FYI Cosmetics

Varicose veins are a true problem for many men and women, which is why treatments such as vein stripping have been developed. Everyone wants to have soft, smooth skin, however only a healthy skin can give you these attributes. Varicose veins not only cause problems on the inside of your body, they also can be visually unappealing. Enlarged, distended and twisted varicose veins that lie at the surface of the skin are both a medical and cosmetic problem. Those men and women suffering from the condition of varicose veins often go to great lengths to remove them. Over the years, many vein removal treatments have been developed, but the vein stripping procedure has proven to be both reliable and effective.

There are many factors that lead to the formation of varicose veins; the most prominent include genetics, gender, weight, age and the amount of strain that is put on the legs. Varicose veins are large, bluish in color and tend to protrude or bulge from the lower and/or upper legs. The bulging occurs as a result of a buildup of blood within the vein due to incompetent valves. Inside each vein reside valves that help to compartmentalize blood flow to the extremities; compartmentalizing the blood enables the body to be able to control blood flow as the heart pumps. Each beat of our heart pushes small amounts of blood through each vein segment, but when valves become damaged, more blood remains within specific vein segments, which cause these segments to expand. Over time, the expansion continually increases which leads to bulging—the bulging brings the vein closer to the surface.

Many individuals can live with varicose veins their entire lives and never have any problems, yet others can experience some or all of the symptoms associated with this type of vein damage. Some of the most common symptoms experienced include an achy or heavy feeling in your legs, significant pain after sitting or standing for an extended period of time, burning, throbbing, muscle cramping and swelling, itching, or skin ulcers. If patients experience these symptoms on a persistent basis or have a large portion of damaged veins, then a vein removal treatment such as vein stripping may be required.

Vein stripping is a surgical procedure designed to remove large varicose veins from the upper and lower legs. Vein stripping is performed in order to relieve the symptoms associated with varicose veins as well as improve the cosmetic appearance of the leg. Depending on the patient and the severity of the veins, either a local or a general anesthesia will be administered. Before the procedure beings, your physician will perform an ultrasound on the area in order to establish vein function and identify any blood clots that may be present. Once set, the physician will begin with an incision in the groin area in order to locate and mark the veins being treated and all its branches. Another incision is made at the ankle; a “stripper” is inserted throughout the leg to pull the vein out. The remaining ends of the veins are tied off or ligated in order to prevent the reoccurrence of varicose veins.

Once the treatment is completed, the incisions will be closed with sutures and the leg will be wrapped in a compression bandage in order to help minimize bruising and swelling. Some downtime will be required, and patients could experience some or all of the side effects including pain, bruising, bleeding, swelling, numbness and infection. If experienced at all, these side effects are minimal and short lived. Within 7 to 10 days, patients can resume their normal daily activities, all while enjoying their smooth, vein free legs. For those looking to treat unsightly varicose veins, consider vein stripping.

Anyone searching for vein treatments knows the embarrassment and aggravation that can be felt due to visible, unwanted spider and varicose veins. The harsh red, purple and blue lines can truly stand out whether they reside on the face or on the legs and can cause many individuals to become self conscious. What many individuals may not know is that both varicose and spider veins become present because of vein damage; which is why once they appear, they will never disappear. There are many other causes for their appearance as well, but the most important thing for vein sufferers to know is that now there is something you can do about it.

Both men and women suffer from unsightly veins, however women tend to be more prone to venous abnormalities; it has been estimated that over twenty-five per cent of adult females are currently suffering with some type of vein problem. Whether man or women, or whether suffering with spider or varicose veins, know that there are several treatments currently available that can help to diminish their appearance with lasting results. In order to choose the treatment that is right for you, it is first essential that you determine exactly which type of vein disorder you have.

The two main types of vein disorders are spider veins and varicose veins. Spider veins, also known as telangiectasias, are the small, thin red and purple veins that lie very close to the surface of the skin and are prevalent on both the face and the legs. These veins keep their color because they are still connected to the deeper venous system, however because they are damaged, they serve no purpose and therefore can be removed without altering normal vein function. There are several causes for these small, spider like veins to appear and some of the most common are hereditary, sun damage, trauma, certain medications and certain disease processes.

Varicose veins are much larger and deeper than spider veins, and more often than not tend to bulge from the surface of the skin. Varicose veins form due to valve malfunction within veins. When the valves become damaged they allow blood to reflux back into the vein which can cause the vein to swell. Over time, this swelling leads to vein expansion and the bulges gravitate towards the surface of the skin. The end result is the bluish, bulge-like veins that appear on the legs. There are several causes for varicose veins, the most prominent of which are heredity, weight, hormones, trauma, gender, prolonged standing or venous disorders.

Depending on the type of venous ailment you currently suffer with, there are several vein treatment types available to assist in removal.

Sclerotherapy: Sclerotherapy is primarily used for spider veins and is the process of injecting a hypertonic saline or other concentrated solution into the damaged vessel. The solution irritates the vein which causes it to swell, effectively pushing out the blood and then shutting itself down. Several sessions may be needed in order to completely clear the veins.

Laser Vein Removal: Laser vein removal can be used to treat spider veins and some smaller varicose veins. The laser energy targets and cauterizes the veins, effectively cutting off the blood supply. Once blood is no longer supplied to the vein, it will be naturally absorbed and expelled by the body. Smaller varicose veins (those that are 3mm and less in diameter) can be treated with this method, but larger veins will require other treatment options.

Ambulatory Phlebectomy: Ambulatory phlebectomys are very beneficial for treating varicose veins. The process consists of making small incisions over the line of the vein through which the vein is then pulled out with a surgical hook. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and the incisions are so small they do not even require sutures.

EVLT: Endovenous laser treatments (EVLT) are varicose vein treatments that utilize an internal laser probe and Doppler imaging to cauterize the veins with the heat from the laser light. Sealing the veins will inhibit blood flow, causing the vein walls to collapse and be absorbed by the body.

Vein Stripping: The vein stripping treatment uses ligation to eliminate unwanted varicose veins. Generally the vein will be tied off at the upper end and then the remainder is surgically removed. This procedure is no longer widely used because it is highly invasive and requires significant recovery time. In addition, patients experience visible scarring.

Whether you are looking to treat unsightly spider veins or complication causing varicose veins, consult with your physician today and determine which treatment is right for your own particular needs.