Woman’s smooth legs crossed after sclerotherapyYou may be embarrassed to expose your legs because of varicose and spider veins. Fortunately, there are a couple of leg vein treatments that may be options for you. To determine if you’re a good candidate, please call us at 250-591-1566 to book a consultation.
What Causes Leg Veins?
At Synergy Medical Aesthetics, we often see patients who want to eliminate the appearance of “spider veins.” Spider veins are thin, twisting configurations of visible veins on your legs, and they look similar to a spider web. Other leg veins may be straight, or appear in no particular pattern across your skin. Leg veins are deep blue, purple or red, and they can make you feel really self-conscious about your appearance.
Varicose veins are typically larger. They often look like gnarled ropes beneath the skin, and are also deep blue or purplish in color. Varicose veins can cause pain and discomfort.
So what causes these issues? It has to do with the valves in your veins. Normally, the valves open up as blood is pumped back to your heart through the vein. If the valve doesn’t close properly, some blood may leak backward into the vein instead of getting pumped to the heart. As this blood builds up over time, it causes pressure that enlarges the vein and weakens the vein walls, leading to the appearance of spider and varicose veins.
Women are more likely than men to be affected by these vein problems. Other risk factors include obesity and family history. You may also be more likely to develop these issues if you sit or stand for long periods of time, without changing your position or taking breaks to walk around. Varicose and spider veins are also more likely as you grow older because the vein walls weaken with age.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is the injection of a chemical into the vein. The chemical causes the vein to swell and seal shut, thereby blocking blood flow to that vein. Eventually, the vein turns into scar tissue and fades away. While you may see acceptable improvement after a single treatment, oftentimes a second session provides optimal results.
This time of year is a great time to get sclerotherapy. The treatment does tend to cause mild bruising for a few weeks. You’ll likely be in pants, stockings and leggings for the next few months anyway, so now may be the perfect timing for the procedure!
Laser Treatment for Leg Veins
Leg veins can also be treated with a laser. Laser treatment may work better for veins that are too narrow for sclerotherapy. Laser treatment can also work well for visible veins on the face. This procedure works by sealing off targeted veins with laser energy. The skin and other tissues are unaffected.
Arrange a Consultation in Nanaimo
If you are interested in leg vein treatment at our practice, please call Synergy Medical Aesthetics at 250-591-1566. Dr. Barnsley can determine if sclerotherapy or laser treatment can restore smooth legs.
