By Dr. TRACY MOUNTFORD, MBBS MBCAM
Varicose veins can be an unsightly blemish that you may want to have treated. These large purple or blue collections of veins, commonly appearing on legs and ankles, can sometimes be swollen, twisted or lumpy, often resulting in cramps or discomfort. The Cosmetic Skin Clinic in London can help take care of these possible health risks with a professional varicose vein treatment allowing you to remove them from your body with ease, discretion, and comfort.
Varicose veins
Veins carry blood from the heart to different areas of the body and back again. In order to reach the heart, the process has to work against gravity to allow the blood to flow upwards. This process is accomplished by a series of muscle contractions and one-way valves. However, sometimes these valves malfunction and over time cause the veins to bulge, making them no longer useful clusters of veins that form under the skin.
They can sometimes cause an itchy sensation at the site where the varicose veins have developed. Swelling, burning, or muscle cramps may occur after long periods of sitting, causing pain in the leg when you stand up again. If left untreated, the varicose veins may cause serious complications:
Leg swelling – Fluid from the blood may leak into surrounding tissue due to pressure causing swelling.
Skin ulcers – Sores can develop on the skin over time as veins that cause swelling are left untreated due to the fact that skin in that area is less likely to heal.
Skin infection – With the swelling in effect, the body is less able to fight infection and sores and wounds may develop a bacterial infection.
Bleeding – There is a very large amount of blood in a varicose vein and it sits just beneath the skin; if it is cut or hit can sometimes cause an alarming amount of bleeding.
Thrombophlebitis – Blood clots may form in a varicose vein causing the area to become warm and painful, so the vein will also become very hard and needs to be removed.
Removal of varicose veins
The procedures used to remove varicose veins at our skin clinic in London include; EVLA, Sclerotherapy, VenaSeal, and Phlebectomy.
EVLA is a new treatment that doesn’t require surgery. The veins are heated by a laser. The heat kills the walls of the veins, causing the lining to dissolve and be reabsorbed by the body.
Sclerotherapy is an injection of saltwater into the vein which also causes the lining to dissolve and be reabsorbed by the body.
VenaSeal is a special vein glue that is injected in small amounts into the vein sealing it off and causing the body to automatically reroute the flow of blood.
Phlebectomy is minimally invasive and involves using a small needle or scalpel to pull the veins out from underneath the skin.
All procedures at our skin clinic in London are performed under a local anaesthetic, allowing you to sit with ease, as your varicose veins are gently taken care of in a safe and sterile environment by professionals who care about your health and wellbeing.
