McKeown Medical
167 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4SQ
Foam sclerotherapy is an advanced form of sclerotherapy used to treat larger varicose veins, particularly those that may not respond well to traditional liquid sclerotherapy.
Date posted — 17.09.24
Foam sclerotherapy is an advanced form of sclerotherapy used to treat larger varicose veins, particularly those that may not respond well to traditional liquid sclerotherapy. In this procedure, a sclerosant solution, which is typically used to irritate and close off veins, is mixed with air to create a foam.
This foam is then injected into the affected varicose vein. The foam displaces blood within the vein, allowing the sclerosant to come into more direct contact with the vein walls, which enhances its effectiveness. The foam’s thicker consistency enables it to stay in the vein longer, providing a more controlled and thorough treatment, particularly for larger or more complex varicose veins.
The benefits of foam sclerotherapy include its minimally invasive nature. It is performed as an outpatient procedure, typically under local anaesthetic, and requires little to no downtime, allowing patients to resume normal activities soon after treatment.
Foam sclerotherapy is also highly customisable; the concentration of the foam and the volume injected can be adjusted to suit the specific needs of the patient, making it a versatile option for treating a variety of varicose veins. While multiple sessions may be necessary to achieve optimal results, foam sclerotherapy is generally well-tolerated and offers a safe and effective alternative to more invasive treatments.
Dr Alex Vesey is our expert consultant vascular surgeon who heads up our varicose vein team. Listen to him explain the foam sclerotherapy treatment.
Foam sclerotherapy is best suited to the smaller veins just below the surface of the skin. Usually, however, varicose veins are caused by diseased vessels deeper in the leg.
Whilst foam sclerotherapy can be used to treat these deeper veins, it is associated with much higher rates of complications, and so to treat the deep veins, we typically perform either Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) or VenaSeal™ and reserve foam sclerotherapy for the more minor, superficial veins. For the best results, most patients will require a combination of RFA or VenaSeal™ to treat the deep veins with either foam sclerotherapy or microphlebectomy to treat the smaller, more superficial veins.
Foam sclerotherapy involves injecting a specially prepared foam sclerosant directly into the varicose veins to close them off and reduce their appearance and symptoms.
The procedure begins with the preparation of the foam, which is created by mixing a liquid sclerosant with air. Once the foam is ready, it is injected into the targeted vein using a fine needle. The foam fills the vein, displacing the blood and making direct contact with the vein walls. This contact causes irritation and inflammation within the vein, leading to its collapse and eventual absorption by the body.
The procedure is typically performed under local anaesthetic and typically takes around half an hour to perform, depending on the number and size of veins being treated. After the treatment, patients are usually advised to wear compression stockings to help the veins close properly and to aid in the healing process. Most patients can return to their normal activities immediately, though they may need to avoid strenuous exercise for a few days.
The success rate of foam sclerotherapy for treating varicose veins is generally high, with studies showing success rates ranging from 80% to 90%. This means that in the majority of cases, the treated veins successfully close off and are eventually absorbed by the body, leading to a significant reduction in the appearance and symptoms of varicose veins.
However, the success rate can vary depending on factors such as the size and severity of the varicose veins, the patient’s adherence to post-treatment care, such as wearing compression stockings and the patient’s own body’s response to the treatment. While foam sclerotherapy is highly effective, some patients may require multiple sessions to achieve optimal results, and there is a possibility of recurrence over time, which might necessitate additional treatments.
Foam sclerotherapy, while generally safe, can have some potential side effects. Common side effects include mild pain, swelling, and bruising at the injection site, which typically resolves within a few days to weeks. Some patients may experience itchiness or skin discolouration around the treated veins as the body absorbs the collapsed veins. Transient inflammation or redness along the vein path can also occur.
Less common but more serious side effects include deep vein thrombosis (DVT), where a blood clot forms in a deeper vein, which is a rare but significant risk. Allergic reactions to the sclerosant solution, though uncommon, may also occur. In very rare cases, ulceration or hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) may develop, particularly in areas where veins were treated. To minimise risks, it is important to follow post-treatment care instructions, such as wearing compression stockings and avoiding prolonged standing or strenuous activities.
Determining if foam sclerotherapy is the right treatment for your condition involves several factors. First, a thorough evaluation by an expert vascular surgeon is essential.
Your surgeon will first ask you questions about your medical history, family history, and lifestyle before performing a physical examination. They will then use an ultrasound scan to identify the anatomy of your veins. It is only with all of this information available that they can recommend the best course of treatment for your particular case. In our practice, we offer the full range of varicose vein treatments – including conservative measures, endovascular treatment with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or VenaSeal™, as well as – where appropriate – traditional surgery.
Every patient is unique, and our goal is to help match your health needs with the best treatment strategy for your particular condition. The first step is to fill in our online consultation form, and 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.
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that often appear just under the skin, primarily in the legs and feet.
Phlebectomy, or microphlebectomy, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to remove varicose veins.
When it comes to treating varicose veins, VenaSeal™ has emerged as a revolutionary option that offers a minimally invasive and...
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Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that often appear just under the skin, primarily in the legs and feet.
Phlebectomy, or microphlebectomy, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to remove varicose veins.
When it comes to treating varicose veins, VenaSeal™ has emerged as a revolutionary option that offers a minimally invasive and...
We’ve shown you lots of side profiles from the Quantum Lift, but what does it look like from the front?
This lovely patient is just four weeks after her procedure, and I think the front view really shows how much we can change while still keeping the face looking soft and natural.
