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Treating Varicose Veins: Laura’s Story

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It’s a common misconception that varicose veins are a sign of ageing. While they occur more frequently in those who are closer to middle age (50% of women over 50 suffer from them) they can rear themselves at any age, even in spite of the best leg care regimes.

A perfect example of this is Laura, a 25 year old who gave up her dream of modelling at the tender age of 19 all because of varicose veins on her legs.  Refused treatment by the NHS, Laura felt she had nowhere to turn until a family member recommended The Private Clinic Manchester as a possible treatment centre. After consultation and a good talk with our Consultant Vascular Surgeon. Laura decided to go undergo EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation), a minimally-invasive laser method of vein removal.

Laura with Consultant Vascular Surgeon Mr. Tahir Hussain.

The walk-in, walk-out method is performed under local anaesthetic and yields better results (not withstanding quicker recovery) than more traditional, surgical methods of vein removal.

During treatment, damaged veins are located using advanced ultrasound. Once the Surgeon has then mapped the veins and is sure of the cause of the problem, radio-frequency energy is directed at problem veins to make their walls collapse and the bulging blue vein disappear. It takes as little as 45 minutes (or 30 minutes in Laura’s case) and patients are free to leave once they’ve had a rest and their doctor believes they’re safe to return home – no hospital stay required.

This, teamed with the treatment’s success rate, has led EVLA to become NICE’s (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) ‘Gold Standard’ for varicose vein removal. The non-departmental public body outline that the method is far more effective and safe than surgical stripping, with longer-lasting results and a much easier recovery.

For patients like Laura, it’s not just about the veins look that mattered – it’s how they make you feel. Visit Laura’s patient story page to find out more.

Varicose Vein Removal at The Private Clinic

We work exclusively with pioneers of minimally-invasive varicose vein treatments, meaning we only offer the most effective way to target damaged veins. As one of the UK’s leading specialist vein centres, regardless of your age or what’s causing the problem, our leading surgeons will work closely with you to find a treatment plan that works for you. With over 35 years of Harley Street medical excellence behind us, we have only one aim – your satisfaction.

  • The least invasive method for varicose veins and thread veins removal treatment for your legs, body and face.
  • Our Consultant vascular surgeons are pioneers in EVLA(Endovenous Laser Ablation) and have treated thousands of patients.
  • No lengthy downtime or recovery required.
  • The NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) Gold Standard for treatment of Varicose Veins findings show that the success rate after five years for EVLA is 95.4%.
  • We also offer VenaSeal, Foam Sclerotherapy and Phlebectomy varicose vein procedures.
  • 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).
  • We focus on the underlying cause of your veins and you will only see a Consultant Vascular surgeon for varicose veins.
  • We have treated thousands of patients who have regained their confidence whilst avoiding health issues.
  • Treatment takes one hour, you can go home shortly after being treated.
  • Owing to our success, we have been featured on Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies , TLC’s My Naked Secret and featured in Harper’s Bazaar’s Cosmetic Tweakment Trends for 2019.
  • We have carried out over 7,000 procedures in treating Veins.
  • View our varicose veins before and after photos.
  • Read our extensive varicose veins FAQs.
  • Take a look at our varicose vein patient stories.
  • Find out more information in our varicose vein blogs.
  • Download our varicose veins brochure.

We offer Varicose Veins treatments and consultations in London, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Bournemouth, Bexhill, and Northampton

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

Why do we sweat? And how can you treat excessive sweating?

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We explore what causes us to sweat, and how you can treat excessive perspiration. 

While the grey clouds and drop in temperature suggest that summer’s left us for the other side of the world, think back a couple of weeks when temperatures hovered in the sweltering thirties (oh, those were the days) and you’ll also remember feeling somewhat sticky.

Sweat. It’s one of life’s least glamorous necessities and a natural bodily function we all have to endure. It not only keeps us cool, but also helps in the body’s battle against infection, as well as balancing hormones during stressful situations. Dressed up with somewhere to go on a hot day, however, it’s also rather frustrating.

We have between two and five million sweat glands on our body which when combined produce an average of one and a half gallons of sweat every day. While this might sound excessive, it is perfectly normal and 99% of the time you probably won’t notice you are secretly leaking a liquid to cool you down.

excessive-sweating-why-do-we-sweat

Most of the sweat we produce is created to balance our temperature and hails from the eccrine sweat glands. This sweat is watery and odourless.  When we sweat for an emotional reason,the sweat comes from apocrine glands which, unlike heat sweat,  is oily and produces the unpleasant odour we associate with feeling a bit clammy.

