Member Article

Leading venous clinic celebrates two years in London

April 2016 will mark two years since internationally renowned specialist Professor Mark Whiteley launched one of the UK’s leading venous treatment destinations - The Whiteley Clinic’s flagship clinic at One Chapel Place in London.

Following its opening back in 2014, the clinic has fast become the number one spot for men, women to seek cutting edge, pioneering treatments for their varicose veins and other undesirable venous conditions.

According to Professor Whiteley, recent research has revealed that approximately 30% of the UK population will develop varicose veins during their lifetime. The majority expect these to appear on the lower legs, but what many people are surprised to learn is that these pesky little veins can surface just about anywhere on the body.

To prove it, here Professor Whiteley has shared his expert insight into varicose veins and the undesirable areas where they can develop, as well as the very best treatments available at The Whiteley Clinic:

VEINS AROUND THE EYES

“Everybody has veins around the eyes, on the temples and on their foreheads. In most people, these are hidden away under the skin and surrounded by subcutaneous fat. However in some people, the veins are clearly visible. This is generally because the veins are nearer to the surface of the skin, the surrounding subcutaneous fat is reduced or the veins are more dilated than normal. For these patients, bulging or prominent green veins around the eyes or on the temples can be quite disfiguring and cause extreme embarrassment, particularly when hot or flustered.

Treatments vary depending on the skin type, distribution of the veins and size of veins. Sometimes an ND:YAG laser can be used to close these veins away. Other times they need to be removed using local anaesthetic surgical techniques. One of the advantages of the Whiteley Clinic is that we also have Absolute Aesthetics working with us, bringing us the laser techniques to complement our surgical techniques.“

RED VEINS ON THE FACE

“Veins which often cause a lot of distress for patients are those that appear on the face. These veins – frequently referred to as thread veins or “broken capillaries” – are tiny blood vessels which run close to the surface of the skin and look like fine red or purple, wiggly lines. Though small and usually not a medical problem, a lot of people choose to have these veins removed for cosmetic reasons.

Unlike the thread veins found on the legs which are due to gravity, the thread veins on the face can be treated with electrolysis, intense pulsed light or laser, depending on the size and distribution of the veins. Our aesthetics colleagues, Absolute Aesthetics, are experts in assessing and treating facial thread veins allowing us to concentrate on thread veins in the legs that need duplex ultrasound scanning and micro-sclerotherapy treatment after the underlying veins have been treated.“

VEINS ON THE HANDS AND ARMS

“Another undesirable body area where varicose veins may develop is the hands and the arms. These veins are less common, and usually develop with age and loss of body fat – particularly in those who work out a lot. Fortunately these veins are pretty harmless and are mainly a cosmetic problem. Very rarely they can cause bruising or can clot, but in most cases they just make the hands look old and the arms look less attractive.

Treatments are typically tailored to individual patients, but fillers are commonly successful in making the hands look better and hiding the veins away, and ultrasound guided phlebectomy can help make arms look smoother and more attractive.“

VEINS ON THE BREASTS AND CLEVAGE

“Obvious or bulging blue or green veins on the breasts, or in the cleavage between the breasts, can be very upsetting and can make any woman very self-conscious. These veins can develop for a variety of reasons but are particularly prominent in patients after implant surgery.

Each patient needs to be individually assessed but a combination of local anaesthetic phlebectomy or foam sclerotherapy can give an excellent aesthetic result once healed. Some patients with widespread veins may need a series of treatments to get the optimal result.“

VEINS IN OTHER, MORE PRIVATE AREAS

“Varicose veins of the vulva and vagina commonly stem from an underlying pelvic or ovarian vein reflux condition, which presents itself during pregnancy. The condition can be very uncomfortable for those affected, with symptoms including; pelvic aching, dragging pain, an increase in stress incontinence, IBS, and discomfort around the bladder/rectum caused by the distended veins pushing against them.

Whilst many in the medical sphere believe there to be no suitable treatment for the condition, we at The Whiteley Clinic offer patients a pioneering procedure known as Coil Embolisation. The procedure uses an X-Ray technique to place a metal coil within the problem vein and block off the blood vessel. The procedure has been proven to treat the veins from the root of the problem, both quickly and effectively and provides long term results.“

“The most undesirable area for varicose veins to occur is probably the interior or exterior of the anus – more commonly known as haemorrhoids or piles. Though this area of the body is not generally associated with veins, approximately 50% of the UK population are estimated to suffer from haemorrhoids during their lifetime. For the majority of people these veins do not cause any problems, but for some people they can be painful and cause bleeding.

At The Whiteley Clinic, we offer a revolutionary procedure called Hembolize™ which aims to offer those suffering with haemorrhoids a long-term solution to their problem by permanently destroying the affected rectal veins. The treatment is unique in that it completely avoids much of the embarrassment and discomfort often associated with haemorrhoids procedures, by attacking the problem via the neck. The treatment will ensure that the problem veins are permanently destroyed – limiting the possibility of the condition reoccurring.“

For more information about The Whiteley Clinic and available treatments please visit www.thewhiteleyclinic.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by George May .