY therapy that can reduce or erase varicose veins.”
Lifestyle Changes: Can They Help?
While you can’t prevent varicose veins altogether—genetics plays a major role—healthy lifestyle habits may help manage symptoms:
- Staying active
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Elevating your legs when resting
- Avoiding prolonged sitting or standing
- Wearing compression stockings
These habits can improve comfort but won’t eliminate existing varicose veins.
Alternatives to Sclerotherapy
Other treatment options include:
- Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) – A highly effective, minimally invasive laser treatment offered at our clinic. It’s ideal for larger veins and comes with little downtime. (Note: not covered by BC’s health plan.)
- Vein stripping or surgical ligation – A more invasive option with higher risks, now less commonly performed.
- Laser treatment for spider veins – Often used in combination with sclerotherapy for best results.
Our doctor will help determine the most suitable approach based on your condition.
Preparing for Your Appointment
To make the most of your treatment, please follow these simple guidelines before your visit:
- Avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen, or other NSAIDs for 48 hours prior
- Skip shaving your legs on the day of your appointment
- Do not apply lotion or cream to your legs
- Wear loose pants or a skirt for comfort
- Minimize tanning beforehand to reduce the risk of pigmentation
Aftercare and Recovery
Right after your session, you’ll be fitted with compression stockings and asked to go for a 30-minute walk. You’ll continue to wear the stockings daily for about a week to support healing and improve outcomes.
You can return to work or light activities almost immediately, but avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for a few days. It’s also best to keep your legs out of the sun until any bruising has resolved—usually within 2–3 weeks. Use SPF 30 or higher if sun exposure is unavoidable.
Ready to Learn More?
If you’re curious about whether sclerotherapy is right for you, book a consultation at Lakeshore Vein & Aesthetics Clinic. As the leader in varicose vein treatment in BC, our team will perform a thorough assessment and create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Let’s make the world a more beautiful place, one leg at a time.
