Vein Removal for the Face and Body
MicroSclerotherapy:
Questions and Answers:
What is Sclerotherapy? Sclerotherapy is a treatment of spider and varicose veins that involves the injection of a solution into a vein, which irritates the inside of the vessel wall, causing it to collapse and completely disappear. This procedure has been used to treat spider veins since the 1930’s and before that for larger vessels.
Are there other treatment methods?
There are no other methods that are nearly as effective as sclerotherapy. Thermocoagulation treatment is only effective for small veins on the face and occasionally for fine red blood vessels on the legs. It will not treat blue or purple veins.
How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments needed to clear or improve the condition differs from patient to patient. The two main determining factors are the extent of varicose and spider veins present and how each person individually responds to treatment. Typically, an area of veins needs to be re-injected 2-3 times in order for the vein to collapse.
What are spider veins?
Spider veins are like varicose veins but smaller. They are also closer to the surface of the skin than varicose veins. Often they are red, blue or purple. They can look like tree branches or spider webs with their short, jagged lines. They can be found on the legs and face and can cover either small or large areas of skin. The medical term for them is telangiectasia.
What causes spider veins?
Spider veins can be caused by hormonal changes, sun damage or local injury. They can also occur as a result of larger underlying varicose veins which are not always visible. It is important that spider veins are fully investigated using ultrasound to identify the incompetent valves within veins the cause varicose veins, as failure to treat these usually results in early recurrence of spider veins and a poor cosmetic outcome.
What is injection microsclerotherapy and how does it work?
Injection microsclerotherapy is a treatment for spider veins which involves injecting a chemical substance called “sclerosant” using fine needles. The sclerosant irritates the inner wall of the veins and causes them to become inflamed; the vein walls then stick together and the vein disappears.
The sclerosant used is sodium tetradecyl sulphate or “fibro-vein”, which has been used in the treatment of varicose and spider veins since 1946.
Am I suitable for Micro sclerotherapy?
Injection microsclerotherapy treatment is not suitable if a patient is/has: - Unable to walk for any reason.
- Currently taking oral contraceptives (Ideally this should be stopped one month before commencing treatment, as it could slightly increase the risk of a deep vein thrombosis).
- Currently pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Very overweight (obese).
- Experiencing acute inflammation with/or without blood clot formation (phlebitis/superficial thrombophlebitis) in the vein to be treated.
- A history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE).
- An allergy to the sclerosant (sodium tetradecyl suphate or “fibrovein”).
- An infection in the skin on the area to be treated.
- An infection throughout the body (systemic infection), such as a virus or a cold.
- Diabetes that is not well controlled.
- Significant heart disease.
- Significant peripheral arterial disease.
- Significant kidney disease.
- Varicose veins which require surgical/endovenous intervention.
- Varicose veins caused by pelvic/abdominal tumours.
- Currently on medication to thin the blood (e.g. Warfarin).
How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments needed depends on the size and extent of the veins. Several injections in to the veins of one or both legs can be performed at each session, however the amount of sclerosant that can be injected in a single treatment will limit the number of injections you can have. If only a small number of spider veins are to be treated, sometimes only two or three treatments will be adequate. More extensive or prominent varicose veins may require a series of treatment sessions in order to reach the desired result.
Our consultants recommend at least 2 treatments for an area of thread veins before any improvement can be seen. It is possible that you may only require one session of treatment; however this is all dependent on the number and severity of veins. It may take a number of repeat treatments before reaching your desired look
Your consultant will advise you on the number of treatments you are likely to need, however, You should expect to need further treatment in the future after your initial treatment which is from £395 per session, per leg. Any additional treatment you may need will be at a reduced cost from £350 per session, per leg.
How long does the treatment take?
Depending on the size of the area and number of veins to be treated, the treatment can take from 20 to 40 minutes. After keeping your legs elevated for 10 minutes, you will be able to go home after your treatment.
We advise that you leave 6 weeks between each treatment session in order for the results of each treatment to be clear.
Does it hurt?
The injections do tend to sting slightly but they are rarely painful, as only fine needles are used during the treatment. Some people do experience a burning sensation immediately after the treatment, but this usually only lasts a few seconds.
How quickly does the treatment work?
The treated areas may feel slightly sore and itchy for a few days. It is normal for there to be bruising at the injection sites; if you have had multiple injections the bruising can be extensive and may take several weeks to resolve. The veins themselves tend to appear worse and darker after treatment, but this will fade slowly.
It is not uncommon for the skin over the treated area to develop brown discolouration which can take from 6 weeks to over a year to fade. In rare cases, staining can be permanent.
What should I expect from the treatment?
Most patients are pleased with the overall results of microsclerotherapy. Approximately 80% of patients are pleased, 10% satisfied and 10% unhappy with the results of treatment. You should expect to need further treatment in the future after your initial treatment which is £395 per session, per leg. Any additional treatment you may need will be at a reduced cost of £350 per session, per leg
Is the treatment safe?
The procedure is carried out by our highly experienced and qualified practitioners. The sclerosant has been safely used for varicose and spider veins for many years. However, as with any medical treatment, it is not entirely without risk.
What are the potential risks or side effects?- Immediately after the treatment, you may experience slight swelling, redness and itchiness over the injection sites.
- Bruising is common and can be quite extensive, taking 3-4 weeks to resolve.
- Brown/reddish staining or discolouration can occur, and can persist even after the veins have disappeared. Although this staining tends to fade over time, it may not completely disappear. The staining generally becomes darker when exposed to sun light, so we advise that you avoid sun exposure unless a total sun block (SPF 50+) can be applied to the treated area.
- Some patients may develop a small painful lump at the site of an injected vein, particularly if a large vein has been treated. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. Brufen) may help to relieve these symptoms, in addition to wearing the compression stockings provided.
