All You Need to Know About Varicose Veins

Have you noticed bulging, twisted, blue-tinted lines under the surface of your skin? With age, varicose veins occur in both men and women. However, females are twice as likely to develop this condition—especially after their twenties. While any vein in the body can become varicose, they are most commonly seen in legs and feet. Varicose veins don’t usually lead to medical problems, however, they can cause mild pain and are not aesthetically pleasing. Fortunately, there are laser skin treatments that can improve or even eliminate the appearance of these veins. This is what you should know about varicose veins.

How to distinguish spider veins from varicose veins?

While both commonly affect the veins in the lower limbs, they are different conditions.
Spider veins are small, thin, blue-tinted blood vessels just below the skin’s surface. They are usually harmless and easily removed with laser skin treatments. However, in some cases they can bleed and lead to a more serious condition. The tiny, dilated blood vessels can be a symptom of poor circulation and varicose vein formation.
Varicose veins are thick, gnarled veins where blood has pooled. These rope-like veins are more painful than spider veins and protrude out of legs. Furthermore, besides being more unaesthetically pleasing than spider veins, varicose veins can lead to issues such as blood clots and other circulatory problems.

What can cause Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins can develop due to a few different factors.
Hereditary – Varicose veins are genetic and can be inherited from either or both parents, however, there is a chance it can skip generations.
Pregnancy – Women are more likely to develop varicose veins during their pregnancy. The volume of blood in the body of a pregnant woman is higher than in one who is not expecting a child; causing an increased pressure on the circulatory system. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can also play a role.
Obesity – Similarly to pregnant women, being overweight can increase the risk of developing varicose veins by placing extra pressure on the circulatory system.
Hormonal Changes – Hormone level changes or hormone imbalances can relax blood vessel walls leading to a higher risk in developing varicose veins. Taking hormone replacement therapies or birth control pills can increase the risk of varicose veins.

Can you prevent them?

Because of their inherited nature, varicose veins can’t be fully prevented. However, frequent exercise and circulation-boosting activities such as swimming, walking and climbing stairs can help keep them at bay.

How to treat the varicose veins?

Nowadays, varicose vein treatments are very advanced. The most popular method to treat this condition is laser technology. Laser treatments consist on light-based wavelengths that are administered to the affected areas, offsetting dilations’ reaction by safely destroying the blood vessels. Depending on the condition of the affected veins, laser treatments can completely erase their appearance.
For more information on varicose veins, how to remove them and laser skin treatment specials we offer at North Scottsdale Laser & Skin Care Clinic, schedule a free consultation with our specialists.