Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are veins that become enlarged and contorted, and sometimes cause discomfort or pain. A range of treatments – surgical and non-surgical – are available, depending on the severity of the symptoms and a person’s circumstances and preferences.

Varicose veins are more common in women than in men and tend to run in families. They usually develop between the ages of 30 and 60 years and tend to worsen with age.

Spider veins are those fine networks of veins that occur anywhere on the legs. They can be related to Varicose Veins if found mainly around the ankles and lower parts of the legs, but generally are just an inherited condition that gets worse with age.

Assessment of spider veins requires a full examination to establish the cause and if they may be associated with Varicose Veins. Generally, if there is Varicose Veins also present then these should be treated first. A clinical examination initially and a general appearance alongside an ultrasound exam can sort out these issues and determine a treatment plan and estimated costs for treating these veins.

Veins are the blood vessels that carry blood from the body to the heart (whereas arteries carry blood from the heart to the body). Properly functioning veins have a series of one-way valves that keep the blood flowing in one direction towards the heart.

Varicose veins occur when, as a result of various causes, the valves within the veins become inefficient (incompetent) and allow blood to back-flow. The blood pools in the area below the affected valve causing the vein to enlarge and stretch. Varicose veins appear under the skin as bluish-green lines, which may bulge out or appear twisted and contorted.

Veins that lie just beneath the skin surface are referred to as “superficial veins” while the veins found deep inside the muscles are referred to as “deep veins”. Other veins, called “communicating veins”, connect the superficial and deep veins, allowing blood to flow between them.

The superficial veins in the legs are the most common place for varicose veins to occur. However, they can occur in other areas of the body such as the pelvic region and the rectal area (haemorrhoids).

• Bulging or twisting of the affected vein(s)
• Pain or aching of the affected area, especially after sitting or standing for lengthy periods
• Swelling in the legs
• A feeling of heaviness and muscle fatigue in the legs
• Itching around the affected veins
• Leg cramps at rest.

• The skin above the affected veins may become thin making it susceptible to cuts, nicks, and ulcers
• Inflammation of the affected veins (phlebitis)
• A slightly increased risk of developing blood clots in the deep veins (deep vein thrombosis) connected to varicose veins.​

Varicose veins are usually easily visible so it is possible to make a diagnosis simply from their appearance. Your Skin on Forty-Five Doctor will perform a physical examination to assess the extent of the varicose veins and perform an ultrasound test which enables the blood flow and structure of the veins to be seen on a monitor. It can also show if any blood clots are present. A duplex ultrasound may also be performed. This is a more advanced scan and displays the image in colour. ​

Treatment is dependent upon the size and nature of the veins being treated. Some of the superficial “Spider Veins” can be very effectively treated with laser therapy whereas the larger varicose veins often require more advanced techniques such as Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy, Intravascular Radiofrequency Ablation or Endovenous Laser Ablation.

Most treatment is covered by Private Health Insurers or payment plans can be arranged to support your treatment.

If you have any questions about your veins contact Skin on Forty-Five and we can answer your questions or arrange an assessment to provide you with a detailed management plan to suit your condition.

The veins are injected with a very small needle, so any discomfort is minimal. The injection is a sclerosing agent that damages the lining of these small veins and causes them to close down. It is a safe and simple non-surgical procedure, which may require several treatments to obtain desired results.

The procedure is done by a doctor and is relatively painless. The small needles do cause discomfort but generally, the lining of these veins are not pain-sensitive. After the treatment stockings are applied and you are encouraged to walk daily to reduce any possible complications, similar to after treatment of varicose veins. Normal simple non-strenuous activities may be resumed immediately after treatment.

Treatments are usually 4 to 6 weeks apart so the effectiveness of prior treatment can be seen and determine if any further injections are required. Depending on what outcome the patient expects and the severity of the condition determines the number of treatments.

The area treated will have a swollen appearance with bruising at injection sites, which will settle in 2-4 weeks, as the treated veins are absorbed. The treated area will look bruised and worse for a few weeks, whilst the area settles. Occasionally transient increased pigmentation can occur from a pigment called haemosiderin being retained in the skin, at the injection site, or along the treated vein. This will normally fade over the next 3-6 months (in rare cases up to 12-18 months).

Other side effects are rare but occasionally small post injections ulcers occur about the size of a fingernail , these resolve with time, but are thought to be due to small connections between veins treated and small arterioles.

The doctor assessing you will go over all the possible outcomes and risks about the procedure in detail, plus give you information about follow up and aftercare.

Very small spider veins can be treated with a superficial vascular laser. After the microsclerotherapy we usually offer laser treatments of any remaining small spider networks that are too fine for microsclerotherapy.  Occasionally fine spider networks can be treated with laser alone.

The Cutera laser delivers pulses of light energy into the selected veins, which target the hemoglobin without causing any thermal damage to surrounding tissue, The energy causes the blood within the vein to coagulate and eventually destroys the vessels, which go on to be reabsorbed by the body.

The cutera is designed that we can uniquely treat and specifically design the wavelengths used and treat on all skin tones.