Comparison of treatment options
| Treatment |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Lifestyle changes
You do regular exercise, maintain a healthy weight and stop smoking. |
- Helps prevent condition from getting worse
- Will support all other options below
|
- Does not remove existing veins
|
Compression stockings
During the day you wear thick elastic stockings to compress the veins. |
- Improves circulation
- Prevents condition from getting worse
|
- Does not remove existing veins
- Hot and sweaty to wear
- Appearance is unattractive
|
Surgery
A surgeon cuts and ties the affected vein diverting blood to healthier veins, or makes small incision in the leg and using a suction device removes the veins. |
- Single treatment
- Immediate removal
- Can treat large varicose veins
|
- Risk of scarring at incision cuts
- 1-3 weeks recovery
- Possible overnight stay in hospital
- 20% of procedures need to be repeated
|
Photothermolysis
Short bursts of laser / IPL energy are used to target and break down the veins. |
- Veins fade in 6-12 weeks
- Suitable for fine to superficial veins
- No incision cuts, so no scars
|
- Multiple treatments required
- Moderate risk of pigmentation
- Not effective at treating deeper veins
|
Sclerotherapy
A chemical solution is injected into each vein to seal it closed. |
- Veins fade in 6-12 weeks
- Suitable for small to medium veins
- No incision cuts, so no scars
|
- Multiple treatments required
- Minor risk of temporary pigmentation
- Not suitable for large veins
|
