Thread & spider veins · Leicester
Thread vein treatment
in Leicester
Microsclerotherapy for thread and spider veins on the legs, with Mr Amro Elboushi, Consultant Vascular Surgeon, at Premier Veins Leicester.
📍 Premier Veins Leicester · 36 De Montfort Street, Leicester LE1 7GS · Free parking · No GP referral needed
Mr Amro Elboushi FRCS (Vasc)
NHS Consultant Vascular Surgeon
GMC 7455049
Consults in English & Arabic
The condition
What are thread veins?
Thread veins, also called spider veins or telangiectasias, are fine red, blue or purple veins just under the skin, usually less than 2 mm across. They often branch in a web-like pattern on the thighs, calves and ankles. Slightly larger blue-green veins, called reticular veins, often feed them.
Thread veins rarely cause medical problems, but many people find them a real source of self-consciousness. Because treatment is cosmetic, it is not usually available on the NHS.
Before treatment
Why a scan comes first
Some thread veins are fed by a hidden leaking vein deeper in the leg. If that is not found and treated first, thread veins tend to come back. Where there are signs of this, such as aching legs, ankle swelling or larger varicose veins, a duplex ultrasound scan checks the veins underneath before thread vein treatment begins. It is what separates a good, lasting result from a disappointing one.
The treatment
Microsclerotherapy
Microsclerotherapy is the most effective treatment for thread veins on the legs.
- Assessment. Your veins are examined, and scanned where needed, and the plan and number of sessions are agreed.
- Injections. A very fine needle is used to inject a small amount of sclerosant solution into each thread vein, using magnification and bright light for precision. The injections are largely painless.
- Compression. Compression stockings are worn afterwards to support the treated veins and reduce staining. You will be told how long to wear them.
- Fading. The treated veins collapse and fade over the following weeks. Most people need two to three sessions a few weeks apart.
30 to 45 minutesTypical session length.
2 to 3 sessionsSpaced several weeks apart for the best result.
Straight backMost people return to normal activities the same day.
Up to 80%Improvement in appearance reported after a course of treatment.
What to expect
Side effects and results
- Bruising and small red marks at the injection sites, which settle
- Temporary brown staining along treated veins, which usually fades over months
- Matting: a blush of very fine new red veins, which usually settles or responds to further treatment
- Rarely, a small skin ulcer at an injection site, or an allergic reaction
Successfully treated thread veins usually do not return, but new ones can appear over time because the tendency is often inherited. Top-up sessions are common.
This page covers thread veins on the legs. For larger bulging veins, see radiofrequency ablation in Leicester or the full varicose veins guide.
Premier Veins Leicester
The One Clinic, 36 De Montfort Street, Leicester LE1 7GS
Getting thereFree parking · 10 minutes' walk from Leicester station ·
directions
Common Questions
Your questions answered
Is thread vein treatment painful?
Microsclerotherapy uses a very fine needle and most people find it largely painless, feeling only a brief sting with some injections.
How many sessions will I need?
Most people need two to three sessions, spaced several weeks apart, for the best result.
How soon will I see results?
Treated veins fade gradually over the following weeks. The final result is best judged a few months after your last session.
Do I need a scan before thread vein treatment?
Not always. If there are signs of an underlying leaking vein, such as aching, swelling or larger varicose veins, a duplex ultrasound scan comes first so that any feeding vein is treated and the thread veins are less likely to return.
Will my thread veins come back?
Treated veins usually stay gone, but new thread veins can develop over time. Occasional top-up sessions are common.
Is thread vein treatment available on the NHS?
Almost never. Thread veins fall below the NICE CG168 referral threshold, so treatment is usually private.
Can I have treatment during pregnancy?
Treatment is usually postponed until after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Thread veins that appear during pregnancy often improve afterwards.
Do you treat facial thread veins in Leicester?
The Leicester clinic treats thread veins on the legs. Please ask when booking about facial vein treatment.
Book a consultation in Leicester
Your first appointment includes a consultation with Mr Elboushi and a duplex ultrasound scan, so you leave knowing exactly what is causing your symptoms and which treatment suits you. No GP referral is needed.
Author and reviewer: Mr Amro Elboushi, Consultant Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon, FRCS (Vascular Surgery), GMC 7455049. Last reviewed: September 2026. Next review due: September 2027. This page is general information and does not replace a personal consultation.