Facial Thread Veins Could Be Inherited

Facial thread veins can be a very troubling condition, lending an unhealthy appearance to the skin. 

External causes for the development of thread veins include excessive consumption of alcohol and overexposure to the sun, so the very appearance of thread veins can have unwelcome connotations.

Yet for many sufferers, the simple fact is that they were born with a genetic predisposition to thread veins. That means that they run in the family. So if your mother, father or grandparents suffered from thread veins, then it is more likely that you will too.

The good news is that thread veins can now be treated using a fast and pain-free laser. This is even suitable for delicate facial skin, sensitive skin and pale skin; so many clients who thought they may not be able to have laser treatment for thread veins could now benefit from this innovative treatment.

Nd:YAG laser can be used on a variety of facial thread vein issues including:

  • Spider veins
  • Tiny red or blue thread veins
  • Broken capillaries
  • Blood spots

Laser energy works beneath the skin’s surface, using a specifically set wavelength which seeks out colour contrast of the vascular problem within the surrounding skin. The laser heats the thread vein while leaving rest of the skin intact.

The heat destroys the problem veins and the blood simply flows through other, deeper and healthier vessels.

Skin is noticeably clearer after treatment.

Before and After Results

Laser thread vein treatment results at Cosmedics' London Vein Treatment Centre

Laser thread vein treatment results – facial spider vein removal

London Laser Vein Treatment

Cosmedics Skin Clinics offer the sophisticated Harmony XL Pro Laser treatment at their main London Vein Treatment Centres in Harley Street and Putney

As well as destroying the thread veins, the advanced laser energy also works to stimulate healing and cell renewal in the treated area for clearer-looking skin. It is a gentle and effective treatment for facial thread veins on the face.

Laser Vein Treatment

For larger thread veins (e.g. those on legs), microsclerotherapy injections are a popular option. The company also offer micro-cautery treatment.

All thread vein treatments are carried out by skilled and experienced doctors.

London Vein Treatment Centre

With the addition of the Harley Street clinic in 2018, Cosmedics Skin Clinics now offer thread vein removal treatment at two London Vein Treatment Centres.

4 Disraeli Road, Putney, London, SW15 2DS

41 Harley Street, London, W1G 8QH

For more information, please complete the form to the right hand side or call 020 7386 0464.

Runners Leg Problems – Varicose Veins

Running will do wonders for building up leg muscles, but some runners worry about whether repeatedly pounding the streets is creating varicose veins or make them worse, as many runners do exhibit noticeable lumpy and twisted veins. 

As a runner, there are a couple of very simple reasons why you may be noticing varicose veins more. Firstly, it’s likely that you’re wearing shorts more often, baring your legs and having the opportunity to see any blemishes that you may otherwise have missed. Secondly, if you are losing weight and developing muscle, this may cause the varicose veins to appear more prominently than they did. Thirdly, if you run with others, you may have naturally noticed how your legs compare to those of other runners.

Actually, running in itself is unlikely to cause varicose veins. In fact, exercise is good for your veins, as it boosts circulation, pumping the blood faster back to the heart. However, your leg veins do have to work against gravity to push the blood from your legs to the heart. So if there are any deficiencies in the valves within your blood vessels, even though exercise boosts circulation, the pressure on weak valves will increase with greater blood flow, which is why varicose veins can look more swollen while you are running.

Inherited Condition

The main cause of varicose veins is hereditary.

Varicose Vein Prevention Advice

If you know they run in your family, there are a few things that could help you to avoid getting varicose veins too:

