Concierge vein care · London
Private sclerotherapy for varicose veins in London, office-based, effective for smaller veins.
Office-based foam or spider-vein injections — with an ultrasound-guided pathway when needed and a proper vascular assessment first if reflux is suspected.
Why patients choose us
- 01
Consultant or accredited phlebologist
Injections done by a consultant vascular surgeon or a College of Phlebology-accredited practitioner — not an aesthetic nurse.
- 02
Duplex ultrasound on the pathway
If underlying reflux is suspected, you get a duplex first. Sclerotherapy is not used to paper over a failing vein.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What private sclerotherapy costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A course of three spider-vein sessions in our network: £1,000-£2,000, six weeks apart.
| Treatment | Indicative range | Typical duration | Results turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spider vein sclerotherapy | £200–£450 | 30 min | Same visit |
| Foam sclerotherapy (small varicose) | £450–£900 | 30–45 min | Same visit |
| Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy | £700–£1,400 | 45–60 min | Same visit |
| Course of 3 sessions | £1,000–£2,000 | 3 visits | Same visit each |
| Sclerotherapy + duplex ultrasound | £500–£1,000 | 60 min | Same visit |
| Post-laser touch-up sclerotherapy | £250–£500 | 30 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic, by whether ultrasound guidance is needed, and by how many sessions the plan requires. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
Injecting a vein without a duplex is guesswork.
If the great or small saphenous vein is refluxing, sclerotherapy alone recurs. A duplex up front tells us whether you need injections, EVLA, or both — in what order.
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Cosmetic threads?
Sclerotherapy is the workhorse — plan for two or three sessions six weeks apart, not a single miracle visit.
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Aching, bulging veins?
A duplex first is not optional. If the truncal vein is refluxing, EVLA or RFA is the primary treatment.
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Recurrence after surgery?
Small recurrent veins after stripping or EVLA respond well to ultrasound-guided foam — we book you with a vascular consultant.
The journey
From enquiry to fading veins — what happens, in order.
One clinician from first message to the six-week review — including the wait while veins fade.
Phase 1 · Before your treatment
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
~1 hour at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You tell us what is going on
A short, confidential form. Send a photo of the leg if you can, plus what bothers you — cosmetic threads, aching, or a varicose vein that has come back.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: vascular surgeon or phlebologist, which clinic, indicative price. If a duplex is needed first, we say so.
- 03
Before
We arrange the appointment
Usually within a week. Duplex ultrasound if indicated, then a decision on liquid or foam, single session or a course.
- 04
On the day
Arrival at the clinic
Consent, a fresh clinical mapping, and photographs. You lie flat; the leg is cleaned. No general anaesthetic, no cannula.
- 05
On the day
The injection itself
30-60 minutes depending on how many veins are treated. Fine needles inject a sclerosant into each vein; larger veins are treated as foam under ultrasound.
- 06
On the day
Compression and walking home
A class-2 compression stocking is fitted. You walk for 20-30 minutes, then home the same visit. Most people are back to normal the next day.
- 07
After
Response and next steps
Bruising and darkening are expected and fade over weeks to months. Response is reviewed at 6-8 weeks; a second session is common — we plan it in advance.
Typical end-to-end: 6-12 weeks per course. Response reviewed at 6-8 weeks.
When it is the right step
When sclerotherapy is the right treatment.
Not every leg vein needs an injection. These are the situations where sclerotherapy — done properly, with duplex where indicated — is the right call.
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Spider (telangiectasia) veins
Fine red or purple threads on the thigh, calf or ankle. The classic indication for liquid sclerotherapy.
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Small varicose veins
Bulging veins below the knee that are not the main truncal vein — well suited to foam sclerotherapy.
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Reticular veins
The blue-green feeder veins that supply spider clusters. Treating these reduces recurrence.
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Post-laser residual veins
Threads left after EVLA or laser vein treatment — tidied up with a short touch-up session.
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Recurrent varicose after prior treatment
Small recurrences after previous stripping, EVLA or RFA — ideal for ultrasound-guided foam.
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Chronic venous insufficiency with skin changes
Brown pigmentation or eczema over the ankle — a duplex-led plan, sometimes combined with EVLA.
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Aching, tired legs
Heavy, aching legs at the end of the day when varicose veins are the cause on examination and duplex.
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Red flag: leg ulcer, sudden calf swelling
This is a vascular assessment first, not a cosmetic booking. Ulceration or acute swelling needs urgent review to exclude DVT.
Treatment types
Not all sclerotherapy is the same.
What each option on your quote is actually for.
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Spider vein sclerotherapy
Fine-needle liquid sclerosant injections into telangiectasia. Cosmetic, quick, several sessions often needed.
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Foam sclerotherapy
Sclerosant mixed with air or CO2 to a foam — displaces blood and treats larger veins per volume than liquid.
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Ultrasound-guided foam
Foam injected under duplex guidance for veins that are not visible from the surface — reticular feeders, recurrences.
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3-session course
Spider veins usually take two to three sessions six weeks apart. A course is priced accordingly and reviews response formally.
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Sclero + duplex
Combined session: duplex ultrasound first to map reflux and rule out truncal disease, then treatment on the same visit if appropriate.
