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Varicose Veins

Foam Sclerotherapy Treatment

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Foam Sclerotherapy is an ideal procedure to treat mild varicose veins and those that are a recurrent problem. Remove unsightly blue veins quickly and easily with this minimally-invasive procedure that takes less than 30 minutes to complete under a local anaesthetic. By using an injection of specialised medical foam, it quickly seals off and dispels your affected varicose veins with minimal pain and recovery time. Here, we explore everything you need to know about the procedure, from the consultation to aftercare and results.

What is Foam Sclerotherapy?

Foam Sclerotherapy is a leading treatment to remove smaller varicose veins, particularly in the legs, where varicose veins frequently occur. The UK’s National Institute of Healthcare and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended this foam treatment for varicose veins as a gold-standard option if patients are unable to remove their veins with popular procedures like EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation).

Thanks to its injectable format, there is little recovery time, and you can resume your normal activities straight after having it.

What veins can Foam Sclerotherapy treat?

Vein foam sclerotherapy is a perfect treatment for patients who want to target thread veins and smaller varicose veins. Thread veins (or spider veins) are thin, shallow veins that tend to sit just below the skin’s surface. They can easily be treated with foam injection sclerotherapy using a series of microinjections that are usually pain-free.

As with all varicose veins, they form when small valves inside them stop working properly. This causes irregular blood flows, and blood starts to build in the veins, causing them to bulge and swell. But by injecting foam into these veins, we can cause them to quickly collapse and dissolve. After just a few sessions, spaced a few weeks apart, the body should naturally dispel the veins for good.

This procedure is also commonly used as a secondary treatment for recurring veins or as a follow-up to target residual veins left over after an EVLA procedure.

Benefits of Foam Sclerotherapy

As foam sclerotherapy is a quick and minimally-invasive procedure, it has several key benefits when compared to other vein treatments:

  • Walk-in, walk-out procedure
  • Carried out as a day-case operation in outpatients
  • Uses local rather than a general anaesthetic
  • Less injections required than laser and radiofrequency procedures
  • Less inflammation and discomfort
  • Fast healing and treatment
  • Patients can return to normal activities the very same day
  • Effective results after 4-6 weeks of recovery


The Consultation

The first step to a foam sclerotherapy treatment is a consultation with one of our consultant vascular surgeons. During this appointment, we will assess the state of your varicose veins using our advanced duplex ultrasound scan. This gives our surgeons a live visual analysis of the inner structure of your veins. They can detect how blood is flowing and where the foam needs to be injected in order to collapse your faulty veins. If you have larger veins that need treatment, then our surgeons will sometimes use the ultrasound scanner to direct their injections.

This is called “ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy” and enables the affected vein to be visualised clearly so that the foam is accurately injected. When treating small veins close to the skin’s surface, ultrasound guidance is often not needed. Either way, the duplex ultrasound scan will guide your surgeon to treat your veins in the most appropriate way. A detailed explanation of your treatment option will also be given at this stage. This enables you to fully understand the procedure and its expected results.

treating varicose veins with foam sclerotherapy

The Foam Sclerotherapy Procedure

Once your veins have been analysed at consultation, your vascular surgeon will be fully equipped with the knowledge they need to treat you. A local anaesthetic will be carefully applied to the affected area to ensure that your treatment is as pain-free and comfortable as possible.

After this happens, your surgeon will mix a special chemical with air to produce the medical foam needed to carry out the procedure. These foams are known as sclerosants and have been used for many years to break down the cells that line a damaged vein’s walls. They immediately coat vein walls with a sticky substance, which pushes out blood from the channel while inflaming the vein walls. Over time, this causes the vein channel to close up completely before the vein itself shrivels away and dies.

Once this has happened, your blood flow will naturally reroute itself through healthier veins to improve your overall circulation. Your body will then remove the dead vein naturally as soon as it has shrunk and dissolved.

As a fast procedure, it typically takes less than 30 minutes to complete. After the procedure has taken place, we will schedule a review appointment with you to check progress and see if any further treatments are necessary. On occasion, we may need to treat the vein more than once with foam sclerotherapy to achieve optimum results.

How long does Foam Sclerotherapy take to work?

The foam starts to break veins down immediately. But it takes a while before the vein completely shrinks. Most patients experience definitive results from 3-6 weeks after treatment. But larger veins may take up to 3-4 months to fully disappear.