  • General Varicose Vein Avoidance Tips
    • Weight management – making sure that you are not carrying excess weight relieves unnecessary strain on the veins in your legs. Keep a sensible diet and regular activity – running is great for this. You could also try swimming, walking, gym or other activities
    • Don’t cross legs while sitting – this can restrict circulation
    • Ankle rotations – these are great for boosting circulation in the legs. You can do them while sitting down and even under the desk, so there’s no excuse!
    • Hydration – making sure you drink enough water, especially when active, helps your body to perform at its best
  • Varicose Vein Avoidance Tips for Runners
    • Footwear – never run in trainers that do not have sufficient cushioning and support. Once trainers start to deteriorate, it puts added strain on your joints. Aches and pains can appear and injuries too. A general rule is to replace running shoes every 3-500 miles
    • Compression socks/shorts – these can help circulation while running, especially longer socks to push blood away from the calves
    • Stretching, warm up and cool down – start every run with a short walk to boost circulation and loosen everything off before you get going. After a run, ensure you stretch well to help the muscles and improve flexibility
    • Softer running surfaces – the pavement or road can be quite an impact on your legs. Softer surfaces like grass or tracks might help to absorb some of the shock
  • And finally…
    • Put your feet up – whether it’s at the end of a run or the end of the day – elevating your feet helps the legs to recover

Running with Varicose Veins

Sadly there is no exercise which can make varicose veins better, but there is little evidence that running in particular will make your veins worse. If you are a keen runner, then the advice above should be considered. But it’s rarely advisable to stop being active, as exercise is an important way of helping to prevent vein problems from developing and reducing the risk of deterioration.

Once the varicose veins have started, the only real solution for getting rid of them is a medical treatment.

Cosmedics’ London Vein Centre treated the patient’s varicose veins using the latest techniques. The clinic offers a range of treatments so we can recommend or even combine the most appropriate solution.

  • EVLA treatment from £1,650 – laser treatment to destroy the veins from the inside
  • Tumescent Foam Sclerotherapy – Exclusive EVLA with Foam Sclerotherapy Combination
  • ClariVein® treatment from £1,895 – a mechanical action combines with a special chemical to seal the vein
  • Micro surgery from £500 – most often used alongside other treatments, physically removing the troublesome veins after laser/injections
  • Foam sclerotherapy from £500 – a chemical injection which works to get rid of smaller varicose and larger thread veins

All treatments are available on a ‘walk in walk out’ day case basis with no overnight stay required, making it very appealing for busy patients with other commitments.

There are no waiting lists and scans are carried out on site in the first consultation to enable a fully informed discussion with the vascular surgeon. Treatment is fast and efficient.

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

London Vein Treatment Centre

Varicose & Thread Vein Treatment

Cosmedics Skin Clinics offer private treatment for thread veins  and varicose veins at their London Vein Treatment Centre. They also offer varicose vein ultrasound scanning for proper diagnosis of any ‘underlying’ vein problems.

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

Vein Treatment Clinics

Varicose Veins In Hot Weather

The weekend’s mega heatwave caused further misery for many patients with varicose veins as symptoms get worse in the heat.

Unfortunately, hot weather is known to make varicose veins worse. When the body is in a hot environment, it naturally tries to cool itself. One of the key ways it does this is by dilating blood veins and vessels in order to bring more blood to the surface of the skin so that it can be cooled, thereby bringing down body temperature. This explains why the skin can look red in a hot environment – it is simply the body’s way of trying to cool down.

However, for patients with varicose veins, the veins are already at a disadvantage, as they are not as efficient as they should be and allow blood to pool instead of being pushed quickly through the valves. When the veins expand, this pushes a larger amount of blood into the veins, increasing the pooling so that veins become more swollen than ever. The pressure increases too, which can lead to further damage to the veins.

Varicose Vein Symptoms

As well as the veins themselves worsening in hot weather, a heatwave can also exacerbate the accompanying symptoms.

