McKeown Medical
167 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4SQ
Exploring different treatments to get rid of varicose veins
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that often appear just under the skin, primarily in the legs and feet.
Published by Dr Alex Vesey
Date posted — 7.10.24
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that often appear just under the skin, primarily in the legs and feet. They can be blue, purple, or flesh-coloured and are often raised, giving a bumpy or rope-like appearance on the skin’s surface. These veins develop when the valves in the veins that regulate blood flow become weakened or damaged, causing blood to pool and the veins to enlarge.
While varicose veins are generally more common in older adults, women, and those with a family history of the condition, factors such as prolonged standing, obesity, and pregnancy can increase the risk.
What are the symptoms of varicose veins?
The symptoms of varicose veins can range from mild to severe. Some people may experience aching, heaviness, or cramping in the legs, particularly after standing or sitting for extended periods. The affected area might also feel itchy or develop a burning sensation.
In more severe cases, varicose veins can lead to swelling, throbbing, and even skin changes, such as discolouration or the development of ulcers near the ankles. The condition is not only a cosmetic concern but can also cause discomfort and, in some cases, lead to more serious circulatory problems.
Best treatment to get rid of varicose veins
The best treatment options for varicose veins depend on the severity of the condition, the symptoms experienced and the anatomy of the problematic veins. A detailed clinical review by an expert vascular surgeon, along with a detailed ultrasound scan, will delineate the optimal treatment.
For mild cases, lifestyle changes can be effective in managing symptoms. These include regular exercise to improve circulation, elevating the legs when resting, and wearing compression stockings, which help to reduce swelling and discomfort by improving blood flow in the affected veins. Weight management and avoiding prolonged periods of standing or sitting can also alleviate symptoms and prevent the condition from worsening.
For more severe cases or when lifestyle changes are insufficient, medical treatments may be necessary. Sclerotherapy is a common procedure where a solution is injected into the varicose veins, causing them to collapse and eventually fade. This is most suitable for smaller veins just below the surface of the skin.
The next level of treatment is endovenous treatment, which means operating inside the problematic veins to cause them to collapse. Traditionally, this has been done using either laser or radiofrequency energy to close the affected blood vessels down.
More recently, the VenaSeal™ procedure has been introduced. This is an even less invasive option which uses a special glue to close the veins down.
In cases where these treatments are ineffective or unsuitable, invasive surgical options like vein stripping or phlebectomy may be recommended to remove or tie off the affected veins.
Consulting with an expert vascular surgeon is essential to determine the most appropriate treatment plan based on your individual needs and the severity of your condition.
Expert Video
Dr Alex Vesey is our expert consultant vascular surgeon who heads up our varicose vein team. Listen to him explain your options for varicose vein treatment.
Treatment to get rid of varicose veins on the legs
Varicose veins can theoretically happen anywhere on the body but most commonly affect the veins on the legs. Several treatments are available to target and remove varicose veins in the legs specifically.
Endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) and Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are minimally invasive procedures that remain very popular because they avoid the need for traditional surgery. Both procedures are performed under local anaesthetic and involve inserting a thin tube inside the vein and destroying the vein by delivering heat to close the vein down. Both of these treatments offer a high success rate with less discomfort and scarring than traditional surgery.
The newer VenaSeal™ procedure causes even less discomfort by closing the vein using glue rather than heat. This allows patients an even more rapid return to normal activities without the need to wear compression stockings.
For veins that are not suitable for these treatments, sclerotherapy is a widely used option, especially for smaller varicose veins or spider veins in the legs. During sclerotherapy, a solution is injected directly into the vein, causing it to collapse and gradually be absorbed by the body. Multiple sessions may be required depending on the extent of the varicose veins.
An alternative treatment for smaller veins is a minor surgical procedure called microphlebectomy. This involves making tiny incisions under local anaesthetic to remove problematic veins. While slightly more invasive than sclerotherapy injections, microphlebectomy can be very effective because it physically removes the vessels, which means they cannot come back.
Consulting with an expert vascular surgeon is essential to choosing the most appropriate treatment based on the specific characteristics of the varicose veins in the legs.
Treatment to get rid of spider veins
Spider veins are small, web-like veins often associated with varicose veins. To treat these, several effective treatment options are available.
Sclerotherapy is the most common and widely used method. In this procedure, a solution is injected directly into the spider veins, causing them to collapse and fade over time. The body gradually absorbs the treated veins, leading to an improved appearance. Sclerotherapy is minimally invasive, typically requires no anaesthetic, and can be done in the outpatient clinic. Multiple sessions may be needed depending on the size and number of spider veins.
Another popular treatment for spider veins is laser therapy. This approach uses focused light energy to target and heat the affected veins, causing them to collapse and eventually disappear. Laser therapy is particularly effective for small, delicate veins that may not be suitable for sclerotherapy. The treatment is non-invasive, and while some patients may experience mild discomfort during the procedure, it generally requires no downtime. In addition to these treatments, maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, such as regular exercise, weight management, and avoiding prolonged periods of standing, can help prevent the development or worsening of spider veins.
Interested in treating varicose veins?
