All about veins by John H Scurr Consultant Surgeon

Dermal flares - available treatments

How do I get dermal flares treated ?

Firstly it is important to exclude an underlying cause. This is done using a simple non-invasive (no needles) test which measures the flow of blood in the vein. If the blood flows in the wrong direction because the underlying valves are damaged, this results in higher pressure, which can lead to the development of surface veins. It is important to exclude an underlying cause, for this affects the treatment. Treating the surface veins in the presence of underlying vein problems results in them returning quite quickly. If you do have a problem with the underlying veins then you should receive treatment first, and this would ensure that you get the best possible result following the treatment to your surface veins.

What treatments are available for surface veins ?

There are several forms of treatment available; these include electrolysis, the laser and microsclerotherapy.

Which form of treatment is best ?

Depending on the results of your scan you will be advised. The commonest form of treatment is microsclerotherapy, with the laser being reserved for treating specific problems, and in particular when the small vessels run together.

What is microsclerotherapy ?

Microsclerotherapy involves an injection using a very fine needle. This needle is almost invisible and is connected to a fine flexible tube. The needle is inserted into one of the flares and an injection of a sclerosant solution is given. The sclerosant solution is introduced into the cutaneous veins and expels blood from these veins. The sclerosant solution does not enter your circulation, but remains in the surface veins. Having expelled the blood the veins appear to disappear. The sclerosant solution sticks the vein walls together so that the blood cannot return. In some patients the blood slowly leaks back into the veins and the veins become apparent. The vein walls have been damaged by the injection and are slowly removed by the body's natural defence mechanisms over a period of three months. In some patients there is an instant result and in other patients you have to wait for up to three months for the veins to clear.

How often do I need to have this done ?

The number of injections per session will depend on how extensive your veins are and the amount of sclerosant solution that can be injected into you on one session. A session usually lasts between 20 and 30 minutes. The frequency of the sessions will depend on how effective the clearance has been. We usually reinject at two to three week intervals, although it is possible to compress the treatment into a shorter period of time. The number of sessions will depend on how extensive your flares are and the treatment continues until you are entirely satisfied.

Private consultations:

The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road
London
SW1W 8RH

Tel: +44 (0)20 7730 9563
Fax: +44 (0)20 7259 9938
e-mail:
jscurr@uk-consultants.co.uk