  • Aching sensations increase as the amount of blood the vein is trying to pump is even greater, putting more pressure on the damaged veins
  • Cramping can also increase for the same reason
  • Swelling of ankles and feet is commonly worse during hot weather as the swelling of blood vessels causes more blood to pool

8 Self-Help Tips – Varicose Veins In The Heat

Simple measures to improve comfort of varicose veins in the hot weather are based around keeping the legs cool:

  1. Avoid the sun and heat as much as possible – stay indoors or in the shade
  2. Seek air conditioned environments or get a fan for indoors
  3. Use a cold flannel to cool the legs – just run a cloth under the cold tap, wring out and apply to your legs
  4. Have a cool shower and definitely avoid hot baths
  5. Drink plenty to keep well hydrated and help your body to manage its temperature
  6. Do stay active – gentle walks are a great way to boost circulation
  7. Avoid standing for long periods – put your feet up in an elevated position when resting to help blood to flow back up the legs and ease discomfort
  8. Consider compression stockings if symptoms are very bad

5 Varicose Vein Treatments

These self-help tips are designed to relieve the symptoms, but won’t unfortunately reverse the root cause i.e. varicose veins. The only way to get complete relief is to get rid of the varicose veins themselves. This is not as drastic as it might sound. The latest techniques are highly effective and available on a ‘walk in walk out’ basis at our London clinics with no general anaesthetic or overnight stay required. We offer a suite of options:

  1. EVLA (endovenous laser ablation) treatment from £1,650 – laser treatment to destroy the veins from the inside – the gold-standard solution for varicose veins
  2. Tumescent Foam Sclerotherapy – exclusively developed by our Vascular Surgeon, this combines EVLA with Foam Sclerotherapy
  3. ClariVein® treatment from £1,895 – a mechanical action combines with a special chemical to seal the vein for fast and effective relief
  4. Micro surgery from £500 – most often used alongside other treatments, physically removing the troublesome veins after laser/injections
  5. Foam sclerotherapy from £500 – injectable treatment which uses a special chemical to destroy the varicose vein

Cosmedics Skin Clinics

Established in 2003, Cosmedics Skin Clinics offer thread vein removal at a selection of clinics based in London using the latest techniques with GMC-registered doctors and surgeons.

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

Lifestyle Advice for Venous Leg Ulcers

As varicose veins get worse, one of the more common and unpleasant side-effects is the development of venous ulcers.

These are very troublesome for patients as they can be painful or itchy as well as unsightly.

The guidelines given by the NHS include lifestyle advice to improve overall health and quality of life.

Venous Ulcer Lifestyle Advice

NICE – National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Guidelines

The guidelines promote educating the patient about leg ulcers, explaining the rationale for treatment, as well as self-care strategies including:

  • Keep active – regular walking is recommended to exercise the calf muscle pump function
  • Raise the legs when not mobile
  • Avoid trauma (accidents)
  • Wear appropriate footwear which fits well
  • Use an emollient frequently to moisturise/hydrate the skin
  • Check regularly for broken skin, blisters, swelling, or redness
  • Healthy lifestyle to promote healing and prevent ulcer recurrence:
    • Lose weight (if appropriate)
    • Eat a balanced diet with good nutritional balance
    • Drink alcohol within recommended levels
    • Stop smoking
  • Compression bandages/stocking advice
    • Wear compressions stockings as advised – ideally for a minimum of 5 years
    • Lifelong use of compression stockings may be considered for recurrent venous leg ulcers
    • If there are problems with the compression garments, contact the district/tissue viability nurse for advice. Remove the compression if they cause numbness, tingling, pain, or dusky toes. Seek urgent medical advice if this occurs

For more information, please see the full NICE guidelines at https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/leg-ulcer-venous/#!scenario.

This also states:

“There is very little evidence on the effectiveness of self-care and lifestyle strategies on the healing and recurrence rates of venous leg ulcers. The recommendations are based on good clinical practice. Advice should be given in the context of improving the person’s overall health and quality of life.”

It can be demoralising to discover that the NICE guidelines offer advice on maintenance without hope of a cure or reversal of the condition.

Yet varicose vein removal could be a solution, as it gets to the root of the problem, destroying the inefficient varicose veins and improving the blood flow to the area through other healthier veins, allowing the skin and ulcers to move forward with healing and recovery.

Treating Varicose Veins

Varicose vein treatment on the NHS is restricted to a small number of very severe cases.

However, the latest advanced laser and chemical treatment options are available at Cosmedics’ London Vein Treatment Centres for private patients who are keen to get rid of varicose veins before they get worse.

