EVLA/Endovenous Laser Ablation is considered the Gold Standard of treatment for varicose veins by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), a non-departmental public body whose aim is to encourage the best healthcare practices across the country. The treatment works to locate the damaged vein with ultrasound, before using laser heat to collapse the wall of the vein and destroy the cause of the problem. EVLA is performed under local anaesthetic and boasts much speedier recovery times and success rates than traditional vein stripping.

RFA/Radiofrequency Ablation treatment is a NICE approved Varicose Vein treatment also known as an Endothermal Ablation technique. The treatment has a similar success rate as EVLA. Ultrasound is used to accurately position the catheter into the veins being treated. The small catheter uses radiofrequency thermal energy to heat the walls of the vein which then shrinks and causes the vein to seal closed. Blood will reroute to other healthy veins and the treated veins will be absorbed by the body over time. Compression stockings will need to be worn for at least one week after the procedure but overall it tends to have faster recovery time compared to laser treatments.

Sclerotherapy treatment is usually only suitable for smaller thread veins however our foam sclerotherapy treatment can be really effective on larger varicose veins. The treatment involves a foam solution being injected into the vein which eventually causes the vein to close, shrink and disappear. The treatment is quick, often taking less than 30 minutes and performed under local anaesthetic

VenaSeal is a closure system that uses medical adhesive to close varicose veins. This treatment is ideal for patients who have a phobia of needles as it only requires one small injection per vein. A small catheter will be inserted and guided through the leg using ultrasound imaging. A VenaSeal tool is then used to dispense small amounts of medical-grade Sapheon Glue to close the vein. When the vein has closed, the blood is re-routed through healthier veins that are deeper within the leg. The original varicose vein is then gradually absorbed by the body. VenaSeal boasts a quick recovery time with many patients being able to get back to work and exercise a lot quicker and without the need to wear a compression garment throughout the recovery period.

Varicose vein removal by Phlebectomy is best for enlarged vein removal, particularly varicose veins that are close to the surface of the skin. The veins are first marked up by the surgeon before the areas are then anaesthetised using local anaesthetic. Tiny incisions are then made to remove the veins from the area using a very fine surgical hook. The treatment is painless, no stitches are required and patients are able to return home the same day.

Phlebectomy procedures are usually combined with EVLA to fully treat both the surface and any underlying veins.

We also offer thread vein treatments at our Manchester Vein Clinic with microsclerotherapy treatment for thread veins.

Microsclerotherapy is an injectable treatment ideal for removing thread and spider veins from the legs. The treatment involves injecting a small amount of sclerosing agent into the veins that is designed to irritate the inner vein walls and make them sticky. This causes the walls of the spider veins to stick together and close up. The results from microsclerotherapy are usually instant but redness in the areas treated may occur in the days following treatment. All patients will be required to wear compression stockings for around 21 days following treatment. Multiple treatments may be required to achieve the best results.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment can be used to effectively remove thread veins on the face, body and legs. The treatment is best performed on fine thread veins and results can be seen after just one session. More pronounced spider veins often require multiple treatments. The skin may appear red and sometimes swollen for around 24 hours following treatment but no further significant downtime is required.

The cost of RFA or EVLA treatment for varicose veins starts from £1,800.

This price includes compression stockings, all aftercare and follow-up appointments.

The cost of Foam Sclerotherapy treatment for varicose veins starts from £500.

This price includes compression stockings, all aftercare and follow-up appointments.

Varicose veins are caused when the vein walls and valves become weak leaving them unable to function correctly. When this occurs, blood can flow backward and pool in the vein, causing the veins to stretch or twist. There are certain risk factors which can make you more prone to developing varicose veins which include:

• Weight gain
• Pregnancy
• Genetics
• Ageing
• Standing/Sitting for long periods

Thread veins are blood vessels that have broken. This is caused when pressure is put on capillaries and finer veins causing damage or expansion of the vein resulting in them becoming permanently dilated.

There are numerous factors which can cause thread or spider veins.

• Age
• Trauma
• Genetics
• Hormonal Changes
• Medical Conditions

Find out more about the causes of facial thread veins in our blog

Varicose veins are not only an unsightly nuisance, but they can also be potential health hazards putting you at risk of blood clots, ulcers, swelling, hyperpigmentation, and venous disease.

Many patients who come to see us describe feeling pain and discomfort in the legs, itchiness, fatigue and swelling of the skin which are all symptoms of varicose veins that can continue to become worse over time if left untreated.

All of our varicose vein treatments are performed under local anaesthetic so you should not feel any pain during the procedure and our expert team will be on hand to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure.

In the hours following a varicose vein treatment, once the local anaesthetic has worn off, patients may experience a little discomfort, but this is minimal and can be easily managed with pain relief if required.

Treatment for thread/spider veins should not be painful.

Microsclerotherapy is performed under local anaesthetic.

If treating your spider veins with laser, a slight tingling or warm feeling may be felt as pulses of light are delivered.

It is unlikely for the same varicose veins to appear again once they have been treated. Varicose vein treatment however is not able to guarantee that no other veins may appear. If you are prone to varicose veins then certain lifestyle factors could cause new varicose veins to appear.

Our surgeons are keen to ensure that your results are long-lasting however so will provide you with all the information you need to know about avoiding the recurrence of varicose veins.

We average that there is a 1% chance of new veins developing each year after treatment.

Thread vein removal treatments are permanent in that the ones treated should not return.

However, thread/spider vein treatment is not able to prevent new thread veins from developing.