If you’d like to find out which varicose veins treatment is the right treatment for you, the first step is to fill out our online consultation form. From there, our team will be able to arrange an initial consultation and ultrasound scan, and we can work together to create a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs.
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The SMAS Facelift is back at McKeown Medical!�
Patients tell us all the time that they want to get rid of their jowls and facial sagging, but are hesitant about a lengthy surgical procedure or taking several weeks away from work and social commitments. The SMAS Facelift is an excellent alternative for patients who want meaningful improvement without the bigger commitment. �
It`s a technique that lifts and repositions the deeper tissues of the face while removing excess skin. Until Deep Plane became more popular in the last 10 years, SMAS was the gold standard. Compared with Deep Plane, it takes about 3 hours instead of 6-8, can be done under local anaesthetic, has a shorter recovery, and lower risk of nerve injury. For many patients with moderate facial ageing, it produces excellent, long-lasting results at £12,000, all performed by the phenomenal @bramhallplasticsurgery.�
This is one of our patients who had a SMAS Facelift with eyelid surgery five years ago. She`s maintained her results with HA fillers, like many of our surgical patients do, but otherwise her results are still going strong. That`s what SMAS can give you.
Every face ages differently and every patient has different circumstances. Some need the extensive correction of Deep Plane, especially if they have a heavy neck. Others are better suited to SMAS, particularly if you want a less invasive option with quicker recovery.
The right choice depends on your anatomy, your concerns, and your lifestyle. If you’d like to know more about the SMAS facelift, drop your questions in the comments or send us a DM!
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Thank you to this lovely patient for allowing us to share her upper blepharoplasty results, by the phenomenal @bramhallplasticsurgery .
This patient is 62 and came to us feeling self-conscious about the heaviness and puffiness of her upper eyelids. She`d found herself regularly raising her eyebrows just to lift the skin away from her eyes and had noticed a shadow appearing when she looked upwards and outwards, which was beginning to affect her peripheral vision.
Heavy upper eyelids can really knock people`s confidence, especially in social situations and in photos, and yet it`s one of the most straightforward areas to address.
The procedure itself takes around 45–60 minutes and is carried out while patients are awake under local anaesthetic. The scars sit within the natural crease of the eyelid, making them almost impossible to spot once healed
This is just 2.5 months post-surgery, and her scars are already settling beautifully. They`ll continue to fade over the next 12 months.
What do you think?
Yesterday was a big day in the clinic! We officially launched the game changing Quantum RF technology in the clinic. Quantum allows us to take liposuction to another level. We’ve got power assisted lipo which allows us to sculpt more, we’ve got ultrasound assisted lipo which allows us to melt the fat for more gentle removal. Now we’ve got quantum that allows us to follow this up with a treatment to shrink the skin down. It means patients who may previously have needed excisional surgery - like tummy tuck, or arm lift or thigh lift or even facelift - can be successfully treated without long scars. This is truly game changing technology and we are so excited to be the first in Scotland to introduce it. Can you guess who our first patient was? 👀
Here`s a wee update on this lovely patient who is now further along in her Regenerative Facelift journey.
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She`s looking fresher and is absolutely delighted. What do you think?
And if you`ve been thinking about a non-surgical approach to facial rejuvenation, what questions do you have? Drop them below.
Thank you to this lovely patient for allowing us to share her results!
The deep plane face and neck lift is one of the most technically challenging procedures in plastic surgery. It takes 6-8 hours of painstaking dissection to carefully release the retaining ligaments of the face so the face can be properly lifted and repositioned, rather than simply pulled tighter around the edges.
Few surgeons have the technical skill to pull this off - and we are very proud of @bramhallplasticsurgery for being one of them. It’s a challenging procedure to get right, but when the results are this good, it’s definitely worth it!
What do you think?
Thank you to this lovely patient for allowing us to share her results.
Varicose veins are something we see a lot of in the clinic, and they can have a real impact beyond how they simply look - aching, heaviness and discomfort are common reasons for patients deciding to come and get them fixed. Now that summer is approaching, this our peak time of year for patients coming to look for a fix.
This patient was treated by the wonderful Dr Alex Vesey using a combination of Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) and microphlebectomy. RFA works by delivering targeted heat energy to close off the affected vein from the inside, while microphlebectomy allows the smaller surface veins to be removed through tiny incisions. Together, they address both the underlying cause and the visible result. Both procedures are done under local anaesthetic, which means you can get up and walk out immediately after surgery.
The patient is absolutely delighted with her outcome. What do you think?
Hey everyone! We’ve had loads of people messaging asking about the Quantum Lift and I wanted to make this video to give you so more details.
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Let us know what you think in the comments below. And if you have any questions, send a pic by DM or email and we can give you an opinion 😍
Quantum Liposuction! I am SUPER excited to let you know we will be the first in Scotland to offer what is now regarded internationally as the new gold standard technique in liposuction.
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Let us know what you think in the comments below!
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When you first make contact with us you will be assigned your own personal Patient Relationship Manager. They’ll start by understanding your needs and liaising with our doctors to book you an appointment with the most suitable specialist. For any additional questions or needs, you can message or call them anytime and they’ll be delighted to assist you. Our entire team is dedicated to providing you with the best possible treatment and care tailored to your needs.
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