What to expect after Foam Sclerotherapy?

When it comes to foam sclerotherapy results, independent studies have revealed that the procedure has a success rate of between 60 to 80%. Results vary from patient to patient, but in cases where the first treatment does not completely eradicate the affected vein, we can apply follow-ups to maximise final results. As a multi-award-winning clinic with a 5-star Trustpilot rating, the vast majority of our patients leave with exceptional results. See a sample of our work in the foam sclerotherapy before and after photo below:

foam sclerotherapy before and after photo uk

Foam Sclerotherapy Aftercare

In-Clinic Aftercare

After the procedure, we will apply a pressure bandage to compress the vein walls and minimise blood leakage. After the injections take place, this must be worn for 12-24 hours. You should avoid showering and bathing at this time.

At-Home Aftercare

You must wear compression stockings for 3-4 weeks to encourage optimal healing and recovery. You may feel a bit sore around the treatment area for a few days after. However, this pain usually fades after just a few days.

Patients should try to remain mobile in the recovery phase by undergoing gentle activities like walks. This helps to promote good circulation. However, please avoid anything strenuous like gym exercise, prolonged standing, kneeling and bending for 4-6 weeks. You should also elevate your leg when sitting for any length of time. By following these simple steps, your varicose veins will break down and dissolve without any side effects, leaving you free to enjoy a newly improved you.

To find out more about our Foam Sclerotherapy treatment, or any of our varicose vein procedures, fill out our varicose vein online contact form. Alternatively, call us directly on 0333 920 2471. We have clinic locations in London Harley Street, Birmingham, Buckinghamshire, Leeds, Manchester and Northampton.

Ultrasound for Varicose Veins

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One in three adults in the UK will suffer from varicose veins in their lifetime. But thanks to a range of modern medical advances, there’s a multitude of minimally invasive methods to remove them.

The first step in deciding a suitable treatment is for patients to undergo an ultrasound process. Ultrasound gives clinicians the revolutionary ability to diagnose vein abnormalities in detail.

Duplex Ultrasound for Varicose Veins

The ultrasound procedure for varicose veins is different from those used to diagnose gallstones or analyse pregnancies for example. Varicose veins require a special ultrasound treatment called Duplex, which gives vascular surgeons a comprehensive overview of how blood is flowing throughout the affected varicose veins.

How the Duplex Ultrasound Scan works

The venous duplex scan for varicose veins produces on-screen images that show how blood is flowing within your veins and arteries. It does this using a portable deep vein scanning system that looks like a laptop. This ground-breaking machine supplies everything a surgeon needs to thoroughly assess your veins through a 3-stage process:

  1. Greyscale Ultrasound

The scan firstly builds up a 2-D greyscale picture that showcases the real-time structure of our veins. This looks like the typical scan you would see when undergoing a pregnancy ultrasound for example. The venous duplex device then superimposes colours and sound waves over this image to reveal exactly how blood is flowing through the veins.

  1. Doppler Ultrasound

The device’s ‘Doppler wave’ technology helps the surgeon to identify blood flow problems through sound waves. ‘Doppler ultrasound’ waves emit a sweeping sound that alerts the clinician to exactly where blood is flowing abnormally.

  1. Colour-flow Duplex scanning

The device’s processor then overlays a series of colours to visually display exactly where blood flow issues are occurring. When areas flash up as blue on the screen, blood is flowing as expected. But when areas show up in red, it demonstrates the presence of blood flow abnormalities.

Together, these combined signals provide a super detailed picture of blood flow blockages, faulty valves and incorrect blood flow – also known as “reflux.” By being able to identify the exact nature of these issues, the surgeon can recommend ideal treatments to treat the symptoms and causes of bulging varicose veins.

The Venous Duplex Scan Procedure

At The Private Clinic, your consultant vascular surgeon will perform the scan, so they get a first-hand view of the issues. It’s a pain-free and non-invasive process that usually lasts between 30 to 45 minutes. During this time, the consultant will apply a water-based gel on the affected area before scanning it with a probe.

The consultant will then assess blood flow by gently squeeze your muscles at various intervals to make blood flow into the veins. At this stage, the consultant will be able to see where the blood is failing to flow normally.

Upon release, the consultant can also see whether any blood falls back down the leg due to valves not closing properly. This venous “reflux” process accounts for the vast majority of varicose vein cases.

