When is the best time to treat varicose veins?

We explore varicose vein treatments and the best time of year to have them performed.

Winter Varicose Vein Treatment

Winter is a time when it’s normal to cover our least favourite body parts without anyone wondering why. But, at The Private Clinic, we don’t believe this is how you should feel.

Confidence and making you feel more like yourself is what we’re all about and sometimes the colder seasons can be a time to address this, rather than hiding away.

If you’re considering Varicose Vein treatment, it’s normally when the summer sun and holidays beckon that we decide to take action. However, having treatment during the colder months can actually be beneficial. Even when working with the most minimally-invasive, effective treatments on the market, recovery time is still important and should always be a consideration. Time out of the sun and an opportunity to cover healing areas can be really beneficial to help you get the best results from your varicose vein treatment.

Spring Varicose Vein Treatment

Spring is an ideal time to have varicose vein treatment if you are keen for your legs to be healed in time for the summer months. A spring varicose vein treatment is great for anyone who is planning on lots of travel and time spent in the sun in the summer months.

Summer Varicose Vein Treatment

Summer can also be a great time to have varicose veins treated. Your legs are more visible due to the type of clothing that is worn in warmer months meaning your leg veins are often prominent in your mind.

Our varicose vein treatments have minimal downtime so you won’t be out of action for too long and able to get out and about with friends and family as normal.

One note to consider when you are looking at getting varicose vein treatment in the summer is that the results can take some time, and bruising and redness may still be visible in the weeks following treatment. Some treatments do also require you to wear compression stockings for 2 weeks which could limit your outfit choices and become uncomfortable in hotter weather. We do also advise that patients avoid sun exposure for at least two weeks and take care in the sun in the months following as skin will be more sensitive.

Autumn Varicose Vein Treatment

Autumn is one of the best times for Varicose Vein treatment. It allows patients to recover fully in time ready for the Spring/Summer months of the following year. Depending on the weather, patients can often choose to cover up their legs or have them out still depending on what is more comfortable following treatment. If required to wear compression stockings, this is usually a good time of the year to do this without feeling overheated or too restricted with multiple layers.

Types of Varicose Vein Treatments available

EVLA Vein Treatment

EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation) treatment is one of the most popular choices for those looking to get rid of Varicose Veins. It is the recommended Gold Standard according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). The treatment is minimally-invasive and uses laser light energy to collapse damaged veins. Swelling and bruising is common in the weeks following treatment. You will also need to wear stockings and bandages during your recovery.

RFA Vein Treatment

RFA (Radiofrequency Ablation) treatment is similar to EVLA and is also recommended by NICE. The treatment uses thermal heat energy to damage the varicose vein walls. This causes the collagen within the vein wall to shrink which prevents blood from flowing through the vein. The treatment is a tried-and-tested minimally invasive treatment that is noted for being low-risk and safe. It also boasts effective results after 4-6 weeks of recovery.

VenaSeal Vein Treatment

VenaSeal is a closure system that uses medical adhesive to close varicose veins. Local anaesthetic will be used to numb the area and then a small catheter is inserted. An ultrasound is then used to guide the catheter through the veins. Small amounts of medical grade Sapheon Glue is dispensed into the vein that effectively closes the vein. This allows it to then naturally be absorbed in the body. VenaSeal is a great option for patients who have a needle phobia as it only requires a single injection per vein. Most patients are not required to wear compression stockings after treatment and are able to return to daily activities such as work and exercise a lot sooner.

Foam Sclerotherapy Vein Treatment

Foam Sclerotherapy is commonly used for very small veins. In the treatment a chemical is injected into any damaged veins to cause their walls to collapse. Like EVLA, while the treatment is minimally invasive, bruising can last a few weeks (sometimes even a couple of months) to thoroughly disappear. If you’re planning a holiday or an event with your legs on show, it is therefore recommended to leave enough time beforehand for the appearance to improve. Sun exposure should also be kept to a minimum following treatment.

Phlebectomy Vein Treatment

A minimally invasive Phlebectomy procedure is performed under local anaesthesia. It involves removing the varicose veins via small incisions. The vein is instantly removed from the leg and due to the small incisions, no stitches are required. You will be advised to wear compression stockings post-procedure to promote healing and increase blood flow to the area.Most patients are back to everyday activities within a couple of days after the procedure.

At The Private Clinic we don’t use vein stripping as a removal technique, in accordance with NICE guidelines.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Regardless of the treatment, you’re undertaking, one of the most important things to think about during recovery is if you have a flight planned. Flying is a known cause of Deep Vein Thrombosis., also known as DVT.

