Vein Removal for Face & Body
There are two most effective ways to remove visible veins from the skin; sclerotherapy and thermocoagulation.
We offer BOTH vein removal options for our patients to ensure we can offer you the best treatment most suitable for you.
Sclerotherapy:
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.
Does Sclerotherapy work for everyone? The majority of persons who have sclerotherapy will be cleared of their varicosities; or at least see a 50-90% improvement. In very rare instances, a patient’s condition may become worse after sclerotherapy treatment, and develop a group of fine red blood vessels near the injection site of a larger vessel. However, even in those cases, 90% of those veins will disappear on their own, and some will go away with additional treatments.
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. We can also offer this treatment.
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 reinjected 2-3 times in order for the vein to collapse. Most patients come in for treatment every 1-3 weeks.
How do I prepare for my sclerotherapy session? We recommend that you wear loose fitting pants and avoid applying moisturizing creams to your legs on the day of your visit. It is not an issue if you are bruised or tan.
What should I expect during a sclerotherapy treatment? After your initial consultation, your treatment will begin. First your legs are cleaned with rubbing alcohol. Then with sterile disposable tiny needles we start to do the injections. Some patients experience an occasional slight burning sensation during the injections. When we finish doing the injections your legs will be cleaned off again and hydrocortisone cream will be applied to the area of treatment. This cream helps diminish any itching sensation and also helps decrease swelling and pain. Finally, your legs will be wrapped with ace-wraps to immediately help compress the veins so that they will disappear as quickly as possible.
Leg vein conditions may require Sclerotherapy whereby we carefully inject a saline solution into the veins, and light pressure dressings are applied; Sclerotherapy is tolerated very well by the vast majority of patients. For some patients, the treated area may appear red following a treatment, but our doctors will be able to advise at your appointment the period before this redness calms along with any other considerations. Our Spider vein treatments are 'walk-in walk-out procedures’.
What are the side effects of sclerotherapy? Bruises and red raised bumps at the injection site Depending on how you heal, these bruises and bumps will completely go away in 5-14 days. You may experience mild itching along the vein route. This itching can occur immediately after treatment and can be intermittent for 1-2 days. Few patients experience any pain after treatment. At times, the bruises or swelling can be tender to the touch. However, this all resolves in a few days. A low percentage of patients, more commonly with people with darker skin tones, might notice a discoloration of light brown markings where the veins once were. This pigmentation typically resolves within a few months. Ulceration is extremely rare and occur 1/10-15,000 injections. They are typically less than a centimeter in size and look like a cigarette burn. They can occur when some of the solution escapes into the surrounding skin or enters a tiny artery at the treatment site. These can be successfully treated. As with any medication, one can be allergic to the sclerosing agent. Severe reactions are extremely rare, but do need to be treated immediately.
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 £50, redeemable with your treatment.
How much does the treatment cost?
Prices start from £100 for the face, and £250 for the body.
Packages are available for multiple treatments.
How much does the treatment cost?
Prices start from £100 for the face, and £250 for the body.
Packages are available for multiple treatments.