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Post-laser touch-up
Small threads and matting after EVLA or vein laser cleared with a short sclerotherapy visit.
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Combined with EVLA
If duplex shows truncal reflux, EVLA or RFA is done first and sclerotherapy tidies up the tributaries.
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Facial/hand telangiectasia (specialist)
For threads on the face, chest or hands — a small number of specialist phlebologists offer this; laser is usually preferred.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of clinics, we picked them.
Partners across central, north, west and south London. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every clinic in our network.
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Consultant vascular surgeons or College of Phlebology-accredited practitioners
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Duplex ultrasound available on the same visit
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Class-2 compression stocking supplied and fitted
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Onward EVLA / RFA pathway if underlying truncal reflux is found
Safety and aftercare
Safer than most people expect — with a few real rules.
Sclerotherapy is a low-risk, office-based treatment. The things worth knowing are what will bruise, what needs compression, and when the answer is a duplex first.
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Compression stockings for 1-2 weeks
A class-2 stocking is worn day and night at first, then in the daytime — it reduces bruising and improves results.
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Bruising and pigmentation
Bruising and a brown line along the vein are common and short-term — fading over weeks to months in most people.
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Rare skin ulceration
An ulcer at the injection site is uncommon but possible, particularly on the ankle. It heals with dressings.
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Rare DVT
Deep vein thrombosis is a rare complication, more likely after large-volume foam. Walking after the session reduces the risk.
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Not for people with proven reflux
If duplex shows truncal reflux, the great or small saphenous vein needs EVLA or RFA first — sclerotherapy alone will recur.
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Pregnancy defers treatment
Sclerotherapy is not used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Varicose veins from pregnancy often improve after delivery.
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Avoid flying for 2 weeks
After a larger foam session, avoid long-haul flights for two weeks — a short-haul flight after one week is usually fine.
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Anticoagulation usually continues
Blood-thinning medication does not normally need stopping for sclerotherapy — confirm with the treating doctor.
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Share any prior duplex
A previous duplex scan or vein operation letter changes the plan — please send it before the appointment.
Reading your report
A sclerotherapy report can look intimidating. It isn’t.
Whatever was treated, the report keeps to the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
Vein reports are precise and can read technically — we translate them for you.
If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication and duplex findings
Which leg was treated, your details, and the reflux picture from any recent duplex ultrasound.
- 02 Technique
Agent, concentration and volume
Which sclerosant was used, at what concentration, whether liquid or foam, and the total volume across the session.
- 03 Findings
Each vein treated
A list of the individual veins injected, with a diagram or photograph annotated at the injection sites.
- 04 Impression
The conclusion: read this first
Expected response, whether a second session is likely, and — if truncal reflux is present — an EVLA or RFA plan.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Most policies cover sclerotherapy when clinically indicated for symptomatic varicose veins; cosmetic-only treatment is usually self-pay. We confirm cover before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about sclerotherapy.
Quick answers on pain, bruising, cost, referral, and how long results take.
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Sclerotherapy or laser — which is better for my veins?
Sclerotherapy is generally better for larger networks of spider veins on the leg and for small varicose veins; laser is better for isolated red threads on the face and for veins too small to inject. A consultation and, if needed, a duplex ultrasound decides which is right for you.
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Does the injection hurt?
The needles are very fine and most people describe a mild stinging or cramping sensation as the sclerosant enters the vein. There is no general anaesthetic and no cannula — you walk out immediately after.
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How long do bruising and pigmentation last?
Bruising usually fades over two to four weeks. A brown line along the treated vein can last two to six months, occasionally longer, and is more common in darker skin types. It fades — but slowly.
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Do I really have to wear the compression stocking?
Yes. Class-2 compression day and night for the first few days and in the daytime for one to two weeks materially improves the result and reduces bruising. Skipping it is a common reason for a poor outcome.
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Can I drive myself home afterwards?
Yes. Sclerotherapy is a local, office-based procedure with no sedation — you can drive home and return to normal activities the same day. A gentle walk is encouraged; heavy exercise waits two weeks.
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How much does private sclerotherapy cost in London?
A spider-vein session is typically £200-£450, foam sclerotherapy £450-£900, and ultrasound-guided foam £700-£1,400. Most people need two to three sessions six weeks apart — a course is usually priced at £1,000-£2,000.
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Do I need a GP referral?
No — you can self-refer for private sclerotherapy. If your GP has already arranged a duplex ultrasound, please send it: it changes the plan and can save you paying for another.
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Can I have sclerotherapy during pregnancy?
No. Sclerotherapy is not used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Varicose veins that develop during pregnancy frequently improve in the months after delivery, so a proper assessment is usually offered three to six months post-partum.
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How likely are my veins to come back?
Recurrence is common because varicose disease is progressive. Treating reticular feeder veins and dealing with any underlying reflux with EVLA or RFA first reduces recurrence, but it does not abolish it — expect touch-up sessions every few years.
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When should I see a GP urgently instead?
A leg ulcer, sudden calf swelling and pain, or a hot, tender vein with fever needs same-day medical review — contact your GP or NHS 111 to exclude deep vein thrombosis or infection. Sclerotherapy is not the right first step here.
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