Unsightly Leg Veins
Unsightly leg veins are extremely common and often embarrassing, affecting both men and women. They are often referred to as thread veins, spider veins, venous flares or broken veins. They can look unsightly and appear over part or the whole of the legs. The appearance often affects what people wear and ladies will often wear long trousers even in the summer to cover them up.
Unsightly Leg Veins – Thread veins are different to varicose veins which are larger and palpable, so you can feel them in the skin. Varicose veins can signify an underlying problem with the venous pump in the legs and disease of the veins or the valves and may require surgical treatment. Varicose veins can also lead to additional problems in the skin including eczema, pigmentation and sometimes ulceration.
Thread veins are not considered to be a medical problem, only affecting the superficial veins and is more of a cosmetic problem. The actual cause of thread veins is unknown, although it is thought to be partly genetic and partly due to other factors (including prolonged standing, sunlight exposure, hormones and alcohol) however some people seem to develop a lot more than others.
The gold standard treatment for thread veins is by injection of a sclerosant (sclerotherapy) into the vein to try and break down the wall of the vein and thereby get rid of it. It has been the best treatment for many years and considered safe and effective. Microsclerotherapy is ideal for unsightly thread veins. Small varicose veins can also be treated using foam sclerotherapy, this is performed at Cosmedic Skin Clinic by Dr Martyn King who is also a Board Member of the British Association of Sclerotherapists. For thread veins that are present on other areas of the body including the face, light based treatments can be used.
Only a small impact on lines and wrinkles but very good for skin rejuvenation.
The gold standard treatment for unsightly leg veins, can treat many veins during one session, various strengths used according to size and depth of veins, treatments often performed using a Veinlite to improve results further. Several treatments may be required.