TREATMENT OVERVIEW
Leg veins, also known as varicose, spider and thread veins are incredibly common and can be unsightly and often produce a dull aching of the legs after prolonged standing. If their presence is distressing, they can be treated at Wimpole Aesthetics by injection of a solution that will cause them to disappear, or at least become much smaller.
Dilated blood vessels have a red or blue or purple colour and appear on the surface of the body, particularly the legs. On the face and upper body their character is slightly different to those on the lower body, as are their causes
Exactly why some leg veins become dilated in this way is not known, except that in many cases they seem to run in families. Surface veins occur in both men and women, but much more frequently in women. The hormone oestrogen may play a role in their development. They may also occur after a blow to a certain area of the body or as a result of wearing tight girdles or hosiery held up by tight bands.
There is no proven method of preventing leg veins. Wearing support stockings may prevent some dilated blood vessels from developing in some people and maintaining a normal weight and regular exercise may also be helpful.
In the majority of cases, a procedure called sclerotherapy is used to treat these blood vessels, in which a solution called a sclerosant is injected, using a very fine needle, directly into the blood vessel. This procedure has been used in various forms for veins since the 1920s.
The solution irritates the lining of the vessel, causing it to swell and stick together. Some vessels will fade from view, eventually becoming barely or not at all visible. A few vessels will need a second treatment, and a few will not be accessible for injection at any given treatment session because they will have been covered by the tape used to pressurise other veins treated during that session.
Depending on its size, a single blood vessel may have to be injected more than once, but in any one treatment session a number of vessels may be injected. The destroyed veins are safely absorbed by the body so this is a permanent treatment although it doesn’t stop other veins becoming affected in the future.
Are there any side effects to leg vein treatments?
Most of the side effects are minor and confined to the area which has been treated. Your doctor will give you a more detailed explanation of all possible side effects before the commencement of your treatment.
Will the veins reoccur?
The veins treated adequately by sclerotherapy will not reoccur, unless they are extremely large before treatment. However, the underlying weakness in the vein walls is not corrected, and therefore new vessels will possibly continue to appear at the same rate as before treatment.
Is there any downtime after a leg vein treatment?
Generally, you will be required to wear some form of support or pressure garment for a period of time, usually two weeks. Failure to do this may compromise the effectiveness of the treatment, so the inconvenience of a compression garment should be factored in to the timing of your appointment. You should also be able to do regular walking after your treatment, as this promotes the emptying of the leg veins, including the ones treated.
How much does leg vein treatment cost?
Initial consultation £100
First treatment costs £200 – £400
Each subsequent treatment £200 – £300
1 pair of medical compression hosiery is included in the treatment cost. Further pairs may be purchased from us if desired.
At Wimpole Aesthetics, we provide a wide variety of medical treatments and non-surgical rejuvenating procedures in the field of anti-ageing and aesthetic medicine. Our medical director Dr Joshua Berkowitz stays abreast of the latest developments in this field, but always ensures that any treatment we offer can deliver safe and effective results.
We love to hear our patients tell us that we have the feel of a local clinic right in the heart of London’s medical district.
YOUR STEP BY STEP PROCESS
1. GET IN TOUCH
If you’ve been considering an aesthetic treatment to rejuvenate your skin or reshape your body, then the first step is to get in touch with the clinic to arrange a consultation with our medical director Dr Joshua Berkowitz or one of his team, depending on your requirements.
Call us on 0207 224 2247 or email us on info@wimpoleaesthetics.co.uk to arrange your consultation.
2. AT THE CLINIC
The consultation is an essential part of the patient journey as it gives us the opportunity to discuss your objectives and the outcome you’re hoping to achieve. We will talk you through the procedure or treatment plan, clearly explain any possible risks and the results you can expect, as well as answer all of your questions.
3. YOUR TREATMENT
Procedures at Wimpole Aesthetics are carried out under the direction of our medical director Dr Joshua Berkowitz and his team. We aim to deliver practical, safe and effective medical aesthetic alternatives to cosmetic surgery whilst always respecting a patient’s privacy, dignity and confidentiality.
4. POST TREATMENT
Our care and support continues after you leave the clinic. You are provided with comprehensive aftercare advice appropriate to the treatment you have received and we welcome patients getting in touch if they have any questions regarding their experience and results.
