The gold-standard injectable treatment for leg spider veins and small varicose veins — performed by a vascular physician.
Sclerotherapy is a time-tested medical procedure for eliminating spider veins and small varicose veins. A specialized liquid or foam solution, called a sclerosant, is injected directly into the targeted vein through a very fine needle. Agents such as Asclera are used for this purpose.
The solution irritates the lining of the blood vessel, causing it to swell and stick together. Over the following weeks the treated vein collapses, becomes scar tissue, and is absorbed by the body's own metabolic processes. It is an outpatient procedure. There is no anesthesia, no hospital, and no meaningful downtime.
At Ivy Wellness & Aesthetics it is performed by Dr. Ivy Lawson, MD, a double board-certified vascular and interventional radiologist. If you are weighing sclerotherapy against other options, or you are not yet sure what kind of veins you have, start with spider vein treatment instead — that page covers the condition and the full range of options.
Surface veins are often fed by larger reticular and feeder veins sitting below them. Where the pattern of veins suggests that is happening, a vein ultrasound is performed first so the feeder is treated rather than only the branch. This is the part most cosmetic sclerotherapy skips, and it is the usual reason treated veins reappear.
Recovery is straightforward, but the aftercare is what protects the result.
Many people see a noticeable difference after a single visit, but most patients need between two and four sessions to reach total clearance. Sessions are spaced several weeks apart to give the body time to absorb the collapsed veins. Small veins typically fade within three to six weeks; larger vessels can take three to four months for the full result.
Legs often look worse before they look better, and that is expected rather than a sign the treatment failed. In the weeks after a session you may see:
Most of this settles on its own. Judging the result two weeks after an appointment is judging it halfway through.
Sclerotherapy suits larger feeder veins and medium-sized blue or purple vessels. Very fine, surface-level red veins — particularly facial capillaries around the nose and cheeks — are usually too small for a needle and respond better to laser and IPL treatment. Where an assessment points to true varicose disease or significant venous insufficiency, cosmetic injection is not the first step and you will be told so.
Sclerotherapy is a simple procedure that is easy to do adequately and hard to do well. The difference sits in the assessment: which vein is feeding which, which vessels to treat in what order, and when to image before injecting. That is ordinary work for a vascular and interventional radiologist. We treat patients from Cooper City, Davie, Weston, Pembroke Pines, Southwest Ranches and across Broward County.
Most patients find the procedure very tolerable. The needle is extremely thin. You may feel a slight prick or a mild burning sensation for a few seconds as the solution enters the vein, and it subsides quickly.
Sensitivity differs from person to person and between treatment areas. If discomfort is a concern for you, raise it at your complimentary consultation — it is a normal thing to ask and it changes how the appointment is planned.
Sclerotherapy is charged by the session, which makes the real question how many sessions your legs need. That is answered by looking at the veins, not at a price list.
Sessions are spaced several weeks apart, so the cost of a course arrives in stages rather than all at once. And if your assessment points to true venous insufficiency, you will be told that cosmetic injection is not the first step, rather than sold a series that will not hold. Your consultation is complimentary and ends with a session plan and its cost. Memberships carry member pricing on advanced treatments, and patient financing is available for longer courses.
A sclerosing solution is injected directly into the vein through a very fine needle. It irritates the lining of the vessel so the walls swell and stick together. The vein collapses, turns into scar tissue, and is gradually absorbed by the body through its own metabolic processes.
Most patients find the procedure very tolerable. The needle is extremely thin. You may feel a slight prick or a mild burning sensation for a few seconds as the solution enters the vein, and it subsides quickly.
There is no real downtime. You can drive yourself home and return to work immediately. We ask only that you avoid heavy weightlifting or high-impact running for the first few days.
Many people see a noticeable difference after one visit, but most patients need between two and four sessions to reach full clearance. Sessions are spaced several weeks apart so the body has time to absorb the collapsed veins.
Small veins typically fade within three to six weeks. Slightly larger vessels can take three to four months for the full result to show.
Common side effects include minor bruising, redness or small sores at the injection sites, which usually resolve within a few days. Some patients notice tiny brown lines or spots — old blood trapped in the vein — which typically fade over several months. Serious side effects such as blood clots, allergic reactions or skin ulceration are rare.
Daily walking is encouraged from the same day, because it keeps blood circulating. Heavy weightlifting and high-impact running should wait a few days, and hot yoga or anything that heats the legs should wait at least 48 hours.
Yes, with sun discipline. Heat causes treated vessels to dilate, so hot tubs, saunas and intense sun should be avoided for at least 48 hours, and the treated area should be kept protected from the Florida sun afterwards to prevent darkening at the injection sites.
The veins that are successfully treated and absorbed by your body are gone for good. Sclerotherapy does not prevent new spider veins from forming in future if you have a genetic predisposition or stand for long periods.
Avoid lotion or moisturizer on your legs on the day of treatment. Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Tell us about any medications or supplements you take, as some may need to be paused. Avoid sun exposure and tanning beds for a few weeks beforehand, because tanned skin makes accurate injection harder.
Sclerotherapy is charged by the session, so the real question is how many sessions your legs need. That depends on how much vein there is, whether one leg or both are treated, the size of the vessels, and whether ultrasound mapping is needed first. Sessions are weeks apart, so the cost of a course arrives in stages. Your complimentary consultation ends with a session plan and its cost.
Book a sclerotherapy assessment with Dr. Ivy Lawson and get a plan that treats the feeder, not just the branch.
Reviewed by Ivy Lawson, MD · Physician — Vascular & Interventional Radiology · Last reviewed September 2026. About Dr. Lawson