Apart from in highly stressful situations or during excessive exercise, neither of these glands should cause you too much trouble. Excessive sweating (known formally as hyperhidrosis), meanwhile, is a completely different experience. Those with hyperhidrosis can sweat up to five times as much as those with normal sweat glands and the triggers aren’t always clear. Excessive sweat is linked to the errine glands rather than apocrines which means it doesn’t have an unpleasant smell, but that doesn’t make it any less embarrassing or pleasant to endure.

Your weight and overall health can play a huge part in the amount of sweat you produce. The body needs to produce more sweat to cool you down if you’re overweight, for example. Though, perhaps rather bizarrely, sweat can also be a sign of health. If you exercise regularly, your body will have trained itself to release more sweat sooner to cool down and manage your temperature throughout your workout.

While most sufferers are perfectly healthy despite the excess liquid, too much perspiration can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. If you do sweat more than you feel you should, it is important to understand what type of sweat you are experiencing and whether you are at risk:

Localised (primary focal) hyperhidrosis:

Focal hyperhydrosis is characterised by an excess of sweat in a particular region of the body, most commonly the underarms, palms, soles, groin or scalp area. It is thought to affect around 3% of the population, most of whom are usually aged between 25-64. In primary focal hyperhidrosis, sweating is restricted to one or two areas and sufferers are otherwise healthy; it is very rare that an isolated area of excessive sweating is a sign of disease or illness.

Generalised (secondary general) hyperhidrosis:

Secondary general hyperhidrosis is less common than the localised form of the condition. It is characterised by a large amount of perspiration across the entire body rather than one specific area, particularly during sleep. The condition is known as ‘secondary’ because it is usually caused by an underlying medical condition or a reaction to medication.

Generalised hyperhidrosis can often occur alongside hyperthyroidism,  diabetes, pregnancy and the menopause, and it is important to notify your doctor should it suddenly occur. It can also be a side effect of serious conditions like cancer and Parkinson’s disease. If you are concerned about any serious condition or are experiencing hyperhidrosis in your sleep, it is always advisable to seek medical advice and examination.

sweat on face excess sweating treatment

Despite hyperhidrosis being a common condition, few realise that treatment can be surprisingly simple, providing there isn’t a serious medical concern behind it. Sometimes simply cutting out major causes like spicy foods and caffeine can make a huge difference, as well as limiting cigarette and alcohol consumption. Overweight sufferers can often find their problem cured by losing a few pounds; fat acts as an insulator and the body has to produce more sweat in order to cool itself down. The worst area for focal hyperhidrosis is the armpits (axillas) which is often highly obvious in appearance and can cause embarrassment. But there is also a proven treatment to ease the effects and stop the sweat.

At The Private Clinic we use premium quality botulinum toxin to treat the axillas. Botox takes as little as 30 minutes and is medically proven to block the nerve action of the problem sweat glands and thus stop the problem, with results lasting between 6-12 months. It is however highly specialised, meaning you should research your practitioner fully to ensure you are completely safe. Unfortunately the regulation of botox in the UK means many poorly qualified administers exist making it not only ineffective, but also dangerous. 

If you’re suffering with excess sweat, there are ways to get rid of the problem. Consult with a professional to ensure that your condition isn’t the result of something more sinister and, if you opt for treatment, ensure that your practitioner has extensive experience and knowledge.

Sweat is perfectly healthy, having your life ruined by it isn’t.

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The Private Clinic

At The Private Clinic we understand that small problems can make a huge impact on your life. We have over thirty years of Harley Street medical excellence behind every treatment we offer and work with only the most qualified nurses and doctors to ensure your treatment is effective and performed safely.

Find out more.

FUE Eyebrow Transplant Procedure Through Photos

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Yesterday our very own Marie underwent an FUE Eyebrow Transplant. The procedure as a whole lasted approximately four to five hours and Marie was able to continue with her day once the treatment was completed.

The FUE procedure for Marie was carried out by Dr Tetiana Mamontova. Dr Mamontova is a well respected specialist in the performance of advanced aesthetic procedures. Since moving to the UK in 2012 her fellow specialists have praised her high attention to detail, skill and artistic vision where she is able to provide the best and most natural results to her patients. She has undergone extensive training under the expertise of Dr Raghu Reddy.

We were lucky enough to be there and take photographs of the meticulous procedure.eyebrow-fue-hair-transplant-before

eyebrow-outline-before-hair-transplant

Before commencing the procedure Dr Mamontova designes and draws Marie’s desired brow shape to use as a map for the transplantation.   

live-eyebrow-transplant

Once Marie is comfortable Dr Mamontova begins to find a fine stretch of hair at the base of the head to use as the Donor Area. Normally for eyebrow transplants the donor hair will be taken from behind the ears – as this is the finest area of hair. However as Marie naturally has fine hair Dr Mamontova chooses a small stretch at the base of her head.

