When most people think of varicose veins, they picture large lumps sticking out of their leg. And while this is certainly true for a lot of people, sometimes the disease can take a more clandestine form.

​Varicose veins are more than simply a cosmetic issue. They have many other symptoms, which are hidden below the surface.

If you recognise any of the following symptoms, we would advise you to make an appointment with a vein specialist.

As summer wraps up this year, it seems we’re going to have another record – one of our hottest ever.

And with the year before officially the hottest on record, this trend is a sign that we better prepare for even hotter temperatures for longer periods in the years ahead.

And while this might be great for family days out at the beach, it’s bad news for your skin.

New Zealand already has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, and with temperatures soaring Kiwis need to be aware of the dangers of sunburn more than ever.

Varicose Veins are not simply a cosmetic issue. They are a serious medical condition which can result in painful symptoms such as throbbing, swelling and ulcers. 

Varicose veins are a type of progressive vein disease, meaning they will only get worse over time if left untreated.

The end stages of the condition can cause the skin below the affected veins to become thin, making it susceptible to bleeding and ulcers.
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If you suffer from this unfortunate disease and live in New Zealand, there is some good news - this country has one of the industry’s top experts on hand to help.

Liposuction has many myths, rumours, and misconceptions around it, but this much maligned treatment is very different today from when it first started out.

Dr Henryk Poczwa, one of New Zealand’s foremost experts on liposuction, would like to put to bed some of the fallacies about the treatment and set the record straight by answering these commonly asked questions.

Athletes are, by definition, in peak physical condition. Every nuance of their life is carefully monitored to see if it influences their sports performance. From what and when they eat, to what time they go to bed, it’s all part of a considerable equation which makes the perfect sports star.

Varicose veins however can upset that equation.
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What many people consider a cosmetic problem is actually a genuine disease, with real, physical and debilitating consequences. 

 If you’ve suffered from varicose veins for too long now, then make your New Year’s Resolution for 2019 to be the year you finally get rid of these unsightly and painful veins.

Modern varicose vein treatment is now less invasive, faster, and more affordable than ever!
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Depending on your situation, most vein treatments can be completed over 2 -3 hours, and you can return to work almost immediately with virtually no side-effects.

Varicose vein treatment is a continuously evolving process. Early treatments involved removing the vein surgically, but this is no longer common practice.

As techniques and equipment improved, other less invasive treatments developed, including Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) and Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy (UGS) to treat even the largest of varicose veins.

Dr Henryk Poczwa was the first Phlebologist in New Zealand to introduce the revolutionary laser treatment into New Zealand in 2002, and today, he is still a leading pioneer in varicose vein treatment with the introduction of the Venaseal Closure System.

​Varicose veins are not simply unsightly, but they can have genuine health impacts on your body. 

Most people with varicose veins will tend to develop other symptoms, such as throbbing, swelling and aching. 

Advanced cases of the disease cause dermatitis, pain and tired legs, and while very rare, end stages of the condition can cause the skin below the affected veins to become thin, making it susceptible to cuts, nicks and ulcers.

Fortunately, there are a variety of treatments available to help stop the condition before things get out of control. 

Beauty sleep is indeed real and depending on the amount and quality of sleep you get each night, it has direct and profound effects on your appearance.

While we still don’t know why we sleep, one thing is certain:  sleep is essential for our bodies to function properly, and without it, things start to go downhill pretty quickly.

If you suddenly stop sleeping, you can expect chronic fatigue, followed by hallucinations, insanity and eventually death – that’s how important sleep is.

But even if you do sleep each night, the length of time you’re getting shut-eye and the quality of that sleep is important, and will affect your appearance noticeably.

Children are the greatest gift life can bring, changing our lives forever and introducing us to an unconditional love that is found nowhere else…

That being said, pregnancy can also be a nightmare! It is a time of radical change, and not always for the good. In the space of a short time, a woman’s body changes in many ways, often totally unexpectedly.

Pregnancy affects everyone differently, with some women breezing through with no problems, while others struggle with their appearance so much, it genuinely makes them think about having a second child.
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If you’re one of the unlucky ones who gets the short end of the stick, here are three things you may have to prepare for…