What happens after the scan?

Once the scan is complete, the varicose vein surgeon will have an accurate picture of abnormal valves and blood flow blockages. This allows the surgeon to accurately plan the varicose vein treatment using the detailed information obtained from the scan.

Your consultant will then advise on the optimal varicose vein treatment method to use in light of the scan’s results.

The benefits of Venous Duplex Ultrasound Scanning

Duplex ultrasound scanning is widely regarded as a “gold-standard” procedure as it gives surgeons the best available insight into the problems at hand. The duplex venous ultrasound scan can also be used across many parts of the body; from the lower limbs and lower extremities like the pelvis as well as the upper body and arms.

Venous Duplex Scan Cost

At The Private Clinic, a consultation with one of our Consultant Vascular Surgeons costs £150, with a free duplex ultrasound scan included. This scan is usually priced at £350 to £450 in other practices, meaning that you benefit from a competitive price by choosing our services.

You will also benefit from our unrivalled reputation as one of the UK’s leading varicose vein clinics. With over 35 years’ experience conducting over 7,000 vein treatments, you will be in the very best hands.

To find out more about our venous duplex scan, or to arrange a varicose vein consultation with us,  please call 0333 920 2471 or use our Varicose Vein online contact form. Our treatments are available nationwide across our clinic locations in London Harley Street, Birmingham, Buckinghamshire, Leeds, Manchester and Northampton.

The Menopause & Varicose Veins: What you need to know

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For many women, varicose veins can prove to be a particularly troublesome issue during the menopause. This is because changes to a woman’s hormone levels during the menopause can increase the likelihood of varicose veins occurring. It is important to understand the delicate interplay between key hormones during this phase of a woman’s life to better understand the issue.

Oestrogen and progesterone are the two main hormones influence vein health.

How do oestrogen and progesterone affect vein health?

These hormones have a beneficial impact on the vein wall support and the function of the cardiovascular system. Blood vessel walls contain receptor sites for these hormones, which allow the hormones to efficiently force blood flow around the body via veins, arteries and capillaries. However, when the levels of these hormones drop due to the menopause, blood vessel walls can lose their strength and flexibility, resulting in blood pooling or collecting in the areas of weakness and causing varicose veins.

Healthy Veins vs Varicose Veins

How to minimise the risk of varicose veins in the Menopause?

Once a varicose vein has formed, it is unlikely to disappear on its own, unless you opt to have the veins treated. There are several steps that women can take to minimise the risk of developing varicose veins during the menopause. Choosing a healthy, balanced diet, and adopting several lifestyle changes can help to reduce the risk of the problem occurring.

The top 5 areas that can help reduce varicose veins during Menopause

  • Vitamin C Intake: Vitamin C, like oestrogen, acts as a vital aid in giving strength and flexibility to blood vessel walls. The vitamin works to maintain and replenish collagen levels, a key structural protein found in skin and artery walls. Eating plenty of green leafy vegetables along with citrus fruits and berries is a great way to boost these levels naturally.
  • Healthy Fats: Choosing to consume healthier fat sources is also vital when it comes to maintaining optimal cardiovascular health. Saturated fats and triglycerides increase the risk of artery walls clogging, so swap red meats, dairy products and processed food options for the healthier omega-3 fats found in oily fish, nuts, avocados and seeds.
  • Weight management: Being overweight puts the cardiovascular system under extra pressure, so by adopting a sustainable weight loss plan, you can reduce your risk of developing varicose veins during the menopause, while also benefitting your overall general health. Achieving a healthy BMI should be your number one goal in this respect.
  • Frequent exercise: If you sit or stand for long periods, the blood pooling effect can intensify, so make sure to take exercise breaks as often as you can to get your body moving.
  • Improving leg strength: The legs are where most varicose veins occur, so keep these parts of your body as fit as you can to avoid developing problems in these vulnerable areas. Cycling, walking, running or even a dance class is a great way to keep this part of the body toned and active. Or seek out physiotherapy if you have mobility problems. Experts can then advise you on a low-impact exercise program that works for your specific needs.

Treating Menopause-related varicose veins

When taken together, these holistic methods can boost your chances of avoiding varicose veins when the menopause hits. But if you do develop them, or if you currently experience the condition, then a variety of varicose vein treatments are available to remove them. The Private Clinic offers several effective clinical treatments that generate impressive long-lasting results.

Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA)

The Private Clinic’s Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) treatment is one of the most popular varicose vein removal treatments.

How does EVLA work?

The treatment involves inserting a small laser optical fibre into the problematic vein. Laser light is then emitted which works to heat up and collapse the unhealthy vein. Dr Costas Kyriakides, a consultant vascular surgeon at The Private Clinic explains why this treatment is particularly popular:

“The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) recommended endothermal ablation as a first-line treatment for varicose veins, and it’s now considered the gold standard treatment. It’s around 98 percent effective, and minimally invasive, while the risk of bleeding and infection is rare. The 1-2mm incision does not need stitching and leaves only a tiny scar, meaning that patients can be back at work the next day.” – Dr Costas Kyriakides

varicose vein leg treatment Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) before after photo

VenaSeal

Another popular treatment is VenaSeal. This is highly recommended for patients who suffer from a needle phobia as it only requires one injection per vein.

How does Venaseal work?

The treatment involves inserting a small catheter into the vein before the VenaSeal tool dispenses small amounts of medical-grade Sapheon Glue that works to close the vein. In this respect, the treatment acts as a sort of superglue to patch up the problem of blood vessels that have weakened. Mr Tahir Hussain, a consultant vascular surgeon at The Private Clinic carries out both EVLA and VenaSeal treatments and has had the VenaSeal treatment himself. He explains:

“This treatment has been around for some time now and is akin to putting superglue into the varicose veins to seal them off. The dead vein and hardened glue are then broken down and absorbed into the body. Published clinical studies have shown it to have an initial success rate of between 94 to 98 percent six months after treatment.”

“I’ve carried out this procedure in hundreds of patients, and I even had it done myself in my lunch break, after developing varicose vein symptoms at the age of 52. I had some clearly visible veins on my body, but after the quick treatment, they just shrank away and after a few months, the residual pain had completely gone.” – Mr Tahir Hussain

For patients whose veins are not suitable for EVLA or VenaSeal, other options include sclerotherapy and phlebectomy and these treatments are often treated in combination with those mentioned above. Talking to one of The Private Clinic’s experienced vascular surgeons is the best option to find a suitable treatment for menopause-related varicose veins. They will be able to go through the procedures in detail and create a personalised treatment plan that suits your own needs.

Menopause Varicose Vein Treatments at The Private Clinic

We possess over 35 years of experience providing the best and latest vein removal treatments and have treated over 7,000 patients concerned about their veins. We work with highly qualified consultant vascular surgeons who have extensive experience in treating varicose veins for women going through the menopause. View our varicose vein before and after photo results, or download our varicose vein treatment brochure. You can contact us to book a free varicose vein phone or video consultation today by calling us on 0333 920 2471 or using our varicose vein online contact form.

In-person consultations are also available at our vein clinics located across the UK:

What to expect at your varicose vein consultation post Covid-19?

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Lock down has meant that our clinics have been closed for a few months now. As we look to open our clinics again, we have had to make some changes to our usual processes to ensure the safety of our patients and staff.

Whether you had a consultation that was postponed or are looking to book as a new patient, you may be wondering what to expect from your varicose vein consultation now that the lock down is gradually being lifted.

Top tips for your first Varicose Vein Consultation

Your first varicose vein consultation is likely to take place with one of our experienced patient coordinators over the phone. Prior to the consultation, you will have been asked to fill out a patient registration and medical history form. This consultation is ideal for:

  • Asking any questions regarding your registration or medical history form
  • Providing the patient coordinator with photos of your areas of concern
  • Finding out what we offer for varicose vein removal
  • Learning more about our expert vascular surgeons and their credentials
  • Going through what your treatment journey will involve
  • Discussing our new clinic visiting protocols
  • Noting down any clinical queries you might have for your vascular surgeon

What happens in a consultation with a specialised vascular surgeon?

Once the first consultation has taken place, the second consultation can then be booked. This may take place over the phone, by video consultation or in person at one of our clinics.

Varicose Vein removal treatment consultation post Covid-19

  • You may be asked to send photographs of your areas of concern to your patient coordinator who will have passed these onto your vascular surgeon along with your information, medical history, and any clinical queries.
  • Your Vascular surgeonwill discuss in a video consultation your areas of concern.
  • They will explain, in detail, the range of treatment options we have available. These include EVLA, VenaSeal, Foam Sclerotherapy and Phlebectomy.

