What are leg veins?
Leg veins are twisted blood vessels visible through the skin, at times causing pain. There are two types of visible leg veins that commonly develop anywhere along the body. One are varicose veins, which appear large, raised, and swollen. Varicose veins develop due to faulty valves that weaken the blood vessel walls. The other type are spider veins, which are smaller, reddish to purple vessels. These usually occur within the capillaries, or the body’s smallest vessels, and commonly show a web-like pattern.
Did you know…
Spider veins affect around 25% of adults in the United States, whereas varicose and spider veins typically affect women more than men, increasing in occurrence with age.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes leg veins?
Varicose and spider veins can be caused by several factors including genetics, obesity, hormonal imbalances, and occupations that require long-term standing up. Trauma or injury to the skin can also lead to the development of leg veins. People with a history of blood clots or increased pressure throughout the abdomen typically have an increased risk to varicose or spider veins.
What are the symptoms of leg veins?
People with varicose veins report pain, cramping, and/or aches throughout the legs. Other symptoms can include burning, throbbing, and heaviness in the legs. In women, these symptoms can worsen during menstrual cycles and pregnancy.
How are leg veins treated?
Our practice treats leg veins, both varicose and spider veins, in multiple ways. These treatment options can range from at-home methods to minor surgeries. While conservative methods will be used first to help provide better means for treatment, surgical procedures are available for patients who don’t succeed with at-home and non-surgical methods.
These treatments include:
- Laser Treatments: Laser works to reduce spider veins and small varicose veins by shrinking the vessels without harming the skin.
- Radiofrequency Ablation: Radiofrequency ablation works with radiofrequency devices that directly target the vein to heat up and seal.
What is the recovery time for a leg vein treatment?
During your consultation, your provider will discuss each treatment and their recovery times. They typically depend on the type of treatment, the area treated, and your medical history. Be sure to share your medical history prior to the treatment to enhance the evaluation. You may also require multiple sessions of treatment to fully destroy the leg veins.
Contact our office to schedule a consultation for your leg vein treatments. Borealis Dermatology offers two convenient locations to provide various treatments for our patients in the Queens and Long Island areas. You can experience the highest medical and aesthetic expertise available through our treatment options by visiting our clinic.