Beauty Doc Blog

There is nothing more frustrating than working hard to sculpt and perfect your legs, only to find that a varicose or spider vein mars the surface. All the attention will be taken from your shapely calves and instead directed toward the blue or purple veins that cover the surface.

Veins can also appear on the face, inside of the legs or the arms. They are often the culprits for the bluish tinge just below the surface of the skin. Although these veins are unsightly and often frustrating, all is not lost – there are several treatment options to banish the blue bulge forever.

What is the difference between varicose and spider veins?

Varicose veins are thick and twisted, and appear to bulge over the surface of the skin. They are usually found on your calves, although they can also be found on the inside of the leg.

Spider veins are smaller in size and are often closer to the surface of the skin. They are given the name “spider” because they appear to spider out from one location and are often found in a web-like cluster. They can be found on the face, upper leg, calves or arms.

How to treat veins

There are several options for treating varicose and spider veins. The treatment depends on the severity, depth, thickness and location of the veins. A consultation with your doctor regarding vein removal will indicate the type of veins that you display.

One way to treat veins is by a process known as sclerotherapy. This works by an injection made by your doctor right into the vein(s). The injected fluid will cause the walls of the vein to swell and eventually close up, leaving only a scar behind that will fade in color with time.

As laser technology improves, it is becoming an increasingly viable option for those looking to remove spider or varicose veins. A laser light will be directed to the vein, and it will cause the vein to collapse. This is an extremely precision-oriented way to treat veins, as the laser light is direct and focused.

After treatment

Veins will not come back after you have treated them using one of the many plastic surgery options available to you. However, some more resistant veins may require multiple procedures. Also, although the original vein will not come back, other, similar veins may eventually surface in the same area as your treatment.

The breakthroughs in cosmetic surgery have made varicose and spider vein treatment a very real option for those looking for a clear, smooth skin surface. Your legs, face and arms can be completely free of veins after only a few treatments, and you can be vein-free in time for the warmer weather.