Over 40 years of expert care

Best UK Group & 5 star reviews

Established Clinics

Award winning treatment plans

Over 40 years of expert care

Best UK Group & 5 star reviews

Nationwide Clinics

Award winning treatment plans

Varicose Veins and Best Treatment Options 

We discuss all you need to know about varicose veins, including varicose vein symptoms, how varicose veins develop, and why you may have them in the first place. This blog post also has you covered on how you can remove them – we lay out your varicose vein procedure options, with a particular focus on Endovenous laser treatment or EVLA (the Gold Standard treatment for removing varicose veins).

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are lumpy, bulging veins usually purple or blue in colour and commonly found on the leg surface, but can also be found on other regions such as the foot or around the ankle.

What are the symptoms of varicose veins?

Varicose veins can often be diagnosed by their swollen, enlarged or twisted appearance, but other varicose vein symptoms may include the following. (Please note that symptoms experienced differ for everyone).

How do varicose veins develop?

Varicose veins occur when blood fails to flow properly through your leg veins, and this is how it works… Your veins take blood to your heart, requiring the blood to flow in an upwards direction (against gravity). This is facilitated by one-way valves and muscle contractions. If these valves weaken or break, however, they cannot properly close. Your blood then flows back to your legs, where, the veins begin to bulge, causing varicose veins. Serving no purpose, these damaged veins are perfectly safe to remove.

What causes varicose veins?

It’s not clear why some people develop varicose veins while others do not. But we do know that the following create higher risk of developing varicose veins: genetics, being overweight (due to increased pressure on your veins), being female (female hormones make vein walls more elastic), and ageing (vein walls weaken with age).

Varicose veins can additionally be secondary to other circumstances or issues. You could be more at risk if you have previously injured your leg veins, had a blood clot, are pregnant (with increased hormone levels and more blood circulating), or stand for a long time in one position (blood can pool in the leg veins, increasing pressure in the veins).

What are the complications of varicose veins?

Varicose veins can worsen gradually. Some with the condition for some time develop skin changes, usually in the ankle or lower leg, due to increased pressure within the veins. Skin could become purple or brown and could develop a rash called varicose eczema. More serious but uncommon complications include deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the vein that can cause pain and swelling), venous ulcers (any cuts or wounds could form an ulcer), bleeding (if you bump or cut your leg) and thrombophlebitis (red, painful superficial veins due to a blood clot in the vein).

How can I treat varicose veins?

The good news is there are a range of minimally-invasive, walk-in-walk-out safe procedures available to remove your varicose veins, not requiring general anaesthetic, and all taking under an hour to complete. In fact, at The Private Clinic, we are able to offer non-surgical treatments for varicose vein removal, to 99% of patients that visit us.

We provide a range of advanced and effective treatments for varicose vein removal. They all work in different ways and are suited to different varicose vein cases. We believe treatment should only be performed by a Consultant Vascular Surgeon who is fully qualified and trained in varicose vein removal.

Some patients look for treatment through the NHS. Although, it is important to note that for varicose veins with and without complications, the NHS typically always first advise self-care measures for a long trial period, such as wearing compression stockings. Although, we do not advise this route as delaying treatment can cause varicose vein problems to exacerbate.

Below we’ve outlined a range of minimally invasive vein removal treatments, each recommended by NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) for different eligibility, OnabotulinumtoxinAAbobotulinumtoxinAIncobotulinumtoxinAPrabotulinumtoxinALetibotulinumtoxinARimabotulinumtoxinBHyaluronic Acid FillersCalcium Hydroxylapatite FillersPoly-L-lactic Acid FillersPolymethylmethacrylate FillersAutologous Fat GraftingForehead Lines TreatmentGlabellar Frown Lines TreatmentCrow's Feet TreatmentBunny Lines TreatmentChemical Brow LiftLip FlipGummy Smile CorrectionMasseter ReductionJaw SlimmingDimpled Chin SmoothingCobblestone Chin SmoothingNefertiti Neck LiftMicro-BotoxMesotoxHyperhidrosis TreatmentChronic Migraine ReliefBruxism TreatmentTMJ TreatmentCervical Dystonia TreatmentNeck Spasm TreatmentBlepharospasm TreatmentLip AugmentationLip ContouringCheekbone EnhancementTear Trough FillersNasolabial Fold SofteningMarionette Line FillersLiquid RhinoplastyNon-Surgical Nose JobJawline ContouringJawline DefinitionChin AugmentationTemple VolumisingHand RejuvenationAcne Scar Subcision Filling and all available at The Private Clinic:

What is the best surgery for Varicose Veins?