Treatment is offered on a ‘walk in walk out’ basis with no overnight stay as only local anaesthetic is required.  The downtime and recovery are minimal, especially compared with the traditional ‘vein stripping’ which was most commonly carried out on the NHS. Success rates are significantly higher.

Options include:

  • ClariVein® treatment, where a mechanical action causes the vein to spasm and then a special chemical is delivered to seal the vein
  • EVLA treatment uses a laser to destroy the veins which are then broken down by the body’s metabolic processes
  • Foam sclerotherapy uses a chemical to get rid of smaller varicose and larger thread veins
  • Micro surgery is also available. This may be used alongside other treatments, removing the troublesome veins to minimise risk recurrence

London Vein Treatment Centre

Varicose & Thread Vein Treatment

Cosmedics Skin Clinics offer private treatment for thread veins  and varicose veins at their London Vein Treatment Centre. They also offer varicose vein ultrasound scanning for proper diagnosis of any ‘underlying’ vein problems.

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

Vein Treatment Clinics

Varicose Veins Removal Around The Knees

Before & After Results

Our latest before and after treatment results feature a male patient who had very prominent varicose veins around the knee area.

His varicose veins began above the knee and ran down the side of it ending around the mid-calf. The veins were getting progressively worse and were noticeable through clothing due to the very lumpy and swollen nature of the veins.

With summer approaching, the patient was keen to get rid of the veins, which he found looked ageing and also felt increasingly uncomfortable, making his legs feel heavy and achy.

Before & After Results Photos

before and after varicose vein treatment

 

The results after this patient’s treatment show:

  • Visible varicose veins have gone – no more lumpy, swollen, twisted veins
  • Patient benefits from immediately ‘lighter’ legs without the heaviness and aching associated with varicose veins
  • Legs look healthier and younger
  • No obvious scarring, bruising or other side-effects
Varicose Vein Treatment Results Photo Gallery

Cosmedics’ London Vein Centre treated the patient’s varicose veins using the latest techniques. The clinic offers a range of treatments so we can recommend or even combine the most appropriate solution.

  • EVLA treatment from £1,650 – laser treatment to destroy the veins from the inside
  • Tumescent Foam Sclerotherapy – Exclusive EVLA with Foam Sclerotherapy Combination
  • ClariVein® treatment from £1,895 – a mechanical action combines with a special chemical to seal the vein
  • Micro surgery from £500 – most often used alongside other treatments, physically removing the troublesome veins after laser/injections
  • Foam sclerotherapy from £500 – a chemical injection which works to get rid of smaller varicose and larger thread veins

All treatments are available on a ‘walk in walk out’ day case basis with no overnight stay required, making it very appealing for busy patients with other commitments.

There are no waiting lists and scans are carried out on site in the first consultation to enable a fully informed discussion with the vascular surgeon.

Treatment is fast and efficient.

London Vein Treatment Centre

Varicose & Thread Vein Treatment

Cosmedics Skin Clinics offer private treatment for thread veins  and varicose veins at their London Vein Treatment Centre. They also offer varicose vein ultrasound scanning for proper diagnosis of any ‘underlying’ vein problems.

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

Vein Treatment Clinics

Varicose Vein Treatment Market Set to Grow

A report on the varicose vein treatment market is projecting combined annual growth rate of 6.4% globally.

Future Market Insights looked at the global market for varicose vein treatments, estimating the markets current value (2016) at just over US $500m. By the end of 2026, the global market for varicose vein treatment is expected to reach  US $931.4m, which is equivalent to 6.4% a year over a 10 year period.

The growth in the treatments market is attributable to a number of trends, including the forecast ongoing increase in obesity rates, which will lead to more people suffering from varicose veins.

In addition, as clients become aware of treatment options and effectiveness, more are expected to demand the treatment to deal not only with the aesthetic aspect of varicose veins but also the physical discomfort, pain, itching, swelling, ulcers or venous eczema.

