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Varicose veins are a common problem, affecting up to 1 in 3 adults in their lifetime. They are usually a sign of an underlying venous insufficiency.
Thread veins can appear anywhere on the body but are mostly evidenced on the legs and face. They are more common than varicose veins, affecting up to 80% of adults.
Leg ulcers appear as broken skin in the lower leg or feet. We have been successfully treating venous leg ulcers for over 20 years.
Upfront and fixed prices. Find out exactly what you’ll pay before attending. Medical Insurance should fund varicose vein treatment.
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Walk in, walk out treatments typically take around an hour
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Endovenous laser ablation, often referred to as EVLA, is recommended by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as their treatment of choice.
The below content has been medically reviewed and approved by Consultant Interventional Radiologist Dr. Mark Bratby (MBBS, MRCP, FRCR), Medical Director and Head of the Medical Advisory Committee at Veincentre.
Last reviewed 23rd April 2025.
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Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) is a leading, minimally invasive treatment for varicose veins, recommended by NICE. Rather than removing the vein through surgery, EVLA gently closes the faulty vein using targeted laser energy, restoring healthy blood flow and reducing pressure in the leg. The result? Relief from symptoms like aching, swelling, and itching, along with a noticeable improvement in appearance.
The procedure is a simple walk-in, walk-out treatment under local anaesthetic, so there’s no need for a hospital stay or general anaesthetic. You’ll be in the clinic for around one to two hours, depending on how many veins need to be treated, and most people are up and about shortly after—often returning to normal activities the same day. It’s safe, effective, and trusted by thousands of patients across the UK.
At Veincentre, your EVLA treatment is always delivered by an expert vascular consultant who’ll support you from your first appointment to aftercare. Veincentre has over 20 years of experience and a >99% vein closure rate, you can feel confident that you’re in good hands.
EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation) is a minimally invasive way to treat varicose veins at their source, without the need for surgery or general anaesthetic. Using ultrasound guidance, your consultant carefully inserts a fine laser fibre into the affected vein through a tiny entry point in the skin. Controlled heat is then applied along the vein, encouraging it to close. The vein itself doesn’t need to be removed. It’s gradually reabsorbed by your body while healthy veins take over to restore proper blood flow.
It’s a quick procedure that typically takes around an hour. All patients are back on their feet as soon as they leave the clinic and are encouraged to walk afterwards. With no stitches, no overnight stay, and care from a dedicated consultant throughout, EVLA is designed to make the whole experience as smooth and stress-free as possible.
EVLA has been transforming the way we treat varicose veins for over 20 years. First developed in the United States, it quickly became a breakthrough alternative to traditional surgery, offering a safer, more comfortable, and highly effective option. Long-term results have shown just how reliable it is, with excellent safety and success rates that have stood the test of time.
Thanks to EVLA, there’s no longer any need for invasive vein stripping under general anaesthetic in our experience. Instead, patients can benefit from a minimally invasive, fast procedure that treats the root cause of varicose veins, helping people feel better sooner and with far less disruption to everyday life.
Your journey with us begins with a detailed consultation, where we take the time to understand your symptoms, concerns and goals. Your Veincentre consultation is undertaken by your vascular consultant at this appointment and they will stay with you throughout your treatment journey. During the consultation one of our experienced consultants will carry out an in-depth ultrasound scan to identify the veins causing the problem. This gives us a clear view of what is happening beneath the surface and allows us to tailor the most suitable treatment for you.
We will guide you through everything in a calm and supportive way, including the treatment options available, how they work, what results you can expect, and any possible risks. There is no rush and no pressure. This is your time to ask questions, take everything in and feel fully informed.
On the day of your procedure, you will meet the nurse who will be with you throughout to make sure you feel supported and at ease. The treatment takes place in a quiet, comfortable room. From your very first appointment to the moment you walk out of the clinic, we are here to look after you every step of the way and your consultant will answer any remaining questions.
The ultrasound scanner is used as guidance throughout the procedure, giving the consultant a live view of your veins at all times.
