What are Common Spider Vein Treatment Side Effects?

Side effects of the procedure are rare. However they may include but are not limited to the following:


Itching: usually mild and lasting 2-3 days

Hyperpigmentation: brown discoloration which may be permanent in 1% of patients after one year.

Matting: an area of very fine veins that appear similar to a bruise

Pain: usually minimal discomfort is experienced

Ulcers: Rarely an ulcer or open sore may develop at the injection site, which will resolve in 4-6 weeks with local treatment but will leave a faint scar.

Allergic Reaction: 0.3% risk of reaction to injectant and usually occurs within 30 minutes.

DVT/ Pulmonary Embolism: A blood clot in the deep vein of the leg or a blood clot in the lung is a very rare occurrence.

Sclerotherapy is a very safe and effective procedure when performed by a board certified dermatologist who has a specialized knowledge in vein treatments. As a pioneer of sclerotherapy it is common for patients to experience mild redness, temporary iching and slight bruising after undergoing a sclerotherapy treatment. The most common adverse effect is the development of brown-tan staining that can last a few months after treatment. However, following the post-operative guidelines outlined by your doctor will greatly reduce any adverse effect or complicationand allow you to heal as quickly as possible.

Sclerotherapy is a safe treatment if done by an experienced surgeon.  The American Board of Phlebology is the governing board for vein specialists.  There are many risks with any procedure.  However, the most common with sclerotherapy are pigmentation, recurrence of the spider vein, and tissue extravasation.  By far, recurrence of development of more spider veins is the most common outcome.