Varicose (i.e. swollen) veins are not a welcomed occurrence for anyone, female or male. Though they do affect more women — 1 in 3 will develop them, especially during pregnancy — varicose veins will surface for men, as well, but with less frequency. Genetics and obesity can increase a person’s risk for developing these abnormally functioning veins.
Professional dermatologists, like those at Your Laser Skin Care who provide Los Angeles-based vein therapy, can treat these swollen veins. More on that later.
What are varicose veins?
The blue or purple veins are rather unsightly. They usually occur in the leg area but can surface on other areas of the body like the face and torso.
Varicose veins are veins that are no longer functioning properly. The veins’ valves, which prevent blood on its way to the heart from flowing the other way, stop working. The walls of the veins are weakened as a result. Blood then pools in the weakened areas and further stretches the vein walls. The vein will become swollen and visible just beneath the skin’s surface.
Are varicose veins painful?
They can be, as they can create an aching and heavy feeling in the leg area. Itchiness also is a common side effect. And they can cause swollen ankles and feet and cramping muscles. In general, they can cause some discomfort.
Why does pregnancy cause varicose veins?
Varicose veins and pregnancy do not always go hand in hand, but they are a fairly common occurrence. With a growing fetus and expanding uterus, more weight is pushing on pelvis veins. One of those veins is the largest one in the body, the inferior vena cava. The major blood vessel, which runs along the body’s right side, carries blood from the lower extremities and the pelvis. Pressure on this vein makes it harder for the blood to get from the legs back to the heart, which can cause swollen veins
Also, the pregnancy hormone progesterone helps to relax blood vessel walls, which can contribute to varicose veins.
Often, varicose veins improve following pregnancy. It helps if you don’t cross your legs while sitting at your desk at work. Sitting or standing for a long time isn’t recommended. Moving around every 30 minutes will help with circulation. And maintaining a balanced diet — reducing the possibility for excessive weight gain in a short period of time during pregnancy — can help keep varicose veins at bay. Compression stockings
But what if they don’t improve?
The Los Angeles vein therapy specialists at Your Laser Skin Care can help. Our laser vein therapy can treat small spider veins and varicose veins. As lasers continue to improve, so have the methods to treat blemishes like dilated or broken blood vessels. These treatments are faster and more effective than ever before. Your Laser Skin Care uses a Yag laser, which is a beam of high-intensity light, that administers a controlled amount of heat to target blood vessels. It also contains a cooling device that protects the top layers of skin.
For more information about our treatments (and other services, such as Botox and Latisse), visit us online at www.yourlaserskincare.com, or call one of our vein therapy specialists in Los Angeles for a free consultation at (323) 525-1516.