Firstly, a small amount of local anaesthetic will be gently administered and then a needle will be placed into the vein to be treated. A guidewire (thin wire) will be carefully inserted through the needle and into the vein that contains the faulty valves. Once this wire is in the correct position, a sheath (thin plastic tube) is then pushed over the wire and fed along the vein. The guidewire is then removed, and the laser fibre is inserted through the catheter and into the vein.
Once the laser fibre is in position, a large volume of local anaesthetic will be administered along the entire length of the vein. The local anaesthetic solution numbs the veins in the legs and ensures that the tissues surrounding the vein in question are protected from damage. This involves a few needle punctures along the leg.
Finally, once the veins that need treatment are fully anaesthetised, the laser will be activated, delivering laser energy to the vein. The energy is absorbed by the tissues in the wall of the vein, which are heated up to a level sufficient to close them off permanently. The laser fibre will be slowly withdrawn along the vein, thus heating the vein wall as it goes and destroying it in situ. This will take around 3-5 minutes per vein.
Due to the local anaesthetic given, you should not be in any significant discomfort when the vein is being lasered. You may feel some slight aching, and some patients may notice some odd tastes and smells. This is repeated on all of the veins that have been identified as causing your varicose veins.
Once the vein has been heated up and destroyed, your body will naturally absorb the dead tissue left behind. This can take several weeks.
Once the procedure has finished, the nurse will help you put on a compression stocking/s. They’ll talk you through how to wear these and any post-treatment symptoms to look out for.
You’ll be asked to take a 20-minute walk following the appointment before making your way home. It is important to note, you are unable to drive on the day of treatment, but you are fine to drive the day after. You cannot fly long haul (over 4 hours) for 4 weeks post procedure, but short haul flights are fine.
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We know that cost is an important factor when considering varicose vein treatment, and you want to be sure you’re making the right choice for your health.
At Veincentre, we’re proud to offer EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation) treatment at a fixed, transparent price. There are no hidden extras and no surprises, the full treatment price will be shared after your consultation. This includes your consultation, scan, procedure, and follow-up. This is all led by a dedicated consultant who’ll look after you every step of the way. Our EVLA treatments are walk-in, walk-out, take around an hour, and are recommended by NICE with a 99% vein closure success rate. If you’re ready to feel confident in your legs again, we’re here to help.
While the NHS does offer varicose vein treatment, access can be limited and it often depends on the severity of your symptoms. Even when treatment is available, it’s not always EVLA. Some patients are still offered traditional surgical vein stripping, which involves a more invasive operation and a longer recovery time. At Veincentre, we specialise in EVLA because it’s minimally invasive, takes around an hour, and delivers long-lasting results—with a 99% vein closure success rate and no need for general anaesthetic. If you’ve been told to wait or that your only option is surgery, we’re here to offer another way forward. Led by experienced consultants who understand what a difference the right treatment can make.
It’s completely natural to want to understand the risks before starting treatment. At Veincentre, we believe in being open and honest, and the good news is that EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation) is a very safe and effective procedure with minimal recovery time. As with any medical treatment however there are a few things to be aware of.
Mild to moderate discomfort and bruising are common and usually settle within 10–14 days with simple over-the-counter pain relief. A sensation of tightness in the treated vein can occur around a week after the procedure but typically resolves itself within a few days.
Some people notice a small area of numbness on the skin which happens when the skin sensory nerve is bruised and this usually improves over time. Temporary skin discolouration may occur along the treated vein. This looks like light bruising but is actually staining caused by oxidisation, and generally fades over time. Occasionally, thread veins may develop after EVLA and could require further treatment if needed.
Much less commonly, and as with any medical procedure, there can be some more severe risks. Infection, inflammation (which is called phlebitis), or allergic reactions may occur. These are usually mild and can be managed at the time or with a follow-up visit to your clinic. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a recognised complication after varicose vein treatments but is uncommon in our patients at Veincentre. We take a lot of care to assess your risk for this serious condition based on your overall medical history etc and your consultant will offer careful guidance during your appointment to reduce the risk, and provide reassurance – as well as giving you information on what to look out for.
