Microsclerotherapy

Thread veins are unsightly very small, abnormally dilated blood vessels. They are red/blue in colour and lie very close to the surface of the skin. Usually they cause no physical problems, occasionally they may cause discomfort and itching.

The causes are largely unknown, but experts agree:

• They are usually inherited
• Hormonal changes for example with pregnancy and HRT may increase their likelihood.
• Trauma/surgery to the legs can cause an eruption of thread veins.
• They become more prominent and numerous with increasing age.
• Is there anything I can do to stop these veins appearing?

Unfortunately if you have this tendency there is very little that can be done to stop them appearing. Compression stockings may slow the progression down, but it will not stop them completely. There is no clinical evidence that any homeopathic remedies will either remove or stop them appearing. Varicose veins and thread veins may be symptoms of an underlying problem. Whilst these symptoms can be treated there is no cure to prevent them occurring again in the future.

A full and thorough assessment by your sclerotherapy practitioner should involve a detailed discussion of the best treatment options for your legs.

During your initial consultation you should be assessed in a standing position, this enables the practitioner to fully assess your legs. This can be done by looking and feeling the legs.

The practitioner should at this time be able to tell you how many sessions you will need and their cost. This varies according to the quantity and type of veins requiring treatment. Most sessions take between ½ to 1 hour. You should budget for at least two treatments.

The results after one treatment vary considerably from one patient to another. Some veins may disappear completely whilst others may only fade and some remain unchanged. On completion of a successful treatment you can expect an improvement in the overall appearance of 60 – 80%. We hope that you will see enough improvement to increase your confidence in the way your legs look.

Your susceptibility to thread veins does mean that other thread veins may emerge over a period of time. In most cases, further treatments will be necessary. Some patients prefer to return each year whilst others may come back when more veins appear after a few years.

The injections are performed with you lying down. A solution is injected with a very tiny needle, superficially into the veins. This causes the lining of the vein to become sticky and swell. Compression is then applied to close the veins. Over a period of time the vein will heal closed, be absorbed into the body and fade away

Practice varies with each practitioner. Research has shown that ideally there should be some compression of the veins injected. This may be initially with cotton wool/dental rolls and then with a bandage or compression stocking. Length of time wearing compression again varies according to the size of veins treated and practitioners’ preference. Research suggests that the longer it is worn the better. Compression assists a better long term appearance and less side effects. We suggest at least 24 -72 hours of non stop compression and then for as long as possible just during the day. Initially if both legs are treated you will be unable to bath during this time, unless you can do so without making your stockings/bandages wet.

Depending on the solution used, sclerotherapy need not be painful. Occasionally. there may be a feeling of discomfort in some areas of the leg (this varies from person to person)

Small vessels will be absorbed by the body over a three month period and should not reappear. However it is likely that new ones will occur in a similar area. It is possible that larger veins can reopen over time and may need further treatment to close them again.

Prices from £250