Dr Mamontova ensures that the donor area is inconspicuous so as not to be noticeable post treatment. The small stretch of hair is then trimmed back with scissors ready to start removing the healthy hair follicles.

live-eyebrow-fue-hair-transplant

Local anaesthetic is then injected into the Donor area. A vibration device and ice are used to make this process more comfortable for Marie. As soon as Marie is certain she can no longer feel anything within the donor area – Dr Mamontova proceeds to begin the extraction.

hair-transplant-punches

These two punches are 0.3mm thick. The bronze ended punch on the left hand side is sharp. This is used to make the first incision into the healthy singular follicle needed for Marie’s eyebrows. The second punch on the right is blunt and is used to ‘punch’ or to widen the area around the hair follicle in order to remove the whole healthy follicle.

It’s important for Dr Mamontova to first determine the angulation of Marie’s Hair. Unlike Asian or Caucasian hair follicles Afro-Carribbean hair follicles have unique features in which a lot are curly. When making the incision with the punches Dr Mamontova needs to take into consideration the way in which the hair follicle curles in order to excise it as whole.

Through this video footage we can see the exact precision that needed shown by Dr Mamontova as she selects the healthiest and most suitable hair follicles for the transplantation.

hair-follicles-hair-transplantation

As we can see once the two punches have been used – the first to localise the healthy follicle and the second the cut around it for easy excision – and the whole hair follicle has been removed, along with surrounding fat tissue.

From the video footage we saw that the healthy follicle actually contain the growth of two hairs – our experienced technicians will then proceed to divide these ready for the implant into her eyebrow area.

This entire process is repeated until enough hair is taken to give the desired results Marie is after.

The next stage of the procedure is to get Marie ready for the actual transplant treatment. As we saw earlier: a design of the particular shape Marie desires is drawn around the eyebrow area. This is injected with local anaesthetic. Dr Mamontova then proceeds to inject the new follicles into the area one by one. As mentioned earlier because some of the hair follicles curl Dr Mamontova is very precise and take special care when she inserting each hair follicle to ensure the curl is in the right direction of the rest of her eyebrow.

hair-follicles-hair-transplanthair-follicles-hair-transplantFUE Hair Transplant live FUE Hair Transplantation live

fue eyebrow transplant live

Straight after the treatment we can see Marie’s eyebrows are perfectly shaped and complete! There is little redness and Marie is still very comfortable – albeit a little tired.

eyebrows-fue-hair-transplant-after

Just an hour after her treatment the redness has subsided and Marie is ready to continue with her day – very pleased with her results!

A look into Varicose Veins

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Statistically one in five people will develop Varicose Veins as they age and women are known to be more affected than men. Varicose Veins normally occur in the legs – often around the backs of the calves, inside of the legs and thighs – appearing as lumpy and twisted blue or dark purple bulges under the skin.

treatment_varicose_veins3_before

As well as their distinctive appearance Varicose Veins can cause some discomfort through aching or heavy legs and swollen feet and ankles. Some patients have complained of burning, throbbing and cramping muscles and at times dry and itchy skin over the swollen veins.

In this blog we have a look at how Varicose Veins develop, the various treatment methods, and risks involved if left untreated.

How do Varicose Veins Develop?

It is thought that Varicose Veins are a heredity issue where as many as 50% of women over the age of 50 are affected. Increasing age, sun exposure and obesity can contribute to the development of Varicose Veins as well as hormonal factors including puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.

The role of veins is to carry the blood from the body back towards the heart. This is helped through muscle contractions as the blood being pumped is going upwards against gravity. Valves within the veins act as one way doors to prevent the blood flowing backwards. However if the valves begin to weaken blood can leak back into the veins and can begin to collect. Over a period of time the veins begin to swell and bulge – showing just beneath the skin.

How are Varicose Veins treated? 

We offer four different treatment methods at The Private Clinic across the UK – London, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Bournemouth, Bexhill and Northampton. All our procedures are carried out by out by a Consultant Vascular Surgeon as a walk-in walk-out procedure and under a local anaesthetic.

During your consultation with your Consultant Vascular Surgeon an ultrasound scan will be carried out to assess the route of the veins and to mark their positioning. This scan, which is normally priced from £350, is offered to our patients free of charge during the consultation.

Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) of Varicose Veins is a NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) approved non-invasive and simple treatment technique by the use of a laser. Local anaesthetic is administered and through a small incision a probe is inserted. In order to stop the back leakage of blood into the vein, the laser delivers short pulses to seal the valves. The area is then bandaged to reduce any swelling or bruising.

VenaSeal is a closure system that uses medical adhesive to close varicose veins. Under ultrasound guidance, a catheter is passed into the vein which dispenses small amounts of medical grade Sapheon Glue which works to seal and close the vein. It is a is a great option for patients who have a needle phobia as VenaSeal only requires a single injection per vein.

Foam Sclerotherapy usually sclerotherapy is only recommended for thread veins however small varicose veins can sometimes be treated with liquid sclerotherapy but for larger veins we find foam sclerotherapy to be more effective. Foam sclerotherapy involves a foam solution being injected into the varicose veins where it coats the vein wall causing inflammation. This inflammation causes blood to be pushed out of the vein leaving the vein walls sticky where they will eventually close and within a couple of weeks the varicose vein will start to shrink and disappear.

Phlebectomy is carried out using a local anaesthetic. It involves removal of large varicose veins which lie close on the surface of the legs via micro incisions. These incisions are so small that stitches are not required and the patient does not require lengthy downtime.

Male 01BB Before and After

Left Leg: Before Photo. Right Leg: After Photo

Female 03BB Before and After

Left Leg: Before Photo. Right Leg: After Photo

What happens is Varicose Veins are left untreated?

For most people health problems from Varicose Veins are unlikely. However, for others, some complications can arise and it’s important to seek your doctor. Some patients who undergo treatments for Varicose Veins comment that after their procedure felt more energised despite not necessarily noticing any complications with their veins prior to treatment. It is normally noted that complications with the association of Varicose and Spider Veins are more likely to begin several years after their appearance.

Thrombosphlebitis is caused by blood clots forming within the vein and thus leads to the vein swelling. If this happens you may experience some redness and pain and warmth in the area of the Varicose Veins themselves.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency occurs due to a blockage within the vein or the leakage of blood around the valves of the vein. The veins are then unable to pump enough blood back to the heart or the blockage can interfere with the way skin exchanges oxygen and nutrients products with your blood. If this continues over a prolonged period of time it can lead to other conditions:

  • One of the more serious complications associated with Varicose Veins are ‘Venous Ulcers’. Normally forming around the ankle area, an ulcer develops due to the increased pressure in the veins of the lower leg causing fluid to seep from the vein and slowly collect just under the skin.
  • Eczema can also be a complication from the result of Varicose Veins. The condition can become permanent and it causes the skin to become red and scaly sometimes producing blisters on your skin.
  • Lipodermatosclerosis normally occurs around the calf and is the hardening and tightening of skin which may cause the colour to turn red and brown.

These conditions can generally be treated quite quickly and easily however if you do notice any changes in your skin please see your doctor.

Why choose The Private Clinic for Varicose Vein Treatment?

We are one of the UK’s most recognised specialist Varicose Vein Clinics in the UK where our Consultant Vascular Surgeons have been the first and very few within the UK to pioneer the Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLA) treatment. Through their advancement of techniques and skill we have over a 95% success rate where thousands of our patients have regained their confidence and most importantly have been cleared of any hazardous health issues associated with Varicose Veins.

  • The least invasive method for varicose veins and thread veins removal treatment for your legs, body and face.
  • Our Consultant vascular surgeons are pioneers in EVLA(Endovenous Laser Ablation) and have treated thousands of patients.
  • No lengthy downtime or recovery required.
  • The NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) Gold Standard for treatment of Varicose Veins findings show 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).
  • We focus on the underlying cause of your veins and you will only see a Consultant Vascular surgeon for varicose veins.
  • We have treated thousands of patients who have regained their confidencewhilst avoiding health issues.
  • Treatment takes one hour, you can go home shortly after being treated.
  • Owing to our success, we have been featured on Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies , TLC’s My Naked Secret and featured in Harper’s Bazaar’s Cosmetic Tweakment Trends for 2019.
  • We have carried out over 7,000 procedures in treating Veins.
  • View our varicose vein before and after photos.
  • Read our extensive varicose vein FAQs.
  • Take a look at our varicose vein patient stories.
  • Find out more in our varicose vein blogs.
  • Download our varicose vein brochure.

We offer Varicose Veins treatments and consultations in London, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Bournemouth, Bexhill  and Northampton with our expert surgeons.

Expert Vascular Surgeons

To find out more or book a consultation you can call 0333 920 2471 or use our Varicose Vein online contact form.