When laser is not the right tool for visible leg veins.
Spider veins on the legs are a common concern and one of the most often miss-treated. Many clients are told they need laser. For most leg spider veins, laser is not the first line. Sclerotherapy is.
What it is. A solution is injected into the visible vein through a very fine needle. The solution irritates the vein wall, causing it to collapse and gradually be reabsorbed by the body over the following weeks. The vein disappears from view.
Why we choose it over laser for legs. Laser energy is absorbed by haemoglobin in the blood, but on the legs it has to pass through skin and tissue to reach veins that often sit deeper than facial vasculature. The energy required is high, the discomfort is more, and the bruising potential is greater. Sclerotherapy targets the vein directly with much less collateral effect.
A session takes 30 to 45 minutes depending on the area. Most clients describe the sensation as a brief sting at each injection point. Afterwards, compression stockings for one to two weeks support the closure. Light activity is encouraged, sitting for long periods is discouraged.
Results build across four to eight weeks. Most clients need two to three sessions, four weeks apart, to clear a given area. Larger or denser networks may need more.
Who is not a good candidate. Active deep vein thrombosis, certain clotting disorders, pregnancy, severe heart conditions. We screen carefully and request relevant test results when needed. Larger varicose veins, not the small spider veins, often need surgical or radiofrequency vein closure first, then sclerotherapy addresses the remaining cosmetic veins.
A consultation includes mapping the affected areas, photographing them, and discussing realistic outcomes. We do not promise a single result, we plan a course with measurable checkpoints. Clients who follow the compression protocol and avoid heavy heat exposure post-procedure get the best results.