Monday 20 June 2022 10:19 PM Guide to varicose veins remedies from blue light 'pen' to a foam pillow and ... trends now

Around three in ten adults in the UK have varicose veins. These occur when the valves inside the veins of the legs stop working properly, causing blood to flow back down.

'Over time, this enlarges the veins,' explains Gary Maytham, a consultant vascular surgeon at St George's Hospital, London and Spire Gatwick Park Hospital in Surrey.

Left untreated, varicose veins can bleed when knocked and lead to leg ulcers.

Treatment involves surgery to close the veins — 'burning' the inside of the vein so it collapses in on itself and closes. But NHS criteria, which vary regionally, are strict, and only a small percentage of people with varicose veins qualify for surgery.

There are treatments you can use at home — but are they any good? We asked Mr Maytham and Professor Stephen Black, lead clinician at the UK Vein Clinic in Harley Street, London, to review a selection. We then rated them.

LIGHT THERAPY

Blue light skin therapy pen, £14.95, ozerty.com

CLAIM: Hold the tip of this battery-operated device against the area affected by spider or varicose veins for up to two minutes, two or three times a day.

It emits painless blue light which the maker says can 'penetrate deep into your skin, stimulating collagen production and accelerating blood circulation', helping varicose veins 'fade away'.

EXPERT VERDICT: 'Spider [or thread] veins are small blue or red clusters of veins on the legs and face,' says Mr Maytham, 'which can occur on their own or alongside larger varicose veins, but they are a cosmetic issue rather than a health problem.

'They're usually treated by micro-sclerotherapy — injecting a chemical into the veins, causing them to collapse.

'Laser or pulsed light therapy can also be used. The very high-energy light damages the walls of the spider veins, causing them to disappear in time.

'The suggestion seems to be that this pen can achieve the same effect, but blue light is not used in medical clinics. It's likely to be a waste of money.'

VERDICT: 0/10

LEG RAISER

Putnams memory foam leg rest, £68.30, backcareonline.co.uk

CLAIM: This wedge-style pillow, made from memory foam, keeps both legs raised when you lie in bed.

Its maker says it is contoured 'to follow the shape of your legs, giving maximum support, reducing pressure' and providing 'relief from varicose veins'.

The website says it is 'recommended by the NHS'.

EXPERT VERDICT: 'A common symptom of varicose veins is swelling in the legs and ankles (oedema),' says Mr Maytham.

'A wedge like this can help as it raises the legs above the level of the heart, using gravity to encourage fluid to drain out of the legs via the lymphatic system, rather than building up in the soft tissues, causing swelling.

'This wedge would be more supportive than pillows. Although that won't tackle the underlying causes of varicose veins, I suggest this type of leg-raisers to patients to reduce swelling.' 

VERDICT: 8/10

SQUEEZY SOCKS 

VR Original Superfit, £27.99, vitalactive.com

CLAIM: These knee-length nylon compression socks are 'designed to control the development of the condition and ease the discomfort caused by dysfunctional valves in the veins', says the manufacturer. These socks have a compression level of 16 to 18mmHg.

EXPERT VERDICT: 'Compression socks are good for swelling, but only if they are tight enough to squeeze fluid in the tissues back into circulation around the body,' says Professor Black, who normally recommends a European class-two medical stocking or sock with a compression of 30 to 40mmHg for varicose veins.

'But this pair is only about half that, so they're just like a tight pair of socks, which won't do much good to help your varicose veins.' 

VERDICT: 5/10

HERB PATCHES

Vapatch herbal varicose veins soothing patch, pack of 40, £17.95, bellagadgets.co.uk

CLAIM: The site selling these stick-on patches claims they're an 'effective and safe

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