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Leg Veins

WHAT ARE LEG VEINS?
Arteries bring blood from the heart to the extremities, veins, which have one-way valves, channel blood back to the heart. If the valves don't function well, blood doesn't flow efficiently. The leg veins become enlarged because they are congested with blood. These enlarged leg veins are commonly called spider veins or varicose veins.Spider veins are small red, blue or purple veins on the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are larger distended veins that are located somewhat deeper than spider veins

WHAT CAUSES VARICOSE VEINS?

Heredity is the number one contributing factor causing varicose and spider veins. Women are more likely to suffer from abnormal leg veins. Up to 50% of American women may be affected. Hormonal factors including puberty, pregnancy, menopause, the use of birth control pills, estrogen, and progesterone affect the disease. It is very common for pregnant women to develop varicose veins during the first trimester. Pregnancy causes increases in hormone levels and blood volume which in turn cause veins to enlarge. In addition, the enlarged uterus causes increased pressure on the veins. Varicose veins due to pregnancy often improve within 3 months after delivery. However, with successive pregnancies, abnormal veins are more likely to remain. Other predisposing factors include aging, standing occupations, obesity and leg injury

Special Procedures

SCLEROTHERAPY OF SPIDER VEINS

In our office we use a very fine needle to inject a substance into veins up to 1/4 inch in diameter. The chemical we use does not burn, cause redness or procedure scars as some other chemicals do. It causes the veins to gradually close off over a 3 to 4 week period. The procedure must be repeated 2 to 4 times, 4 weeks apart, for complete clearing, so the treatments should be started in the winter for clearing by Spring

PHOTODERM OF SPIDER VEINS

This latest technology uses a micro-second flash of intense light to treat dilated veins. This is not a laser but a bright white light delivered through special filters to obliterate small veins without damaging the skin. This is especially useful for dilated veins over the face as in rosacea. It is not painful, but requires two to four treatment sessions to clear the veins. No injections or anesthesia are required.