At Veincentre, your safety and well-being are always our top priorities and that’s why we make sure you see the same consultant at your Veincentre Consultation, treatment and follow up, so you get the very best in treatment outcome and quality of care.
Looking after your legs after EVLA treatment is simple, and we’ll guide you every step of the way. Because the procedure is minimally invasive, recovery tends to be quick and straightforward. Most people are up and walking shortly after treatment and can get back to their normal activities the very same day.
We’ll provide you with a personalised aftercare plan, but in general, we recommend wearing your compression stockings for around 7 days, as this helps support healing and encourages healthy blood flow. It’s a good idea to stay active with gentle walks, but try to avoid lifting heavy weights, horse-riding, or swimming during the first week. Some bruising or tightness can happen, but that’s completely normal and usually settles on its own over the first couple of weeks.
You’ll have a follow-up appointment with your consultant to make sure everything’s healing nicely. If you ever have questions or concerns, we’re always here to help. Our team is just a phone call away, so you’ll never feel left in the dark during your recovery. We’re with you from start to finish, making sure your journey to healthier legs is as smooth and comfortable as possible.
You will need to keep your stocking/s on for seven days. Over the next few weeks, you may experience some tautness as the vein shrinks. You are highly likely to experience some degree of bruising of the leg; for most patients, this is mild, but it can be quite severe (don’t be alarmed if your leg is a lovely shade of purple for a week or so).
The vast majority of patients experience some pain and may need simple pain relief for 7–10 days, and you are encouraged to return to normal activities right away. A small minority experience a higher degree of post procedure pain, resulting in them having to take a few days off work. If patients do experience pain, disconcertingly, it is usually around 7-10 days post-treatment rather than straight away. This is when the treated veins start to be absorbed by the body and patients will often describe it as a tightening sensation.
If you were experiencing symptoms associated with your varicose veins (such as aching, throbbing, itching, etc.), these should begin to resolve quickly following the EVLA treatment. Patients usually note that their symptoms have fully resolved when they attend their first follow-up appointment.
You will be wearing a support stocking for a week and so you’re unable to go swimming, and we discourage horse riding and heavy weight-lifting. Your consultant will advise if there is anything else you should avoid.
We strongly advise that you attend for a follow-up approximately 6 to 8 weeks later, where you will have a further ultrasound scan to assess your veins after EVLA treatment. The vast majority of patients will require further foam sclerotherapy and/or microsclerotherapy treatment at follow-up for cosmetic improvement. It is also important that we check that the EVLA treatment has successfully fixed your underlying vein problems as intended.
Do not be surprised if the varicose veins are still there at this stage. They are usually reduced in size, but rarely will they have gone entirely. Sometimes, they will look just as large as before treatment, but don’t panic, this does not indicate the treatment has failed. Although EVLA will have fixed the underlying problem, most patients will require foam sclerotherapy or avulsions/phlebectomies to treat the actual varicosities (visible veins).
Following any treatment with us, support stockings must be worn for a full week.
We strongly advise that you attend for a follow-up approximately 6 to 8 weeks following your EVLA treatment. The vast majority of patients will require some form of treatment at follow-up, and it is also important that we check that the EVLA treatment has successfully fixed your underlying vein problems as intended.
Do not be surprised if the varicose veins are still there at this stage. They are usually reduced in size, but rarely will they have gone entirely. Sometimes, they will look just as large as they did before treatment, but don’t panic this does not indicate the treatment has failed. Although EVLA will have fixed the underlying problem, most patients will require foam sclerotherapy or avulsions/phlebectomies in order to treat the actual varicosities.
EVLA is a long lasting treatment for the underlying cause of varicose veins. Our EVLA treatments have a 99% vein closure success rate, and most patients see improved symptoms for a long period of time after treatment. The results can vary depending on individual factors, including lifestyle and genetics.
Some common side effects of EVLA that patients have experienced include
