Having visible legs on your veins may be a source of self-consciousness. Although these vein concerns are common, several treatments can improve your appearance. Learn more about how you can treat spider veins and varicose veins at VENUS Vein Clinic in Omaha, NE.
What’s the Difference Between Spider Veins and Varicose Veins?
To find the best treatment for your aesthetic concerns, it’s important to correctly identify which vein condition you have. Spider or thread veins are thin, spindly veins that branch out on your skin. Usually, these veins are pink, red, or purple.
Varicose or tumescent veins are typically much larger and have a raised, bulging appearance. These veins are typically darker and can distend from your skin, which makes them very noticeable. These types of veins may also ache throughout the day.
Are These Veins a Cause for Concern?
Typically, these superficial vein concerns are not associated with serious medical conditions. Although you may discuss these vein concerns with your primary care physician, it’s unlikely that your doctor will identify any cardiovascular health concerns. Instead, the presence of these veins may indicate you have other health concerns, such as being overweight.
What Causes These Vein Conditions?
In general, these vein concerns happen when the vein wall is damaged or stressed by increased blood pressure. When the vein wall is damaged, it loses elasticity and eventually rises to the surface of the skin to become visible. As for what causes the stress of increased blood pressure on leg veins, a few common causes include:
Hormones
For many, hormones are the most common cause of these vein concerns. Many women who are pregnant often develop vein concerns during pregnancy, Women who have extreme hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle may also be more likely to develop these vein concerns.
Lifestyle
Certain lifestyle factors can also contribute to developing these vein conditions. As mentioned before, being overweight can place additional stress on the veins in the legs, which can cause these vein concerns to develop. Additionally, people who stand or sit for long periods are also at a higher risk of developing these conditions.
How Can You Treat These Vein Concerns?
Although preventing these vein concerns can be challenging, there are several things you can do to reduce the appearance of swollen veins in the legs. Selecting the treatment that is most appropriate for your vein concerns will depend on your age, general health, and the severity of your leg vein condition. The most common treatments include:
Laser Vein Ablation
Laser vein ablation is a minimally invasive treatment that can be used to correct the appearance of bloated veins on the legs. This treatment works by using heat to irritate the vein, which then causes the vein walls to collapse and fade from view. This treatment is most appropriate for larger vein concerns, but may also be used for moderate thread veins.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is likely the most popular treatment to address vein concerns on the legs. Sclerotherapy is minimally invasive and works by using a saline-based solution to irritate the vein walls. When these walls collapse, blood flow is diverted to nearby healthy veins and the swollen veins are eventually absorbed by the body. Sclerotherapy can be appropriate for all types of vein concerns.
Ambulatory Phlebectomy
This particular treatment is most appropriate for large tumescent veins that do not respond to laser treatments or sclerotherapy. This is an outpatient procedure that works by removing veins from the legs. Although this treatment is more invasive than other options, it can be an ideal solution for those who have severe vein concerns.
How Should You Prepare for Treatment?
To prepare for any vein treatment, you will need to stop the use of certain medications and supplements that can affect your blood pressure or blood consistency. Unless otherwise directed by your physician, you should stop using these medications and supplements for at least one week before your treatment.
Additionally, you should not shave the desired treatment area for at least 48 hours before your appointment. Do not wear perfume, lotion, or body oil to your appointment.
What Is Your Recovery Like?
Overall, the recovery time for these treatments is usually one to two weeks. During your recovery, you may be instructed to wear compression hose or socks to speed up your healing. Usually, you will be restricted from strenuous activity and intense exercise for several days after your treatment.
Are You a Good Candidate?
If you have mild, moderate, or severe vein concerns in your legs, you’re likely a good candidate for treatments to reduce the appearance of your vein condition. A consultation is necessary to assess your health and to identify the treatment that is most appropriate for your needs.
Reduce the Appearance of Your Vein Concerns
Whether you have a few small spider veins, large varicose veins, or a combination of both, you can reduce the appearance of these vein concerns when you use the right aesthetic treatments. From sclerotherapy to more invasive treatment methods, you can enjoy smooth, youthful-looking legs in a matter of weeks. Contact VENUS Vein Clinic in Omaha, NE to schedule your first appointment today.