Sclerotherapy Before & After: What to Expect

Sclerotherapy is a simple in-office procedure with a recovery most patients barely notice — but the results take longer to show up than people expect. Here's the honest timeline, start to finish.

How it works

A medical solution called a sclerosant is injected directly into the affected vein. It irritates the vein wall, causing it to collapse and stick together; the vein then fades from view over the following weeks as your body gradually absorbs it. It's a well-established, minimally invasive treatment for spider veins, small to medium varicose veins, reticular veins, and the leg discomfort that comes with them.

Before treatment

The first visit is a consultation and vein evaluation — identifying which veins are good candidates for sclerotherapy and mapping a treatment plan, since not every vein pattern responds the same way.

During the procedure

The injections themselves take well under an hour in most cases. Discomfort is minimal — a brief pinch or mild burning sensation at each injection site, nothing that requires anesthesia.

Recovery, honestly

Most people go straight back to normal activity the same day. What to expect in the days after:

• Mild bruising or redness at injection sites, usually resolving within a couple of weeks
• Slight swelling, which is normal and temporary
• Compression stockings, typically recommended for a period afterward to support the treated veins while they fade
• Walking is encouraged; prolonged sitting or standing right after treatment is usually discouraged

When you'll actually see results

This is the part most people underestimate: sclerotherapy results are not immediate. Smaller spider veins typically fade within 3–6 weeks; larger varicose veins can take 3–4 months to fully resolve. Results build gradually rather than appearing all at once, which is normal and not a sign the treatment isn't working.

How many sessions you'll need

Depends on the number and size of the veins being treated. A handful of spider veins might clear in one or two sessions. More extensive varicose vein involvement often needs several sessions spaced a few weeks apart, giving each round time to work before the next.

Maintaining your results

Sclerotherapy resolves the treated veins, but it doesn't prevent new ones from developing over time — compression stockings, staying active, and avoiding long periods of standing all help protect your results and reduce the odds of new veins forming.