You can find out how to get the best out of your video consultation in our blog here.

In Clinic Veins Consultation

If your vascular surgeon feels you are a good candidate for surgery, then you will be invited to consider progressing to treatment.

You will then be invited into one of our UK Vascular clinics to have a duplex scan of your legs.

Your Vascular surgeon will then advise on the best vein treatment that is going to be the most minimally invasive and effective solution suited for you.

You can find out more about visiting our clinics following Covid-19 here.

All patients are given a 2-week cooling off period in which to review the information that they have been given to allow them to decide in their own time if they wish to progress with treatment.

Booking a varicose vein procedure date

We will continue to take daily guidance from Public Health England and the professional bodies advising our surgeons and clinicians with regards to safe surgery and treatments.

This guidance will be used to determine which procedures will be safe to undertake with key focus on protecting our patients and staff from any unnecessary risks or compromises to their recovery.

Booking your varicose vein procedure could not be easier, all the information your need will be provided to you before to ensure that you feel comfortable about the procedure and what to expect on the day.

Your varicose vein procedure will take place in-house at one of our varicose vein clinics. Safety measures will be followed throughout to ensure the safety of everyone in the clinic.

Varicose Vein treatment at The Private Clinic

At the Private Clinic, we have over 35 years of experience providing the best and latest vein removal treatments and have treated over 7,000 patients concerned about their veins. We work with highly qualified consultant vascular surgeons who have extensive experience in their field.

  • We are able to offer some of the least invasive method for varicose veins and thread veins for your legs, body, and face.
  • No lengthy downtime or recovery required.
  • Our Consultant vascular surgeons are pioneers in EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation) and have treated thousands of patients.
  • We focus on the underlying cause of your veins and you will only see a Consultant Vascular surgeon for varicose veins.
  • The NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) Gold Standard for treatment of Varicose Veins findings shows that the success rate after five years for EVLA is 95.4%.
  • A consultation with one of our Consultant Vascular Surgeons costs £150, including a free ultrasound scan of your legs (usually priced between £350 and £450 at most clinics and private hospitals).
  • Treatment takes one hour; you can go home shortly after being treated.
  • We have been featured in several TV shows and press including Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies, TLC’s My Naked Secret and have been recently featured in Harper’s Bazaar’s Cosmetic Tweakment Trends for 2019.
  • We have been able to restore the confidence in many of our patients by avoiding health issues and achieving great results.
  • We are able to offer finance solutions with manageable payments to suit a variety of budgets.
  • View our extensive FAQs
  • See our previous patient stories
  • View varicose vein before and after photo results
  • View our varicose veins blogs for more information
  • Download our varicose vein treatment brochure

Our Expert Vascular Surgeons

Varicose Vein Consultations are available at our vein clinics located across the UK

To find out more about varicose vein treatment or to book a veins consultation with any of our vascular surgeons call us on 0333 920 2471 or use our varicose vein online contact form.

Normal veins vs varicose veins

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Veins are a type of blood vessel that transports deoxygenated blood from your organs back to your heart. They form part of your circulatory system, cardiovascular system or venous system. Veins work alongside your arteries which are another form of blood vessel which instead delivers oxygenated blood from your heart to the rest of your body.

What are Capillaries?

Capillaries are the smallest type of blood vessel that form part of the circulatory system. They work to distribute oxygenated blood from your arteries to the tissues of the body and also feed the deoxygenated blood from the tissues back into the veins.

Just like all the other parts of our body, the legs need a good blood supply in order to function properly. Pumping blood to the legs from the heart is an easy process through the use of arteries but the veins in your legs have a trickier job in transporting blood from the legs back up to the heart which is against the flow of gravity.

Does exercise help blood flow and veins?

It is actually your movements that help with this process, the act of walking or doing exercise are great ways to encourage the movement of blood as the muscles act as a pump pushing onto the veins to encourage the flow of blood up towards the pelvis.

This doesn’t mean that we need to be constantly moving in order to have good blood flow however, although it does help. The veins have one-way valves that are used to stop the blood flowing back down into the legs when the muscles are relaxed and generally encourage the flow of blood to be upwards.

These valves are located on the vein’s inner walls, they point upwards within the veins and when the blood is being pumped upwards, they are forced open. When the muscles relax, and the blood starts to fall downwards then these valves remain open to stop this from occurring.

