After injection of the sclerosing agent, the compression is kept on the leg for 14 - 21 days. This is usually done by bandaging the leg - or by using tight support stockings.

The idea of this is to allow the vein that has been in contact with the sclerosing agent to become inflamed, the tissues to die and the vein to become scarred.

Patients are often told that the veins are being "stuck together". Although this is a fairly good explanation for what happens in the short term, it fails to explain what really happens from this point onwards.