Cosmetic, Medical & Vein Clinic

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Do you live in Nelson or Blenheim? Are your veins ‘out of sight and mind’? Do unsightly spider and varicose veins mean you wear opaque tights in winter and avoid bare legs in summer. Thankfully technological advances mean showing off your legs can become a reality again. You can WEAR SHORTS AGAIN!

varicose veins

Ring Robyn or Taryn on 548 8216 to arrange a FREE no-obligation Varicose Veins assessment and scan in Nelson or Blenheim with Dr David.

Click on the links below to read more about available treatments.

Firstly, it’s important to know that veins form an essential part of the circulatory system. They return blood to the heart after body cells exchange waste products for Oxygen. Varicose veins, however, are a sign of an underlying problem. Varicose veins may develop through a combination of underlying factors; weakened vein walls, high venous pressures, and faulty valves. Healthy valves open to allow blood flow, then close to stop it flowing backwards. When this simple pump system malfunctions, the blood pools, creating a bulging knotted look. This is a common issue in New Zealand with up to 40% of women and 25% of men affected by varicose veins of varying severity. Additionally, plenty of people in their 20s and 30s are also unfortunately affected. Varicose veins can be responsible for painful cramps, aching, tired legs and restlessness at night. These symptoms can affect sleep and daily activities.
More serious varicose veins can lead to an array of problems including skin discolouration, dermatitis and even ulcers. Patients often inherit abnormal veins but they can also be related to hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause. Occupations requiring long periods standing contribute to increased risk. For these reasons, Varicose Veins can never be said to be ‘cured’ (although many may never develop more Varicosities). New veins may surface over subsequent years because it is impossible to cure the underlying predisposing varicose disease process itself. In the past, invasive surgical stripping was the only way to treat the appearance and symptoms of varicose veins. This is expensive, requiring general anaesthetic and hospitalisation, can leave scarring and requires a long, painful recovery period.

Modern Technology – First Class Treatments:

Modern technology allows Dr David Orsbourn at Enhanceskin to offer Ultrasound Guided Foam Sclerotherapy (UGS), Venaseal Glue and the minimally invasive Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) which allows you to return to normal activities almost straight away. We offer both treatments in Nelson and Blenheim. They ‘close’ the malfunctioning veins, solving the problem with no harm to the circulatory system, as blood flow is rerouted to the surrounding healthy veins.

Ultrasound-Guided Foam Sclerotherapy (UGS)

Ultrasound-Guided Foam Sclerotherapy (UGS) uses specialised ultrasound equipment to guide injections of sclerosant which permanently closes the vein. This procedure is virtually painless, so requires no anaesthesia and takes just an hour. UGS can be less effective on larger veins, leading toOnce in position and after further local anaesthetic a higher recurrence rate.

Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA)

Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) uses targeted laser energy to seal the vein shut. After administration of local anaesthetic, we insert a needle, then feed a laser fibre up through the needle into the vein. Once in position and after further local anaesthetic the fibre with its laser light is slowly withdrawn, shrinking and sealing off the vein. This takes approximately an hour and has a 99% success rate (even after five years* and the studies are now out to 15 years). Additionally, it offers immediate relief of physical symptoms. The benefit of EVLA is that it is a ‘walk-in, walk out’ procedure where the majority of patients say (after initial normal trepidation) “I don’t know what I was worried about!”

Discover more information about EVLA – Visit the VenaCure Website

Venaseal

The VenaSeal closure system uses a proprietary medical adhesive delivered endovenously, treating and closing varicose veins.

While it may not be suitable for every client, (we have some restrictions especially in those patients with allergies), if this solution is appropriate for you, it does have a couple of advantages not found with other varicose vein treatments.

  • Unlike other varicose vein treatments, using the VenaSeal closure system means that there is no requirement to wear compression stockings following your procedure.
  • If this treatment is suitable for you, it may please you to know there are no restrictions on travel; you can hop on a plane immediately after treatment.
  • Fewer injections are required as no tumescent anaesthesia is necessary.
  • This treatment is still a walk-in/walk out procedure.

Varicose veins are often associated with spider veins, small red or blue dilated blood vessels common on the legs, feet, and even breasts. Microsclerotherapy is the standard way to treat these, which involves using a fine needle to inject a sclerosant solution into the veins, stimulating the body’s natural healing, closing off the veins.

Outpatient Procedures:

These are all ‘outpatient procedures’ requiring no general anaesthesia or hospital stay, walk-in walk out, and you can drive home afterwards. The great advantage over surgery is that there is minimal downtime or impact on your usual daily living over the weeks following treatment. You will need to wear compression stockings (which now have some more fashionable options) and avoid immediate international air travel. Don’t muck around if your veins bother you. “Why be ashamed of your legs, or live with the pain?”

Come and see a vein specialist like David. He will discuss your issues, then can perform an ultrasound in his room, to map your venous system to ascertain the source of your problem. He is then able to discuss and advise what the best treatment option is for you then and there.

NEWS FLASH – We are now offering free no-obligation Varicose Vein Assessments with Ultrasound Mapping in Blenheim, as well as our Nelson clinic. David is performing both UGS and EVLA procedures in the beautiful new Operating Facility at Churchill Trust Private Hospital in Blenheim.

Finally, please note we have Affiliated Provider status with Southern Cross. We are also accepted for cover by NIB, Sovereign, FMG, UniMed, Accuro and OnePath.

Other small vein treatments

IPL Skin Rejuvenation

IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light, which is a process that helps reduce the appearance of different lesions within the skin. A course of IPL is ideal for facial vein removal.

Microsclerotherapy

A safe and convenient method of diminishing the appearance of spider veins and thread veins on the face and legs. This procedure encourages the vein walls to stick together, which obliterates the visible vein. There is not an immediate cosmetic improvement as we await your own body’s healing over 8-10 weeks for the final result.

*Min, RJ; Khilnani, NM: “Endovenous Laser Ablation of Varicose Veins”. J. Cardiovasc Surg. 2005; 46:395-405.

Phone 03 548 8216 for both Blenheim and Nelson appointments.