Sclerotherapy for varicose veins

Benefits

Sclerotherapy is a safe, well established medical treatment for varicose veins and 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.
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.

The best time for treatment is in the Autumn and Winter, when  legs are not likely to be exposed as much as in Summer months.

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.