As summer approaches, you may feel a little uncomfortable with the appearance of your veins. Whether you suffer from varicose veins or have spider veins, they can be an unappealing cosmetic feature. While the weather gets warmer, you may want to start wearing fewer layers of clothing, but embarrassment from unsightly veins can often stop you from feeling comfortable in your skin.
Varicose veins are enlarged, bulging, cord-like veins that often appear on the legs and feet. They are a result of blood in the veins leaking in the wrong direction, causing the blood to pool. Symptoms of varicose veins include dark or purple veins that appear twisted, swollen, and lumpy. While for some they are merely a cosmetic issue, for others, they can cause aching or burning sensations, as well as cramping and heaviness in the affected limb.
Spider veins are small, thin veins that appear just underneath the skin, named for their spider-web appearance. Symptoms of spider veins can include aching, throbbing, swelling, burning, and cramping. They often look like thin red or blue lines that twist and turn just below the skin's surface, and they may form in any location but are most common on the face, neck, chest, arms, and legs.
Spider veins and varicose veins can cause discomfort and be cosmetically unappealing, but there are ways to get rid of them. A vascular specialist can help you with several treatments to improve their appearance and relieve your pain. That’s why we’ve outlined four ways a vascular specialist can help you get rid of unsightly veins and feel your most confident this summer.
1. Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is a common procedure that effectively treats both varicose and spider veins. This minimally invasive procedure involves injecting a solution called a sclerosant into the damaged vein to close it. When the sclerosant is injected into the blood vessel, the walls of the vein stick together and eventually close down. The veins are then reabsorbed into the body, eliminating the unhealthy veins. Blood can then be re-routed to healthier veins in the body in order to improve circulation.
This procedure is quick and painless, and most patients only need one 10 to 30-minute session. You won’t need a lengthy recovery period from this treatment - you can resume daily activities immediately after your session is finished. A vascular specialist can perform this procedure and recommend the best route of treatment for you to improve your veins.
2. Laser Ablation
Endovenous laser ablation (EVLT) is a minimally invasive treatment that uses a laser beam to treat vein disease. The laser will heat the walls of the vein until it closes, allowing your body to reabsorb the vein. Blood is then rerouted to healthy veins and blood flow is rapidly improved right after the treatment.
Some patients may experience temporary soreness or numbness afterward, but you can resume your normal activities within 24 hours of treatment. A vascular specialist can determine whether you are a good candidate for laser ablation through an evaluation. They may perform a venous ultrasound, a physical exam, and go over your medical history and personal goals with you to decide the best route of treatment.
3. Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses thermal energy to eliminate major varicose veins. Using local anesthesia, a thin catheter is inserted directly into the unhealthy vein. Thermal heat seals it off and allows the blood supply to be re-routed to healthy veins. RFA has a high success rate and has far fewer side effects than traditional surgery.
The procedure is performed in-office and typically only takes one hour to complete. Pain is minimal during the procedure, though some patients may experience temporary numbness or hypersensitivity near the injection site. Unlike surgery, there is no extensive downtime - recovery from RFA treatment only takes a couple of hours.
Radiofrequency ablation is an incredibly effective treatment for both the appearance and pain associated with varicose veins. A qualified vascular specialist at Star Veins & Aesthetics can determine whether or not you are a good candidate for the procedure.
4. Varithena
Varithena is a minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure that effectively treats the appearance and symptoms of varicose veins. After numbing the area, your vein doctor will inject a small amount of medicated foam using a catheter. This foam causes the vein to swell and close, resulting in blood flow to healthy veins in the body.
The procedure only requires local anesthesia and typically takes one hour or less to complete. Patients may feel some pressure during the injection and mild tenderness in the leg after the procedure, but the tenderness will dissipate shortly. Most patients can resume daily activities within 24 hours of their treatment. Varithena can improve your varicose veins without the hassle and downtime of surgery.
Varicose veins and spider veins can make it harder to enjoy your life the way you want to. Discomfort and self-consciousness should not be something you have to live with, especially when there are ways to get rid of them. If you are embarrassed about unsightly spider veins or want pain relief from varicose veins, reach out to the vascular specialists at Star Veins & Aesthetics. Our expert vein specialists have years of experience in treating a variety of issues derived from vein disease, including varicose veins and spider veins.
Star Veins & Aesthetics provides the latest aesthetic & vein treatment in Bay Shore, New York. It is our ongoing mission to help every one of our patients receive the treatment they need to feel great about their skin and body. Request an appointment online today, or call us at 516-606-7811!