Deep vein thrombosis is a condition caused by a blood clot in the deep veins. It occurs when blood flows too slowly and blocks up the veins. DVT has been linked strongly to travelling, particularly on long-haul flights. The risk of it occurring is even greater after any form of surgery, with a likelihood of around 1 in 1,000. It is for this reason we normally recommend against flying for anything from 3 days to a few weeks, depending on your individual case and how long your flight will be.

Varicose Vein Treatment Before and After Photo Results

Click here to see more Varicose Vein treatment results.

Will I need to wear compression stockings?

In the majority of cases, we always recommend wearing compression stockings following varicose vein removal surgery. They’re designed to help increase blood circulation and work by steadily squeezing your legs from the ankle upward, loosening gradually. They act to ease swelling, pain and discomfort. After Sclerotherapy, the slight pressure helps keeps the walls of the treated veins close to each other, making it easier for your body to break them down. Without them, the veins might fill back up with blood, making the procedure far less effective.

There are different sizes and pressures available, but keep in mind that getting the fitting right is essential for the stockings to be effective. You will be provided with compression stockings following your varicose vein procedure and your surgeon will advise you on how long you will have to wear them for.

Because of their tightness and length, compression stockings can get somewhat uncomfortable during hotter weather, which is why wearing them in the cooler winter months is often preferred. Plus, the layered styles of the season mean that the stockings can easily be disguised under clothing, with the added advantage of keeping you warm. Best of all, by the time people start flashing their legs again, any swelling or bruising will have disappeared and you’ll be able to strut around confidently once more.

Summary

Overall, there is no definitive best time to get varicose vein treatment. The best time for treatment will depend on your own lifestyle and what plans you have. If you have lots of plans for travel in the summer, then it may be best to wait for a quieter time in the Autumn or Winter to seek treatment. If you are looking to get treatment ahead of a special occasion or event, then take care to consider the full recovery time to ensure your legs are looking their best at the time.

Treatment should always be something you take seriously and any medical professional you work with should make that clear. Our expert surgeons will be able to help you decide when is best for you to have varicose vein treatment.

At The Private Clinic, we include a free duplex ultrasound scan (worth £350) with every vein consultation. We want to understand what’s causing your vein problem and make sure we solve it.

Why choose The Private Clinic for Varicose Vein Removal?

• The least invasive methods for varicose veins and thread veins removal treatment for your legs, body and face.
• Our Consultant vascular surgeons are pioneers in EVLA(Endovenous Laser Ablation) and have treated thousands of patients.
• No lengthy downtime or recovery required.
• The NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) Gold Standard for treatment of Varicose Veins findings show 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).
• We focus on the underlying cause of your veins and you will only see a Consultant Vascular surgeon for varicose veins.
• We have treated thousands of patients who have regained their confidence whilst avoiding health issues.
• Treatment takes one hour, you can go home shortly after being treated.
• Owing to our success, we have been featured on Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies , TLC’s My Naked Secret and featured in Harper’s Bazaar’s Cosmetic Tweakment Trends for 2019.
• View our varicose vein before and after photos.
• Read our extensive varicose vein FAQs.
• Take a look at our varicose vein patient stories.
• Find out more in our varicose vein blogs.
• Download our varicose veins treatment brochure

Varicose Veins consultations are available in London, Birmingham, Bucks, Manchester, Leeds, Bournemouth, and Northampton with one of our expert vascular surgeons.

Expert Vascular Surgeons

• Mr Constantinos Kyriakides, MD, FRCS(Gen). GMC 3275436
• Mr Dynesh Rittoo, MBChB, FRCS(Eng), FRCS(Gen Surg). GMC 3556456
• Mr Charles Ranaboldo, BM, FRCS, MS. GMC Number: 2939195
• Mr Tahir Hussain, MBBS, MS, FRCS. GMC Number: 3242669
• Mr Rajiv Pathak, MBBS, MS, FRCS, FRCS(Gen). GMC Number: 4585309
• Mr Ferdinand Serracino-Inglott, MD, FRCSI, FRCS(Gen), DIC MSc. GMC Number: 5206200
• Mr Duncan Parry, MBChB, MD, FRCS, PG Cert Medical Ultrasound, PG Cert Medical Research, GMC Number: 4037844

To find out more about varicose vein treatments at The Private Clinic or to book a consultation, please call 0333 920 2471 or use our Varicose Vein online contact form.