The latest treatments such as EVLA laser treatment, ClariVein or foam sclerotherapy meant that unpleasant varicose veins can now be dealt with far more quickly and effectively than in the past, with patients benefiting from ‘in clinic’ procedures with no overnight stay and high success rates which means there is no need to put up with them if private treatment is an option.

The report indicates a fast growth rate of 7.2% CAGR for specialist vein treatment clinics and highlights popular EVLA (endovenous laser treatment) which is expected to lead the treatments market as the most favoured procedure, accounting for over half of the value of the market US $500m by the end of 2026.

Source: http://www.factsweek.co.uk/2019/05/13/varicose-vein-treatment-market-is-projected-to-increase-at-a-cagr-of-6-4-by-2026/

London Varicose Vein Treatment Centre

Cosmedics’ London Vein Treatment Centres offer a convenient choice of locations for laser varicose vein removal with procedures offered in Putney and Harley Street vein treatment centres.

Both are equipped with high-tech solutions to get rid of the varicose veins and all are treated on a day case basis whereby patients are able to walk out and return home same day. There is no general anaesthetic, only a local, which also makes the procedure much more agreeable as well as ensuring it is comfortable throughout.

Varicose Vein Removal Treatments

A range of varicose vein treatments are available so that the right approach can be offered for each individual case. Our experienced Vascular Surgeon uses the latest laser and surgical techniques, all carried out by :

  • EVLA (endovenous laser ablation) treatment offers a 95% success rate. Cosmedics Skin Clinics offer EVLA treatment at their London vein treatment centre with a renowned vascular surgeon
  • ClariVein® is a treatment which combines a mechanical with a chemical action to seal
  • Foam sclerotherapy an injectable treatment for smaller varicose veins or larger thread veins
  • Micro surgery for physical, surgical removal of the affected vein where necessary

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

Vein Treatment Clinics

For more information, please complete the form to the right hand side or call 020 7386 0464.

EVLA One of 2019’s Biggest Cosmetic Surgery Trends

EVLA made the list of suggestions for the top 5 cosmetic surgery trends for 2019, proving that cosmetic surgery is not all about facial anti-ageing. 

In a feature published in Marie Claire, experts explained that varicose veins are very common and something that more and more people are wanting to address to look at their best; as the unsightly appearance of blue/purple lumpy and twisted veins can cause people to feel very self-conscious.

What is EVLA?

EVLA – which stands for Endovenous Laser Ablation – is a way of treating varicose veins under local anaesthetic using a precise laser which works within the vein to heat, destroy and seal off the problematic area.

The patient can leave the clinic on the same day as treatment, making it a very convenient option; as there is no need for a hospital stay at all.

Yet it is also very effective with success rates in excess of 95%. That is significantly better than those achieved with the traditional ‘vein stripping’ surgery which had longer recovery rates and a lower success rate in the long term.

Recovery from EVLA tends to be far more straightforward than following vein stripping – another appeal for the procedure.

So now EVLA offers a relatively uncomplicated way of getting rid of varicose veins before they get worse.

London Varicose Vein Removal

Cosmedics’ London Vein Treatment Centres offer a convenient choice of locations for laser varicose vein removal. The centres are equipped with high-tech solutions to get rid of the varicose veins and all are treated on a day case basis whereby patients are able to walk out and return home same day. There is no general anaesthetic, only a local, which also makes the procedure much more agreeable as well as ensuring it is comfortable throughout.

EVLA Before and After Results

varicose-vein-leg-before-and-after

Varicose Vein Removal Treatments

A range of varicose vein treatments are available so that the right approach can be offered for each individual case. Our experienced Vascular Surgeon uses the latest laser and surgical techniques, all carried out by :

  • EVLA (endovenous laser ablation) treatment offers a 95% success rate. Cosmedics Skin Clinics offer EVLA treatment at their London vein treatment centre with a renowned vascular surgeon
  • ClariVein® is a treatment which combines a mechanical with a chemical action to seal
  • Foam sclerotherapy an injectable treatment for smaller varicose veins or larger thread veins
  • Micro surgery for physical, surgical removal of the affected vein where necessary

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

Vein Treatment Clinics

For more information, please complete the form to the right hand side or call 020 7386 0464.

