Unsightly spider and varicose veins in the legs can really ruin a summer look. It’s very hard to hide your legs in bathing suits, sun dresses, and shorts. And unlike blemishes on other parts of the body, makeup doesn’t cover veins up very well.
Spider and varicose veins
Spider and varicose veins are, unfortunately, very common in women, affecting around 55 percent of all women. They are the highly visible dark red and blue veins seen twisting and turning just under the skin. If the veins are small, they are called spider veins; if they are big, they are called varicose veins. Both tend to appear in the legs after the age of 30.
The primary cause of these veins is genetics – if your mother and aunts have them, you’ll probably develop them too. Spending long hours standing, being overweight, and taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy can increase the risk of spider and varicose veins developing.
Symptoms
Spider veins are unsightly, but otherwise tend to not cause any problems. They don’t lead to pain or swelling the way varicose veins do. Varicose veins, being larger, can lead to swelling, discomfort, and a tired feeling in the legs. Sometimes they tingle or burn, but elevating the legs can help ease the discomfort.
Treatments
Once a spider vein or varicose vein forms, there really is no treatment other than removal. Compression stockings can help relieve the symptoms of varicose veins. Weight loss and regular exercise can also improve the symptoms. A number of different methods have been invented for removing these veins. One of the least invasive methods of removal is laser vein therapy.
Surface Laser Vein Removal
Surface laser vein treatments apply bursts of light from a laser through the skin to heat up spider veins and smaller varicose veins. The laser heats up the veins and makes them slowly disappear. A surface laser vein treatment takes about 20 minutes, and most veins will need 2 to 3 treatments to disappear completely, with around six weeks between treatments. The procedure doesn’t require any incision into the skin, but can be somewhat uncomfortable. Patients can return to regular activities immediately. Side effects at the treatment site can include:
- Minor pain
- Temporary redness
- Temporary skin discoloration
Endoscopic Laser Vein Removal
For large varicose veins, surface laser treatments can be less effective. In these cases, a local anesthetic is applied to the skin. A tiny incision is made and the laser is inserted into the vein through a tiny tube. The laser is then applied to the vein from inside the vein, shrinking and collapsing the vein. This minimally invasive treatment is very effective, completely removing the vein in 94 percent of cases. Minor pain and bruising may occur.
Candidates
Most spider veins and most varicose veins can be treated with lasers. Only extremely large or deep varicose veins require more invasive treatments. Because laser treatments are simple and either non-invasive or minimally invasive, they pose few risks to health.
If you’re ready to finally be rid of your spider or varicose veins, contact Rejuvenate MedSpa today to schedule your consultation. Our team will work with you to figure out the most effective treatment option for you. Your comfort is our top priority, and we’ll help you quickly and safely get the results you want.