What Are Spider Veins aka Varicose Veins?
Spider veins (telangiectasias) – also known as varicose veins – are those tiny, unsightly blood vessels that seem to pop up as we age. The most common places to see them are on the legs and the face. Patients often ask about what causes these vessels to develop and whether they can be treated.
Preventing Varicose Veins
Unfortunately, there is little that can be done to prevent them from showing up. The biggest risk factor is genetics. If your mom and grandmother and sisters all have spider veins, it’s likely that you will too at some point. Lifestyle choices like smoking, obesity and extended periods of sitting or standing decrease the circulation in your lower legs will increase your risk of developing spider and varicose veins.
Treating Varicose Veins
If you already have spider veins, there are some simple things that you can do to improve them. Increasing the strength and muscle mass of your lower legs will improve the circulation by acting as a pump which pushes the blood back up your legs. You can also wear compression stockings to help with upward circulation. You can also treat varicose veins with laser therapy at Imagen.
1064 Nd:YAG
At Imagen, we use a 1064 Nd:YAG laser to selectively target the hemoglobin within the blood vessels, decreasing the risk of damage to surrounding tissues. This allows treatment of smaller vessels in addition to the somewhat larger ones. Most patients need multiple treatments to get the results that they desire and you will likely need touch up treatments as new vessels form. As with any cosmetic procedure there are risks, the most common being bruising and some discomfort.
