Sclerotherapy

Veins can easily be removed on legs, safely, quickly and successfully using new Advanced Microsclerotherapy.

Thread veins on the legs become more fragile as we grow older. They break easily and the dilated veins appear just below the surface of the skin. These tiny red veins are known as thread veins or broken veins. They can be very ugly, have a red, bluish or purple colour which appear unsightly. Sometimes they produce a dull aching of the legs after prolonged standing.

In some people they can occur in small areas, become raised, more purple in colour and particularly noticeable. In others they cover larger areas of skin and are very disfiguring, and highly embarrassing, causing the person to permanently wear long skirts, thick opaque tights or trousers in the attempt to disguise the condition.

You will now be delighted to learn that they can be treated effectively by a non-surgical, clinical out-patient treatment using a new technique.

The cause of these veins varies. In many cases it seems to be hereditary. Oestrogen or other hormones may also add to their development, including puberty and pregnancy. Spider veins may develop after an injury or blow to the site. They may also be related to chronic sun exposure or extremes of temperature.

Sclerotherapy has been established and used by medical practitioners for many years - since the 1930's. Recent advances in technology have significantly improved this effective treatment, its application and its pleasing results. Using a micro-probe as fine as a human hair an irritant solution is placed directly into the thread vein and then gentle pressure is applied to the area, closing off the affected capillaries so that the blood dries up and the vein is no longer noticeable.

Depending upon the size of the vein, a single thread vein may have to be probed several times with 4-8 weeks in between treatments, and in any one session, a number of veins may be treated. This may involve as many as 20 plus injections in any one session, with varying .strengths of solutions. For more pronounced veins several treatments may be required. Over the next 4-8 weeks the vein will gradually fade and greatly improve in

This treatment should not be undertaken by anyone who might be pregnant or is breastfeeding,

How do I care for my legs after treatment?

Maintain normal activities including walking for at least 10 minutes in each hour - the more the better, as this works the muscles in the legs and aids circulation in the treated area. Gentle walking helps to reduce pressure in the superficial veins.
Gentle massage using stroking movements towards the heart aids the circulation, relieves aching in the legs and aids the healing process.
Avoid standing for prolonged periods for approximately 14 days after treatment.
Always avoid sitting cross legged or sitting with legs under buttocks as this interferes with the circulation of blood.
Avoid very hot baths and saunas immediately pre and post – treatment.
Avoid sunbeds or sunbathing immediately pre - and post - treatment.
Avoid applying fake tan or perfumed products to the treated area for 3 days.
Avoid strenuous physical activity, steps, aerobic and weight lifting exercises for approximately 72 hours after treatment.
Avoid picking, pulling, scratching and touching the treated area.
Avoid standing and walking in high heeled shoes.
Avoid restrictive clothing, e.g. jeans.
Avoid alcohol and aspirin for 24 hours pre - and post - treatment.

What happens after treatment?

Most people feel comfortable in resuming their normal activities. There may be:
Temporary puffiness of the treated area, including raised lumps similar to bee stings.
Raised and red areas at the site of probing, which will disappear within a few days.
Aching in the site treated for the first few days and this is usually relieved by gentle walking or simple pain-relief.
There is a possibility that you could experience a reaction related to the injection process itself. However this does not mean it is necessary to discontinue treatment. For instance, temporary mild bruising or a slight blush could occur at the treated area.
Slight bruises may occur at the site of probing and these will disappear in a few weeks. This is related to the fragility of the small veins. Blood trapped in the site treated may cause the vein to be more noticeable in the first few weeks following treatment, and is an early sign that the treatment has been successful.
Brownish lines on the skin at the site treated are composed of haemosiderin - iron stored in the blood. These result from the blood escaping from the treated veins, and in most cases they will disappear within a few months. In order to prevent this side effect we advise you do not take any iron supplements during your course of treatment.
Inflammation of the treated blood vessel - this may be due to a rare reaction of the sclerosant on the vein. If this does occur it is usually treated with compression.
A rare complication is the development of a small ulcer at the treatment site within 2 weeks of treatment, due to escape of solution through fragile veins. This is more common in smokers.

Smokers are likely to heal slower than non- smokers and may require longer fade time.

The reaction of the skin and veins to treatment after sclerotherapy varies from person to person. In most cases only slight redness occurs. The thread veins may appear more noticeable immediately after treatment, then will slowly start to fade over the next 6-8 weeks. The fading process is gradual with treated veins slowly fading.

In heavy smokers the fading process will continue for up to 3 months after the last treatment. These reactions are quite normal.

Once the veins have been treated, those veins will not reappear, but this does not guarantee against the appearance of new veins. Therefore your post - treatment care and maintenance is essential.

Case Studies:
Sclerotherapy

View more before and afters in our gallery.

Our Danne Harley Street Clinic provides Sclerotherapy throughout London, Berkshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Middlesex and Surrey. Call 020 7291 4449 for more information.