This article was medically authored by Dr. Sachin Sheth and last reviewed for accuracy on 07/15/2026.

You have options when you want to treat varicose veins: you do not need to undergo surgery! The best nonsurgical treatment for varicose veins provides effective relief with minimal down time and a lower risk for side effects or complications. In this post, we highlight several non-surgical procedures that can resolve varicose veins.

Key Takeaways

• Radiofrequency ablation and sclerotherapy are performed separately or in combination to resolve varicose veins without major incisions or general anesthesia
• New research finds that non-surgical treatment for varicose veins is as effective as surgery

Choosing Non-Surgical Treatment for Varicose Veins

Once, it was common to undergo surgery for varicose veins. While this treatment option was effective, it was invasive and came with long recovery periods and a risk for complications. Now, thanks to the CLASS (Comparison of Laser, Surgery and Foam Sclerotherapy) study, we know there two non-surgical treatment options—sclerotherapy and ablation—that deliver equal or superior results to surgery (and with a lower risk for complications!) Even better news? Both procedures are available at three Georgia Endovascular locations in the greater Atlanta region. Let’s take a closer look at procedure, to understand which may be your best non-surgical treatment for varicose veins.

Sclerotherapy

Our interventional radiologists can provide both cosmetic and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy. The latter uses ultrasound guidance to access varicose veins that are located beneath your skin. Once accessed, doctors inject a foam solution that acts as a sclerosing agent, causing a collapse in the abnormal vessel or vessels. That collapse allows blood to redirect into healthier veins. Most often, we perform this procedure on patients who have residual varicose veins after radiofrequency ablation.

In contrast, cosmetic sclerotherapy treats spider veins that are located near your skin’s surface. During this procedure, doctors inject a solution into your problematic spider veins; this causes their collapse, shrinking and eventual disappearance. However, you may need several cosmetic sclerotherapy sessions to achieve your desired results. And cosmetic sclerotherapy would not be considered a treatment option for varicose veins.

Radiofrequency Ablation

Radiofrequency vein ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure involving the insertion of a catheter into saphenous veins (peripheral/superficial veins located in the lower extremities) and perforating veins (these connect your deep and superficial vein systems). Once in place, the catheter gets a supply of heat energy, causing permanent closure in the problematic veins. Afterward, the treated vessel will dissolve naturally, over time. Again, this dissolution allows blood flow to be redirected to healthy veins in the lower extremities. RFA is an in-office procedure that only requires local anesthetic. As such, it's a non-surgical treatment for varicose veins that doesn't require down-time. Even better, it causes almost no discomfort during or after the procedure, although you will have to follow post-procedural care instructions, including avoiding sun exposure and wearing compression stockings as instructed by your provider.

Choosing the Best Non-Surgical Treatment for Varicose Veins

Cosmetic sclerotherapy is a great option if you have surface-level spider veins. But, as the CLASS study confirmed, combining RFA and foam sclerotherapy provides better results for people who need to address a broader scope of venous concerns.

Of course, our Georgia interventional radiologists also provide other non-surgical varicose vein treatments, including Ambulatory Phlebectomy. We'll determine your best option after providing a complete, in-office consultation, most likely including an ultrasound vein evaluation. And, while we can’t predict which treatment option will best suit your specific state of health, we can tell you this: you don’t need to have surgery in order to treat varicose veins?

Ready to find non-surgical relief? We’re want to help! Just contact us at one of our three Georgia Endovascular locations, to request a consultation.