Sclerotherapy for varicose veins

Benefits

Sclerotherapy is a safe, well established medical treatment for larger thread veins on the legs. Although other treatments are available, sclerotherapy remains the most successful of all. It achieves optimal destruction of the blood vessel wall by superficially injecting an irritant solution into the vein.

Treatment

Varicose veins are swollen veins on the legs, that look lumpy and blueish through the skin. They occur when the valves in the veins in the legs become weak, allowing blood to collect in the leg vein instead of flowing back to the heart.

These varicose veins need specialist treatment by a vascular surgeon to destroy them by using either radio frequency or endovenous laser treatment.
Reticular ( blue or green) veins and red thread veins are treated by sclerotherapy.

A solution is injected with a very fine needle, very superficially into the veins, causing the lining of the vein to swell and become sticky. The procedure includes a compression bandage or stocking applied by the nurse immediately after treatment, to help the vein walls stick together. Over a period of time, the vein will close and fade. The process may take several weeks and it is quite normal for veins to look worse before they improve.  Results achieved after one treatment vary considerable from one person to another. Treatment may need to be repeated, and if so further sessions will be planned with intervals of 4 to16 weeks. An improvement in appearance of between 60% and 80% can then be expected.

As it is viewed as a cosmetic treatment, it is no longer available via the NHS. However it is now available from certified nurses who have undergone rigorous training. Yvonne had her training at London’s leading nationally recognised sclerotherapy training centre.

A consultation is required prior to treatment. Having undergone Endovenous Laser treatment (EVLT), and Radiofrequency treatment on her own varicose veins. Yvonne can recommend and refer to a local vascular surgeon who runs a successful vein clinic and specialises solely in treatment of varicose leg veins.