Celebrating 20 Years of the BAS: A Journey of Innovation in Sclerotherapy
Haroun Gajraj
Phlebologist with a Special Interest in Sclerotherapy & Board Member British Association of Sclerotherapists
Can you believe it's been 20 years since the British Association of Sclerotherapists (BAS) held its first meeting? ??
It all started with a phone call to a beauty salon... and a bit of "car crash" humour! ??
It's incredible to think how far sclerotherapy has come in the UK. For years, we lagged behind the rest of the world, but that all changed two decades ago with the formation of the BAS.
I had the pleasure of chatting with Emma Davies, my fellow BAS co-founder, about this milestone anniversary. We reminisced about the early days – how we joined forces to elevate sclerotherapy standards in the UK.
Emma was truly the driving force behind the BAS.
I was a newly appointed consultant vascular surgeon in the NHS, skilled in treating varicose veins and venous disease, but clueless about spider veins. Emma, a talented aesthetic practitioner, was already making waves in microsclerotherapy. Our partnership was born from a shared passion for advancing vein care.
Together, we pioneered hands-on microsclerotherapy training, introduced shortwave diathermy for facial veins, and established the BAS as the leading voice for sclerotherapy in the UK.
We even launched the first combined leg and face hands-on vein courses – hauling fold-up couches in a van, fuelled by youthful energy and enthusiasm! Those were the days! ??
Emma has gone on to achieve amazing things, championing patient safety and education through organisations like the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses, Save Face, and the groundbreaking Complications in Medical Aesthetics Collaborative (CMAC).
It's been an incredible journey, and I'm immensely proud of what we've accomplished together. The BAS continues to thrive, providing a vital platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration between vascular surgeons and aesthetic practitioners.
Take Action:
Join us in celebrating this milestone anniversary at the 20th Annual BAS Meeting on 20th May 2025! It's a fantastic opportunity to connect with colleagues, learn about the latest advancements in sclerotherapy, and be part of the future of vein care in the UK.
#sclerotherapy #veintreatment #BAS #veincare #aesthetics #medicaleducation #collaboration #innovation #20thanniversary