As part of her Quantum Lift, we removed unwanted fat from beneath the chin and around the jowls. Rather than simply discarding that fat, we used some of it to restore volume to her chin and jawline, helping to replace some of the volume she had lost over time and bring back a little of the youthful softness to the lower face.
You’ll also notice a small amount of lumpiness beneath the chin. At four weeks, this is very common after liposuction in this area and is part of the healing process. She’s now using firmer massage to help soften this over the coming weeks, and we would expect the result to continue settling and refining.
Most importantly, she’s absolutely over the moon with the change, and we are too!
What do you think of the front view?
Once again, the combination treatment wins the day!
This patient came to us hating her neck and jowls, but she would not consider anything invasive. Treating the neck is always a challenge especially with non-invasive treatments only.
For this patient we first of all reduced the fat under the chin using CoolSculpting, then we did some hyaluronic acid under the mandible to define the jaw and finally we did some Sofwave to tighten the skin.
The patient is over the moon with her results. What do you think?
There is no single "best" facial rejuvenation treatment - only the treatment that`s right for the individual patient.
For patients with more advanced facial ageing, significant jowls and loose skin of the neck, a deep plane facelift remains the gold standard. In the right hands, it can achieve results that more significant than what we can do with less invasive treatments.
This is one of our recent patients following deep plane face and neck lift surgery, performed by the incredibly talented @bramhallplasticsurgery. It`s always a privilege to work alongside Russell and see the exceptional results he consistently achieves.
One of the things I`m most proud of at McKeown Medical is that we`re a genuinely multidisciplinary team. We don`t believe every patient needs fillers. We don`t believe every patient needs surgery either. We offer injectables, lasers, minimally invasive procedures like the Quantum Lift, and facelift surgery because different patients, at different stages of the ageing process, need different solutions.
Our job isn`t to sell you a procedure - its to help you choose the right one.
If you want to have a conversation about which option is right for you, you can send us some pics by PM.
#DeepPlaneFacelift #Facelift #NeckLift #FacialRejuvenation #PlasticSurgery #AestheticMedicine #NaturalResults #McKeownMedical #Glasgow #PlasticSurgeon
I genuinely think the Quantum Lift is changing what is possible for patients who want to improve their jawline and neck, but do not want to undergo facelift surgery.
I have used earlier generations of skin-tightening technology and, honestly, I was often underwhelmed by the results. This is different.
By combining precise power-assisted liposuction, targeted treatment of the neck muscle where needed, and QuantumRF skin tightening, we can address the three things that most commonly age the lower face and neck: muscle, fat and skin.
This patient is shown just 24 hours after treatment. There is still swelling to settle, but the early change in her jawline and neck contour is already clear.
I have also included clips from the procedure for anyone who likes seeing the technical side of what we do.
Would you consider a minimally invasive alternative to facelift surgery for your jawline or neck, or would you rather go straight to surgery?
And this is why we LOVE combination treatments in the clinic!
Different parts of the face age in different ways. And even different layers of the same part sometimes age differently, which is why we often need to combine treatments to achieve the best overall effect for each patient.
This lovely patient first underwent some laser resurfacing to her eyelid area to take away the lines and wrinkles and tighten the skin. Then we used some HA to blend the contour below the eye and cheek. Finally, we addressed the lower part of the face and neck with some Sofwave to tighten the skin and Sculptra to give her more connective tissue support.
She is over the moon with her improvement. What do you think?
The biggest mistake I see after weight loss? People choose a treatment before understanding what`s actually causing their loose skin.
Not all "loose skin" is the same, which is why the right treatment for one person can be completely wrong for another.
If you`ve lost weight and aren`t sure which option is right for you, the first step isn`t choosing a device. It`s getting the right diagnosis.
Looking for some advice? Send us a DM to get started.
The Quantum Lift!
We introduced this new technique only a few weeks ago and, well, it’s going even better than expected. This is one of our patients before and immediately after. I always warn my patients that I cannot give them a surgical facelift result with a procedure that doesn’t involve cutting but honestly, in this case, I think we got pretty close to a facelift result and closer than I was expecting.
First we remove some fat from under the chin and jawline before the quantum goes in to tighten the skin. I have included a picture of the neck after the we had removed fat from both sides, but only applied the quantum to her right side. You can see how much difference there is when I try to pinch the skin. In the non-treated skin I skin still pinch an inch (or two) but on the treated side there is very little to pinch, because the tissues have shrunk down so much.
The patient tolerated the procedure very well under simple local anaesthetic without sedation and we had a nice chat throughout. Afterwards she had a cup of tea and then went home with her husband half an hour later.
I have been very excited about The Quantum Lift for a while, but I’m only getting more excited the more I do. I really believe this is a massive step towards an effective way to rejuvenate the lower face and neck whilst avoiding traditional facelift scars.
Everyone knows we do lots of sophisticated facial work in the clinic. But did you know we also now do a lot of breast work too?
This is one of our patients who wanted breast augmentation. She specifically wanted more upper pole fullness so Kavita selected a 325cc high profile implant from Mentor, but placed them under the muscle to give a more natural take off. Mentor are considered the gold standard for breast implant quality and we only use their implants in the clinic.
The patient is just a few weeks post-op, so there is still a little bit of settling to go but she is already delighted with the shape and size. The key to breast surgery is listening to the patients concerns and then tailoring the procedure to get them the result they want - which is something the very fabulous Miss Kavita excels at.
What do you think?
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!