70% Brits Embarrassed to Bare Legs

A survey has revealed the high numbers of adults who are so self-conscious about their legs they’d rather cover them up in the summer, yet new ‘day case’ procedures are faster and more effective than generally understood. 

The survey of 1,000 adults by OnePoll found:

  • 70% will avoid wearing clothes that show their legs (e.g. shorts)
  • 44% will even cover up on holiday
  • 46% said varicose veins are the number one concern about how their legs look

Source: https://bdaily.co.uk/articles/2018/07/23/shorts-shrift-two-thirds-of-brits-ditch-summer-clothes-over-legs-shame

However, rather than covering up unsightly vein problems, there are now better options than ever for treating them.

Varicose vein treatments used to be an invasive ‘stripping’ procedure which was carried out by the NHS. It had a lengthy recovery and a the success rate was not high.

In comparison, the latest varicose vein treatments offered at Cosmedics’ London Vein Centre in Harley Street and Putney have a number of benefits:

  • ‘Day case’ surgery with no overnight stay
  • Walk in and out of clinic unaided
  • High success rates – EVLA has over 95% success rate at permanently removing varicose veins
  • Minimal downtime/recovery implications

Varicose Vein Treatment Options

Cosmedics’ London Vein Treatment Centre based in Harley Street and Putney offers a number of treatment options for private patients:

  • EVLA treatment from £1,650 – laser treatment to destroy the veins from the inside
  •  Tumescent Foam Sclerotherapy – Exclusive EVLA with Foam Sclerotherapy Combination
  • ClariVein® treatment from £1,895 – a mechanical action combines with a special chemical to seal the vein
  • Micro surgery from £500 – most often used alongside other treatments, physically removing the troublesome veins after laser/injections
  • Foam sclerotherapy from £500 – a chemical injection which works to get rid of smaller varicose and larger thread veins

London Vein Treatment Centre

Cosmedics Skin Clinics now offer thread vein removal treatment at two London Vein Treatment Centres.

  • 4 Disraeli Road, Putney, London, SW15 2DS
  • 41 Harley Street, London, W1G 8QH

For more information, please complete the form to the right hand side or call 020 7386 0464.

Tweakments Expert Advises IPL for Facial Thread Veins

The Daily Mail’s Beauty Clinic inbox this month looks at thread veins, as a reader asked for recommendations to get rid of thread veins on the cheeks. 

Author of The Tweakments Guide, Alice Hart-Davis, was asked to give her expert advice on whether any non-surgical treatments could provide a solution.

She suggested Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments.

The feature explains:

IPL is different from laser in that it works by emitting flashes of intense light that have more of a scattergun effect than laser, which is more concentrated and specific.

IPL can shatter brown or red pigments in the skin, which are then cleared by the lymphatic system – the body’s ‘dustman’. So it’s useful for clearing brown/age spots, also thread veins and can also help with redness of rosacea.

Alice warns that the treatment won’t last a lifetime

“…it’s not a permanent change as more pigmentation or redness or other thread veins will emerge over time, but it makes an impressive difference.”

Read in full at https://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-6808201/BEAUTY-CLINIC-Fading-thread-veins.html

The Tweakments Guide

The Tweakments Guide by Alice Hart-Davis is a comprehensive review of the non-surgical treatments available in the UK today. Launched in March 2019, it is currently #1 best seller in the beauty and fashion category on Amazon with a series of 5* reviews.

The website https://thetweakmentsguide.com/ also includes a listing of top practitioners https://thetweakmentsguide.com/practitioners/ including a profile for Dr Ross Perry, founder of the London Vein Centre, which reads:

“His specialist areas are non-surgical work with Botox, facial fillers, lip enhancements, skin care, leg thread veins sclerotherapy. With lasers, he treats vascular lesions, redness, pigmentation, melasma and offers skin rejuvenation and skin resurfacing.”

