Most commonly found on your legs, varicose veins are enlarged veins that appear twisted. While they are not a serious medical condition, varicose veins are noticeable and unsightly. Those who have varicose veins often feel insecure and change their wardrove to cover them. If you have noticed varicose veins on your body you may wonder, what causes varicose veins?
What Causes Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins and spider veins are often referred to interchangeably. However, spider veins are a milder form of varicose veins. Spider veins are often red or blue and look similar to a spider web. They can appear on your legs and face and exist right under your skin. However, varicose veins are more enlarged, but they also appear right under the surface of your skin.
Varicose veins appear on your skin due to increased blood pressure in your veins. Your veins have one-way valves in them as your blood is carried upwards towards your heart. However, the valves can weaken over time making it difficult for the blood to pass through your veins and up towards your heart. When the valves weaken, the blood can pool up in your veins. When this happens, your veins become enlarged and stretch due to the pressure. The pressure gets greater if you sit or stand for long periods of time as the blood will pool in your legs.
If you are unsure if you have varicose veins, they often present similarly symptom-wise in every person. You may notice color changes, sores, or a rash on your legs. People sometimes notice sensations, such as a heaviness, burning, or aching. Spider veins and varicose veins are harmless in a medical sense. However, because varicose veins can present similarly to more serious conditions, it’s important to talk with a medical professional to be sure.
Risk Factors for Varicose Veins
There are a number of factors that can place you at a higher risk for varicose veins. While some of the factors are within your control, others are not. Consider adjusting certain habits to ensure you lower your risk for varicose veins.
- Smokers or tobacco users
- Using oral contraceptives or hormone replacements
- Living a sedentary lifestyle
- Sitting or standing for long periods
- Being pregnant
- Being a woman
- Age (more prevalent as you get older)
- Prior leg injuries
Varicose Vein Treatment in Bakersfield
If you have varicose veins, you may feel embarrassed or uncomfortable with them. Some women adjust their wardrobe to ensure they aren’t seen and often feel less confident about their appearance. You should not have to live with varicose veins as there are treatment options that can remove them to ensure you feel confident in whatever you wear. Below are the two most effective treatment methods for removing varicose veins.
- Sclerotherapy: This treatment utilizes an injectable solution into the area of your skin where varicose veins are present. The solution collapses and dissolves the problematic varicose veins.
- Laser Treatment: This varicose vein treatment in Bakersfield utilizes laser technology to get rid of your varicose veins. The laser specialist uses the laser to target the specific area where your varicose veins are to minimize their appearance.
Both Bakersfield laser treatments are minimally invasive and do not require surgery. The number of treatment sessions varies from patient to patient. We will discuss this at your consultation so you stay prepared. One of the major benefits of these treatments is that there is no downtime. After the treatment you’ll need to wear a compression garment to ensure the best results. If you have varicose veins, contact Bakersfield Medspa today for a consultation. Their team has helped countless patients restore their confidence by removing their varicose veins.