How do veins fail?

Sometimes, the valves within our veins can fail and they become unable to prevent the blood from travelling back down the veins which is known as venous reflux which is the major cause of most venous diseases such as the formation of varicose veins.

Varicose veins vs normal healthy veins

Normal veins vs varicose veins

Varicose veins occur when the vein walls or valves have weakened and have not been able to function properly to stop the blood from flowing backwards. When the blood flows backwards it can end up sitting in the vein causing it to become swollen and enlarged which is often visible from the surface of the skin.

What factors can increase the likelihood of developing varicose veins?

There are a number of factors that can increase your likelihood of developing varicose veins, such as:

  • Age – As we age, veins can start to lose elasticity causing the valves to become less effective.
  • Genetics – You are more at risk of developing varicose veins if a close family member has the condition too.
  • Gender – Research suggests that women are more likely to be affected by varicose veins than men.
  • Weight – Being overweight can put increased pressure on the valves, making them more prone to leaking.
  • Occupation – Research suggests jobs that require long periods of standing may increase your risk of getting varicose veins.
  • Pregnancy – Being pregnancy can increase your risk of developing varicose veins due to the amount of blood in your body increasing, increased hormone levels and the pressure of the womb expanding.
  • Medical Conditions – Certain conditions can put you more at risk of varicose veins.

What are the best treatments for Varicose Veins

At The Private Clinic we offer a range minimally invasive varicose vein treatments are carried out in our Vascular hospitals under local anaesthetic and they include:

EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation) or Endovenous laser treatment

EVLA treatment locates the damaged vein with ultrasound, before using laser heat to collapse the wall of the vein and destroy the cause of the problem.

Sclerotherapy (Foam & Liquid)

Foam sclerotherapy is an injectable treatment that involves a foam sclerosing solution being injected into the affected veins to cause inflammation and push blood out of the area which will eventually close off the vein.

VenaSeal

VenaSeal treatment for varicose veins uses medical adhesive which is dispensed within the vein using a small catheter. The vein is closed, and the blood is re-routed through other healthy veins.

Phlebectomy

A phlebectomy procedure involves making very small incisions at the site of the affected veins allowing the varicose veins to be removed via a specialised tool.

varicose vein removal surgery before after photos resultsvaricose vein evla before after photos

Varicose Vein treatment at The Private Clinic

At the Private Clinic, we have over 35 years of experience providing the best and latest vein removal treatments and have treated over 7,000 patients concerned about their veins. We work with highly qualified consultant vascular surgeons who have extensive experience in their field.

  • We are able to offer some of the least invasive method for varicose veins and thread veins for your legs, body, and face.
  • No lengthy downtime or recovery required.
  • Our Consultant vascular surgeons are pioneers in EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation) and have treated thousands of patients.
  • We focus on the underlying cause of your veins and you will only see a Consultant Vascular surgeon for varicose veins.
  • The NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) Gold Standard for treatment of Varicose Veins findings shows that the success rate after five years for EVLA is 95.4%.
  • A consultation with one of our Consultant Vascular Surgeons costs £150, including a free ultrasound scan of your legs (usually priced between £350 and £450 at most clinics and private hospitals).
  • Treatment takes one hour; you can go home shortly after being treated.
  • We have been featured in several TV shows and press including Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies, TLC’s My Naked Secret and have been recently featured in Harper’s Bazaar’s Cosmetic Tweakment Trends for 2019.
  • We have been able to restore the confidence in many of our patients by avoiding health issues and achieving great results.
  • We are able to offer finance solutions with manageable payments to suit a variety of budgets.
  • View our extensive FAQs
  • See our previous patient stories
  • View varicose vein before and after photo results
  • View our varicose veins blogs for more information
  • Download our varicose vein treatment brochure

Our Expert Vascular Surgeons

Consultations are available at our vein clinics located across the UK

To find out more about varicose vein treatment or to book a veins consultation with any of our vascular surgeons call us on 0333 920 2471 or use our varicose vein online contact form.

How to treat varicose veins?

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Varicose veins are veins that have become enlarged, swollen, twisted and more prominent in appearance. They are often blue or purple in colour but can also be colour-less. Varicose veins occur when the valves within the veins that control blood flow become weak and instead of moving the blood along, it instead sits within the vein which results in the enlarged appearance.

