Vein Incompetence – “Hidden Varicose Veins”

Varicose veins are commonly thought of as being lumpy, enlarged, blue/purplish veins on the legs. Those are clearly visible varicose veins, but just as many people again are thought to suffer from ‘hidden varicose veins’. 

Up to 40% of adults get ‘superficial valve failure’, where the blood flow becomes inefficient. About half of these have classic varicose veins and half have ‘hidden varicose veins’.

‘Hidden Varicose Veins’ is another term for a condition medically known as venous insufficiency or vein incompetence.

In this condition, the veins are inefficient just as with varicose veins, but the clear difference is aesthetic.

With hidden varicose veins, the flow of blood is inefficient but the pooling of blood will cause aching, heaviness and discomfort without visible veins. However, this inefficient blood flow is a clear indicator of risk of future full-blown varicose vein problems.

When varicose veins become visible there will be an ongoing process over time for the veins to become larger and more twisted/lumpy looking. Other ‘later stage’ symptoms include inflammation, eczema and ulcers.

Diagnosing Hidden Varicose Veins

The only way of properly diagnosing hidden varicose veins is with a scan to see what’s happening beneath the surface of the skin.

The London Vein Treatment Centre offer a duplex ultrasound scan which uses advanced technology to show the direction and speed of blood flow within the veins.

UK Varicose Vein Treatments

In the UK, EVLA is viewed as the gold-standards solution for varicose veins. EVLA stands for Endovenous Laser Ablation and the procedure uses laser to heat and damage difficult varicose veins so that they are destroyed.

Due to stringent NHS criteria for treating varicose veins and a tendency to offer traditional vein stripping rather than laser treatment, EVLA is more generally available for private patients.

At clinics such as Cosmedics’ London Vein Treatment Centre, EVLA is carried out on a day case basis and uses local anaesthetic. Recovery is very quick and patients are able to walk unaided to return home. There is no need for an overnight stay and patients can return to normal activities much faster.

Varicose Vein Treatment

Cosmedics Skin Clinics offer private varicose vein treatment including EVLA (endovenous laser ablation) laser varicose vein removal with a vascular surgeon with prices starting at £1,650 per leg (1 vein).

They also offer foam sclerotherapy and micro surgery in order to provide a tailor-made service with the most appropriate treatment for each individual.

Thread veins can be treated with sclerotherapy injections, micro cautery laser or Nd:Yag laser.

For more information or to book a consultation, please complete the form on this web page or call 020 7386 0464.