- Occasionally, a small ulcer may develop at the injection site as a result of the sclerosant leaking under the skin. This may be sore, take a few weeks to heal and may leave a small white scar.
- Generalised allergic reactions to the chemicals used during the injections can occur but are extremely rare.
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) associated with injection microsclerotherapy is rare.
Telangiectasia matting – This is a rare complication associated with microsclerotherapy treatments and describes the formation of new very fine spider veins. These veins typically arise on the inside of the knee and the outside of the thigh, and look different to original spider veins as they appear similar to a bluish or red bruise. These veins can develop several months after treatment, and often disappear without requiring further treatment within 6-12 months. If these veins do not go away, they may be treated by a particular type of laser treatment, which is offered at this clinic.
CONTRAINDICATONS
Injection microsclerotherapy treatment is not suitable if you have any of the following:- Unable to walk due to any cause.
- Currently taking oral contraceptives (Ideally this should be stopped one month before commencing treatment, as it could slightly increase the risk of a deep vein thrombosis).
- Currently pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Very overweight (obese).
- Experiencing acute inflammation with/or without blood clot formation (phlebitis/superficial thrombophlebitis) in the vein to be treated.
- A history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE).
- An allergy to the sclerosant (sodium tetradecyl suphate or “fibrovein”).
- An infection in the skin on the area to be treated.
- An infection throughout the body (systemic infection), such as a virus or a cold.
- Diabetes that is not well controlled.
- Significant heart disease.
- Significant peripheral arterial disease.
- Significant kidney disease.
- Varicose veins which require surgical/endovenous intervention.
- Varicose veins caused by pelvic/abdominal tumours.
- Currently on medication to thin the blood (e.g. Warfarin).
Pre and Post Treatment Instructions
Please ensure that you adhere to the following instructions in order to obtain optimum results from your injection microsclerotherapy treatment:
Pre -Treatment Instructions
Please do not use bath oils, lotions or creams on your leg(s) for 24 hours before your treatment.
Make sure that you have had something to eat and drink on the day of your treatment.
Please dress in loose clothing, jogging bottoms or a skirt and comfortable shoes when you come for your treatment.
Post- Treatment Instructions- Walk for at least five minutes several times a day or perform gentle exercise wherever possible. You will be advised to walk for 10 minutes immediately after your treatment to improve the flow of blood through your veins.
- Put your legs up (toes level with eyes) as much as possible for the first two weeks after your treatment.
- No strenuous exercise (e.g. aerobics, running, lifting weights etc.) for two weeks.
- Avoid waxing or shaving the treated area for two weeks.
- Avoid hot baths for two weeks following your treatment; it is advised that you shower rather than take a bath during this time. Avoid scrubbing the skin over the treated area, or applying shower gel or soap directly to this area.
- Do not apply body lotion or creams to the treated area for one week.
- Avoid sunbathing (including artificial tanning on a sunbed) or using a sauna for four weeks.
- Do not disturb, lift or pick any scabs that may form on the skin.
- Avoid flying for at least a week.
Treatment for the Face: Thermocoagulation
Do veins disappear straight away?
Typically yes, however, the amount of treatment you need is dependent upon the size, site and number of your veins. Your doctor will assess the level of treatment you can have in a single session, being mindful to balance the amount of treatment with the sensitivity of your skin. Following treatment, there may be some redness or slight irritation of the skin but normal activities can be resumed. It is commonly described as a walk in walk out procedure.
Is this laser treatment?
No, it uses less energy and is much more targeted. Thermocoagulation is a precise pulse technology which removes Spider veins quickly and effectively and is relatively pain-free. Over 30% of our patients have previously had an unsuccessful laser treatment and have been delighted to find that our clinic has delivered long-lasting results.
Is the treatment safe?
Yes, treatment for Spider vein removal is known as non-invasive and a treatment session typically takes up to 30 minutes. The microwaves from the Treatment device penetrate the tissue approximately 0.5-2mm at the most, which does not adversely affect the body.
Does the treatment hurt?
All patients have different pain thresholds, so what may seem painless for some may cause mild discomfort for others. Our patients have informed us that our thermocoagulation treatment is like having a hair pulled out, and is far less painful than laser or IPL treatments.
Some patients experience a small amount of inflammation around the treated area but this subsides reasonably quickly.
Can I wear makeup on the same day as receiving a Spider vein treatment? Please try to attend your appointments without makeup, although this can, of course, be removed once you arrive at the clinic. Ideally, you should not use makeup for the remainder of the day following facial Spider vein treatment. However, makeup can be applied the following day if necessary.
Consultation: We offer consultations to allow you the opportunity to meet with our qualified experts to discuss your area of concern and the treatment you are considering. You will be advised how the treatment works, the cost and what you can expect during the treatment and post treatment. Any possible risks involved will also be explained so that you can make an informed decision as to whether the treatment is right for you. Your suitability for the treatment will also be assessed and honest advice will be offered where it is professionally believed that you may not be a candidate for that treatment or perhaps where an alternative treatment may be better suited. Consultations are £100, redeemable with your treatment.
How much does the treatment cost?
Prices start from £100 for the face, and £250 for the body. Legs start from £395 and are reduced to £350 thereafter.
For legs, due to the nature of the solution injected, it is limited as to how much can be treated in each session. Your practitioner will advise you of this during your consultation prior to your treatment commencing.
How much does the treatment cost?
Prices start from £100 for the face, and £250 for the body. Legs start from £395 and are reduced to £350 thereafter.
For legs, due to the nature of the solution injected, it is limited as to how much can be treated in each session. Your practitioner will advise you of this during your consultation prior to your treatment commencing.