For most patients, varicose veins are just cosmetic concern but for some, they can cause pain and discomfort as well as feeling self-conscious of the appearance of their legs.

Typical physical varicose vein symptoms include:

  • Swelling of the feet and/or ankles
  • Legs that feel heavy and ache
  • Burning or throbbing sensation in the legs
  • Muscle cramps
  • Dry or itchy skin

There are lots of options out there to help people relieve the pain of varicose veins such as:

Compression Stockings

Compression stockings can easily be found in many pharmacies and high street stores. They are often worn to prevent the occurrence of venous disorders such as ulcers and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and can also help to boost circulation in the legs. They are often recommended to people with troublesome varicose veins as they can reduce pain and aching in the legs which is associated with varicose veins.

The relief from compression stockings will only be temporary however and there can be side effects from wearing them for too long so it may be worth discussing usage with your GP or pharmacist before purchasing.

Exercise

Exercise is often cited as the healing tool for most conditions but in the case of varicose veins it really can help. Regular exercise will encourage blood circulation in the legs which helps with the flow of blood through the veins. We recommend low impact exercises that focus of the calf muscles so walking, cycling, yoga and swimming are all good options to include into your routines.

Keeping moving throughout the day is also going to help keep the blood flowing through the veins so taking regular breaks from sitting down at a desk for example is ideal.

Diet

Diet is another common healing tool for many conditions but having a healthy diet full of the nutrients that your body needs is always going to help. If you are experiencing swelling, then reducing your intake of salty or sodium-rich foods which retain water is going to help to improve this. Instead, replace these with potassium rich foods which are known to reduce water retention so adding nuts, potatoes, lentils and leafy greens into your diet will hopefully reduce swelling.

Keeping to an ideal weight is always going to help with varicose veins complications as excess weight will put pressure on the veins so reducing this will alleviate swelling and discomfort.

Massage

A gentle leg massage can work wonders to reduce any discomfort and pain and it can also be great for encouraging circulation in the legs again. We do advise that you avoid pressing directly onto the veins however as this can damage fragile tissues.

Elevation of the legs

As if we need an excuse to put our legs up. – If your legs are feeling uncomfortable then try resting with your legs elevated, ideally at the same height as the heart or above it as this will help to improve circulation. If you know you are going to be sat down for long periods, then elevating the legs is encouraged to help relieve pain.

Clothing choice

The type of clothing or shoes that you wear could be causing the symptoms of varicose veins to become worse. High heels and tight jeans should ideally be swapped for flat shoes and loose-fitting clothing as tighter clothing can restrict the blood flow causing additional discomfort.

Surgical Treatment

All of the suggestions above can really help to reduce the pain and discomfort of varicose veins on a temporary basis, but for more permanent relief; surgical varicose vein removal treatment is going to be the best option.

We offer patients 4 types of minimally invasive varicose vein treatments that are performed by world-class vascular surgeons in our clinics across the UK.

EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation) is the NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) Gold Standard for treatment for Varicose Veins and the most popular choice at our clinics. Treatment involves locating the damaged vein with ultrasound before using laser heat to collapse the wall of the vein and destroy the cause of the problem.

EVLA Endovenous Laser Ablation varicose veins before after photo

VenaSeal is a closure system treatment that uses medical grade Sapheon Glue which is dispensed through the affected veins using a small catheter. The glue works to seal and close the veins, re-routing the blood into healthy veins located deeper within the leg.

VenaSeal leg veins treatmnet before after photo

Foam Sclerotherapy is an effective treatment for larger veins where a foam solution is injected into the varicose veins which coats the vein wall which causes the walls to become sticky and inflammation which pushes blood out of the vein before they then shrink down and disappear.

Foam Sclerotherapy treatment for larger leg veins before after photo

Phlebectomy is usually used for large veins that are close to the surface of the skin. Small incisions are made, and tiny hooks are inserted to remove the vein. The procedure does not involve stitches and the downtime is short, this procedure if often combined with another treatment such as EVLA to ensure that all the affected veins are treated.

Phlebectomy large veins on legs before after photo

Why choose The Private Clinic for Varicose Vein treatment?

 To find out more about varicose vein treatments or book a consultation please call, 0333 920 2471 or use our Varicose Vein online contact form.

Expert Vascular Surgeons