The Beauty Society

Modern Varicose Veins Treatment was founded by NHS consultant surgeon, Dr Peter Rutter. He has been caring for people with vein and vascular problems for over twenty years and through this experience he offers sound advice and modern, effective treatments. Dr Rutter and his friendly team provide a professional service ensuring each patients journey through treatment is a successful and comfortable experience.

Many people suffer from problems within the veins of the legs. The two different types of vein in the legs that often cause problems are the small veins in the skin (1mm diameter) called thread veins and the larger, lumpy and irregularly shaped veins called varicose veins.

Thread Veins

The cause of thread veins is due to a weakening of the wall in the tiny veins in the skin. These veins become visible and can be painful after standing for a short period. However, the problem is only in the skin therefore they can be treated quickly and effectively.
Treatment is performed as an outpatient procedure where the veins are dissolved with either a liquid foam injection or laser. Treatment takes under 30 minutes and is not usually painful. You will be able to drive yourself home shortly after the procedure. The ache caused by the veins will disappear as they dissolve but can leave a little bruising after the procedure.

Varicose Veins

The cause of varicose veins is the failure of blood flow through the deeper veins up the leg towards the heart. This flow is controlled by a one-way system of valves which prevent the blood from flowing in the wrong direction, back down the leg. Varicose veins occur when valves in the veins inside your leg fail. This allows blood to flow in the wrong direction causing pressure on the veins closer to the skin. These then swell, can become painful and become the large lumpy irregular veins that you can see.
Before you can get rid of them the damaged deeper veins under the skin need to be treated. Unless this high pressure in the veins is dealt with, more veins will continue to appear.

Symptoms

Some of the symptoms of problems in the veins include:

• Aching heavy legs (usually worse at night)
• Itching
• Darkening of the skin
• Swelling of the ankles
• Night cramps
• Embarrassing appearance

Diagnosis

A consultation will involve an examination by a highly skilled consultant in order to diagnose if you are suffering from thread or varicose veins. Thread veins can be treated straight away whilst varicose veins will initially require a painless ultrasound duplex scan. A highly experienced technician will perform the scan giving an accurate 3D map of the failing valves in the legs. Following diagnosis the consultant will discuss the best treatment for you.

Modern Treatments

The modern treatments available involve sealing the vein from the inside through a needle removing the often long and painful recovery times giving quick successful comfortable results.

Radio frequency (VNUS)

This treatment has been used for over 11 years. VNUS uses an electrical probe to destroy the deeper veins. The probe is inserted via a tiny puncture in the skin around the knee; it is then passed up to the groin under ultrasound control whilst an electrical current seals off the vein. With the deeper veins treated the visible veins under the skin are dissolved using foam. As only a needle is used it can be performed under a local anaesthetic. You will be able to return to work the next day and will be given support bandages or stockings to wear for three days.

Laser (EVLT)

This treatment has been used for 10 years and utilises a laser fibre to destroy the deeper veins. Again the probe is placed through a tiny puncture in the skin around the knee and passed up to the groin under ultrasound control. The heat of the laser fibre at the tip of the probe seals off the deeper veins. With the deeper veins treated the visible veins under the skin are dissolved with foam. Local or general anaesthetic can be used so you can return to work the next day. You will need to wear support bandages or stockings for three days following the procedure.

Foam and ClariVein

The foam procedure used to treat deeper veins was developed in Spain and brought to England 10 years ago. A tiny puncture is made in the skin at the knee then liquid foam is injected into the deeper veins. Ultrasound controls the foam to stay in the vein requiring treatment. This foam irritates the vein causing it to seal itself off and often passes into the visible veins under the skin dissolving them however separate injections may be required to treat these. This treatment is followed with ClariVein which involves a probe to assist the action of the foam in sealing of the vein for the long term. The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic meaning you can return to work the next day. You will need to wear support bandages or stockings for three days

Surgery

Although surgery is rarely required a surgical treatment removes veins by tying them off and then pulling them out (stripping) allowing the veins under the skin to be removed at the same time (avulsions). It can be a painful procedure requiring time to recover however it has in fact not needed to be performed by our consultant for over 5 years due to the exceptional results achieved by the other treatments and technologies we have available.