How to treat Varicose Veins without surgery

Varicose veins are a common issue affecting up to 3 in 10 adults. They present themselves visibly as large and often bulging veins that may also be red or purple. Varicose veins are not just an unsightly nuisance, they can also cause discomfort, muscle cramps, swelling and dry skin.

Many people are put off by varicose vein treatment as they are concerned about the downtime and recovery as well as the worry about going under general anaesthetic for a surgical procedure. Over the years, medical technology has advanced and there are now several ways to cure veins, with no surgery required.

At The Private Clinic, we offer patients a variety of options for varicose vein removal and also include a free ultrasound scan at your consultation which means everything is covered in one visit. You will be able to find out what the problem is, what treatment is needed and what the price will be allowing you to leave with all the information you need to make an informed decision, with no pressure to book.

Non-Surgical Varicose Vein Treatments available at The Private Clinic

Endovenous Laser Ablation/ Endovenous laser treatment

Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) is one of our most commonly performed treatments for varicose vein removal. The treatment is considered the best vein removal method by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) and has a proven success rate of 95%.

Method: Performed under local anaesthetic, a fine catheter is inserted into the leg via a small incision where laser energy is then delivered to the area via a probe in small pulses. The laser energy seals the faulty valve which causes the blood flow to redirect to healthier veins deeper within the leg.

Aftercare: Following the procedure, the leg will be bandaged to help reduce swelling and bruising, it is also recommended to wear a compression stocking for 2 weeks following the procedure.

Recovery time: In the majority of cases, patients can return to the majority of their usual activities and work after 1-2 days. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for 5 days and should be returned gradually.

Results: The results from EVLA are best seen after 6 weeks.

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

RFA treatment is another NICE gold standard varicose vein treatment, and a great alternative to EVLA. This treatments are both similar, but RFA uses radiofrequency thermal heat energy to shrink and close off the treated varicose veins. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a tried-and-tested minimally invasive treatment with a track record for being low-risk and safe.

Method: Once local anaesthetic has been administered to the area, a small incision is made and a tiny catheter tube is inserted into the vein. The vascular surgeon uses ultrasound guidance to direct the RFA needle through the catheter tube. The needle emits radiofrequency energy which shrinks and dissolves the varicose vein walls through a tiny electrode. The damaged vein later disintegrates, before being absorbed and removed by the body through natural metabolic processes. Treatment time is around 60 minutes.

Aftercare: You will have bandages applied to the area following treatment and once these are removed after a few days, a compression stocking should be worn to aid the healing process.

Recovery: Exercise and other strenous activities should be avoided for at least a week following your procedure. Most patients are able to return to work within 1-2 days. It is recommended to move frequently and to avoid sitting or standing for long periods to aid circulation and encourage healing.

Results: It will take 4-6 weeks to see your results.

VenaSeal

VenaSeal closure treatment is one of the newest varicose vein treatments currently available. It is a great option for patients who may be afraid of needles as it requires a minimal number of injections in comparison to other treatments. It also boasts a quicker recovery time.

Method: The treatment involves medical-grade glue being injected into the vein via a fine catheter tube which then seals the inner walls of the veins being treated. The vein will then shrink and break down over time before the body disposes of it through natural processes. The efficient treatment takes less than 30 minutes to complete using a local anaesthetic and often only requires just one single injection.

Aftercare: The leg will have a small bandage applied to the injection site to seal it off and promote healing. There is often no need to wear compression stockings unless specifically recommended by the surgeon.

Recovery: Strenuous physical activities, and heavy lifting should be avoided for 5-7 days and patients should avoid taking long-haul flights for at least 2-4 weeks after the treatment. The majority of patients are able to return to work 1-2 days post-treatment

Results: It can take a few months for the vein to completely shrink before the body disposes of it naturally, but the first sign of visible results is often noticeable after 1 month.

Mr Tahir Hussain discusses VenaSeal treatment with Dr Tracy Mountford.

Foam Sclerotherapy

Foam Sclerotherapy is commonly performed in our clinic as an alternative treatment for patients who were not suitable for procedures like EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation). NICE) has recommended foam sclerotherapy treatment for varicose veins as a gold-standard option and it is often performed in combination with other treatments too.

Method: The procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes to complete under a local anaesthetic and involves using an injection of specialised medical sclerosant foam which coats the veins walls in a sticky substance causing inflammation. This results in the blood within the treated veins to re-route to healthier veins and over time the vein will close up completely before shrivelling away and being absorbed naturally by the body.