Read in full at https://thetweakmentsguide.com/practitioners/dr-ross-perry/

Laser Vein Treatment at London Vein Centre

Cosmedics Skin Clinics’ main London Vein Treatment Centres in Harley Street and Putney offer the sophisticated Harmony XL Pro Laser treatment, which uses Nd:YAG technology to target problem capillaries, vessels or veins with targeted laser energy. This damages the veins so that they shrink, shrivel up and then disappear. Laser energy also works to stimulate healing and cell renewal in the treated area for clearer-looking skin. It is a gentle and effective treatment for facial thread veins on the face.

Laser Vein Treatment

For larger thread veins, microsclerotherapy injections are a popular option. The company also offer micro-cautery treatment.

All thread vein treatments are carried out by skilled and experienced doctors.

Laser thread vein treatment – facial blood spot

London Vein Treatment Centre

With the addition of the Harley Street clinic in 2018, Cosmedics Skin Clinics now offer thread vein removal treatment at two London Vein Treatment Centres.

4 Disraeli Road, Putney, London, SW15 2DS

41 Harley Street, London, W1G 8QH

For more information, please complete the form to the right hand side or call 020 7386 0464.

Varicose Veins And The Risk of Blood Clots

As varicose veins are a blood circulation problem, patients may wonder whether there is an increased risk of blood clots. 

Some experts say that varicose veins are not especially likely to cause a blood clot, but there is now research that indicates the reverse and in fact, according to a report published in 2018, varicose veins may quintuple the risk of blood clots.

Varicose veins are caused by blood pooling instead of returning efficiently to the heart, due to inefficient veins. The pooling blood causes the vein to become more visible, lookin swollen, stretched, lumpy and deformed. As symptoms progress, varicose veins can be uncomfortable too.

However, researchers in Taiwan believe that varicose veins increase the risk of DVT (deep vein thrombosis).

Dr. Shyue-Luen Chang, a phlebologist in the department of dermatology at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taoyuan said:

“Varicose veins are not merely a cosmetic or symptomatic concern, because they may be associated with increasing risk of more serious disease.”

The exact relationship is not understood and Change said that more research was required to explore whether varicose veins cause the clots or are a risk for them.

Dr. Maja Zaric, interventional cardiologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, responded to the research saying:

“Given the very high prevalence of varicose veins in the general population worldwide, the results of this trial should trigger future studies to further investigate the effect of varicose veins on the inflammation and formation of a blood clot, and to assess the link between the severity of varicose veins and DVT.”

This may lead to earlier or more widespread treatment of varicose veins, which are often dismissed as a ‘cosmetic’ problem. A link between varicose veins and blood clots would potentially lead to more aggressive treatment to prevent complications.

Meanwhile in the UK, NHS treatment for varicose veins means that only the most serious cases are considered for surgery.

See NHS Varicose Vein Removal Cutbacks for more information.

Varicose Veins

Private Varicose Vein Removal

Many patients are now choosing the private sector for varicose vein treatment, where the latest treatment options are available with short waiting lists.

Cosmedics’ London Vein Treatment Centres offers a completely different experience, with high-tech solutions to get rid of the varicose veins on a day case basis. There is no need for a hospital stay – these procedures are carried out in clinic and patients are able to walk out and return home same day. There is no general anaesthetic, only a local, which also makes the procedure much more agreeable.

Varicose Vein Removal Treatments

We offer a range of varicose vein treatments using the latest laser and surgical techniques, all carried out by our experienced Vascular Surgeon on a ‘walk in walk out’ basis with no overnight stay and no general anaesthetic:

  • EVLA (endovenous laser ablation) treatment offers a 95% success rate. Cosmedics Skin Clinics offer EVLA treatment at their London vein treatment centre with a renowned vascular surgeon
  • ClariVein® is a treatment which combines a mechanical with a chemical action to seal
  • Foam sclerotherapy an injectable treatment for smaller varicose veins or larger thread veins
  • Micro surgery for physical, surgical removal of the affected vein where necessary

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

Vein Treatment Clinics