Will Varicose Vein Treatment Leave Scars?

Why do people worry about scars?

For decades the standard operation for varicose veins was vein stripping . A surgeon made an incision in the groin and further cuts down the leg, then pulled the vein out. Many people still picture this operation, along with the scars it left. Modern treatment works very differently.

Does EVLT leave a scar?

Endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) closes the leaking vein from the inside. Under ultrasound, the doctor places a needle into the vein, passes a laser fiber about as thin as a hair through it, and seals the vein with laser energy. The vein is left in place and slowly absorbed by the body.

Because there is no incision, there is no stitched wound to heal and no surgical scar. What you may see instead:

• A tiny puncture mark where the needle entered, similar to a blood test.
• Bruising along the treated vein, which fades over a couple of weeks.
• A pulling or tight feeling along the vein for 1–2 weeks as it seals.

At LEDAS, EVLT uses a 1940nm diode laser. This wavelength is strongly absorbed by water in the vein wall, which helps limit heat spread to surrounding tissue. Learn more about the 1940nm laser .

Does sclerotherapy leave marks?

Sclerotherapy uses a very fine needle to inject medicine into the vein. It does not cut the skin. However, a few temporary changes are common:

Darkening and firmness

Treated veins may look darker and feel hard for a while. This is the closed vein being broken down and absorbed, and it is part of normal healing.

Hyperpigmentation

Some people develop a brownish line or spots along a treated vein. This comes from iron in old blood staining the skin. It usually lightens gradually over months. It is more noticeable in some skin types and when larger surface veins are treated.

Matting

Occasionally, a fine blush of new tiny vessels appears near a treated area. This often settles over time and can be treated if it persists.

What about phlebectomy?

Ambulatory phlebectomy removes bulging veins through small nicks in the skin. It is widely used and the cuts are small, but they are still incisions. LEDAS does not use phlebectomy; bulging branches are instead closed with ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy. See why LEDAS moved away from stripping .

How can you help marks fade faster?

1. Wear compression stockings as instructed. Pressure helps treated veins close and reduces trapped blood, which lowers staining. See our stocking guide .
2. Walk every day , lightly, for the first 2–4 weeks.
3. Protect from strong sun on treated areas while discoloration is fading.
4. Avoid saunas and very hot baths in the early weeks.
5. Keep follow-up visits so the doctor can check how veins are absorbing. Read the recovery timeline .

Do untreated varicose veins cause skin damage?

Yes, and this is worth weighing too. Long-standing venous disease can cause darkened, hardened skin around the ankles and, in advanced stages, venous ulcers. These changes can be harder to reverse than the temporary marks of treatment. See skin darkening and lipodermatosclerosis .

Scarring by treatment type

Scars after vein treatment – frequently asked questions