Aftercare: A pressure bandage will be applied to the treated area to compress the vein walls and minimise blood leakage which should be kept in place for 12-24 hours post-procedure. Compression stockings will need to be worn for 3-4 weeks to encourage optimal healing and recovery and ideally, your leg should be elevated when you are sitting for any length of time.

Recovery: Strenuous activity to the legs such as gym exercise, prolonged standing, kneeling, and bending should be avoided for 4-6 weeks. Many patients return to work 1-2 days following treatment.

Results: Skin pigmentation and lumpiness under the skin are common after sclerotherapy treatment but this usually fades within 6-12 months. Most patients see definitive results after 3-6 weeks following treatment, larger veins may take up to 3-4 months to fully disappear. In some cases, multiple treatments may be required.

Phlebectomy

A phlebectomy is a form of microsurgery and is often only performed if our other non-surgical treatments are not suitable. This is often the case if you have significantly large varicose veins that are close to the surface of the skin. It can also be used in combination with another treatment that may not be as effective as reducing the visible appearance of large bulging varicose veins.

Method: Ambulatory phlebectomy treatment is an in-clinic, day-case microsurgery procedure that uses local anaesthetic and takes between 30 minutes to one hour to complete. A small scalpel is used to make tiny micro-puncture incisions which allows the vascular surgeon to physically remove the damaged varicose vein with a very fine phlebectomy hook. Stitches are not required due to how small the incisions are and they will heal quickly without.

Aftercare: Surgical tape and dressing will be applied to the tiny micro-incision which should be left on for 3 days to allow the wound to heal. A compression bandage will also be applied to secure the treatment area and aid recovery. Compression stockings and bandages will need to be worn for 2-3 weeks after the procedure.

Recovery: Most patients are able to return to their usual activities within 24 hours, but some may wish to allow 2-3 days before returning to work depending on their role. Strenuous activities like going to the gym should be avoided for at least 2 weeks.

Results: The results of phlebectomy are immediately visible but complete healing from swelling and bruising may take several days to a few weeks.

Why choose The Private Clinic for Varicose Vein Removal?

At the Private Clinic, we have over 40 years of experience providing the best and latest vein removal treatments and have treated over 7,000 patients concerned about their veins. We work with highly qualified consultant vascular surgeons who have extensive experience in their field.

At The Private Clinic, we provide:

• We can offer some of the least invasive methods for varicose veins and thread veins for your legs, body, and face.
• No lengthy downtime or recovery
• Our Consultant vascular surgeons are pioneers in EVLA(Endovenous Laser Ablation) and have treated thousands of patients.
• We focus on the underlying cause of your veins, and you will only see a Consultant Vascular surgeon for varicose veins.
• The NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) Gold Standard for treatment of Varicose Veins findings shows that the success rate after five years for EVLA is 95.4%.
• A consultation with one of our Consultant Vascular Surgeons costs £200, including a free ultrasound scan of your legs(usually priced between £350 and £450 at most clinics and private hospitals).
• Treatment takes an average 30-60 minutes; you can go home shortly after being treated.
• We have been featured in several TV shows and press including Harper’s Bazaar’s Cosmetic Tweakment Trends.
• We have been able to restore the confidence in many of our patients by avoiding health issues and achieving remarkable results.
• We work with our partnered finance provider ‘Chrysalis Finance’ to offer 0% finance* to our patients. Get in touch to find out more.

Helpful links

• View our extensive varicose vein FAQs
• See our previous varicose vein patient stories
• View varicose vein before and after photo results
• View our varicose veins blogs for more information
• Download our varicose vein treatment brochure

Consultant Vascular Surgeons at The Private Clinic

• Mr Constantinos Kyriakides, MD, FRCS (Gen), FRCS (Gen Surg). GMC Number: 3275436
• Mr Dynesh Rittoo, MBChB, FRCS (Eng), FRCS (Gen Surg). GMC Number: 3556456
• Mr Rajiv Pathak, MBBS, MS, FRCS (Gen), FRCS. GMC Number: 4585309
• Mr Tahir Hussain, MBBS, FRCS (Gen, Surg.), MS Masters in Surgery. GMC Number: 3242669

Get in touch

The Private Clinic offers varicose vein removal consultations at our clinics in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Northampton, Bournemouth and Leeds.

To find out more about varicose vein treatments or to book a leg vein appointment, please call 0333 920 2471 or use our online varicose vein contact form.