EVLA stands for Endovenous Laser Ablation and is a varicose vein removal procedure using laser heat to target, and break down veins. EVLA is considered by NICE to be the best treatment for varicose vein removal. We also always typically favour EVLA as it has a higher success rate. NICE findings actually show that EVLA’s success rate five years post procedure is 95.4%.

To give more detail on what happens in EVLA, an ultrasound scan marks the veins position prior to the injection of local anaesthetic around the area. A fine catheter is inserted via a small incision, typically close to the knee. Laser energy is transported via the catheter, in short pulses, closing up the damaged valve so blood is unable to flow through and the vein walls collapse. The procedure stops the reflux occurring from the damaged valve, producing the varicose vein, addressing the route of the problem, instead of only the symptoms.

Related information: The Real Cost of Varicose Veins in the UK

Varicose Vein Surgery Recovery

One of the biggest deciding factors on having varicose vein surgery is the recovery time.

Traditionally varicose vein surgery was carried out via a vein stripping method which has now been discouraged. The vein stripping method often required 3 weeks before returning to work and everyday activities and patients were often in a lot of pain following surgery.

Our range of minimally invasive varicose vein procedures all have much shorter recovery times. Most patients who have had Varicose Vein laser surgery recovery are back to their usual activities a lot quicker. Find out more about recovery following different varicose vein treatments here. 

How much time off work is required following varicose vein removal?

Patients who have had EVLA, RFA, VenaSeal and Foam Sclerotherapy procedures often feel able to return to work the next day. Those that had a Phlebectomy often require a few additional days to recover.

Our expert vascular surgeons do advise that strenuous exercise is avoided for at least 5 days and it should then be returned to at a gradual pace to avoid unnecessary injury.

But overall, patients are encouraged to stay active throughout their recovery and we feel this gives the best results.

How can I relieve varicose veins without treatment?

If you’re waiting for treatment and feeling discomfort from common varicose vein symptoms there are several ways to relieve the pain, including the below. But please note that these are only a temporary fix of symptoms and do not mean varicose vein complications are prevented. Only treatments are able to remove varicose veins and help you avoid health problems.

Why Choose The Private Clinic?

See more Varicose vein before and after photos here.

We’re proud to offer Consultant Vascular Surgeons who are pioneers in the Gold Standard EVLA treatment and have treated the veins of thousands of patients.

• 
  
• Mr Constantinos Kyriakides, MD, FRCS (Gen), FRCS (Gen Surg). GMC Number:
• 
  
• Mr Dynesh Rittoo, MBChB, FRCS (Eng), FRCS (Gen Surg). GMC Number:
• 
  
• Mr Rajiv Pathak, MBBS, MS, FRCS (Gen), FRCS. GMC Number:
• 
  
• Mr Tahir Hussain, MBBS, FRCS (Gen, Surg.), MS Masters in Surgery. GMC Number:
• 
  

Varicose vein consultations with our expert Consultant Vascular Surgeons can be booked by calling or via our online contact form.

All Varicose vein consultations involve a free ultrasound scan of your legs (typically costing between £350 and £450 at the majority of clinics and private hospitals).

Varicose vein removal consultations are available in our clinics in Harley Street London, Birmingham, Leeds, Northampton and Manchester.

Ready to begin your journey?

Come and see our expert surgeons to discuss the best options available for you. Book a consultation and take that first step.

Talk to an expert 

Download a Brochure

View our privacy policy

The Private Clinic Group includes:

About The Private Clinic

The Private Clinic is a multi award winning medical group with clinics located across the UK. We have over 40 years’ experience in offering the best in advanced minimally invasive non surgical treatments and expert led surgical procedures in our clinics and hospitals. Our surgeons are all registered with the GMC (General Medical Council) and we are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The CQC is an independent regulator for health and social care in England. Last review March 10th 2023.

Information

Useful Links

Sign Up for Latest News & Offers

View our privacy policy

Company reg: The Private Clinic is a trading name of TPC Group Limited (company registration number ) © 2026 The Private Clinic.

TPC Group Limited trading as The Private Clinic Harley Street London, which is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited. TPC Group Limited is a credit broker, not a lender. Chrysalis Finance Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for credit broking and lending.