Many things can make the human skin look unappealing, the most common of which are wrinkles, uneven skin tone, rough texture, brown spots, scars, or stretch marks. The appearance of large and bulging veins is one of the more uncommon examples. Why do these veins appear, and what is the best method for vein removal – those are a couple of the many questions this post will answer.
Why Do Large, Bulging Veins Appear?
The appearance of large, bulging veins most prevalently develops around the ankles, thighs, knees, and even on the face. Although the appearance of these veins can be caused by an accident, sun damage, or genetics, they are most frequent among pregnant women and people who are obese.
The medical term for this health occurrence is varicose veins.
What are Varicose Veins?
Enlarged, swollen, twisting, and discolored veins are varicose veins. They are either blue or dark purple. According to the Journal of the American Heart Association, as much as 23% of all adults worldwide and around one in four American adults have varicose veins.
Varicose veins appear when the blood does not flow properly due to the valves in the veins not working as they should. They are most common among pregnant women and overweight individuals. Although varicose veins in themselves are not a cause of concern medically, they can become so severe that aching legs, spider veins, and swollen ankles become issues.
Complications from varicose veins are infrequent but severe. It is highly advisable to seek medical intervention if varicose veins cause ulcers, bleeding, or swelling due to blood clots. Exercise, elevating your legs, and compression socks will relieve the pain of varicose veins gone rogue but not treat the problem.
Cosmetically speaking, varicose veins can also be damaging. So what are the treatments to eradicate large, bulging, and ugly veins? Here are all the procedures, how they work, and their potential side effects.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment for large, bulging, and visible veins. In this vein removal procedure, the healthcare professional injects the veins with a solution or foam that forms a scar and closes the veins. The veins will vanish in a few weeks.
The treatment is composed of tiny injections; therefore, no anesthesia is required. Although the same vein may need multiple injections, sclerotherapy is highly effective if done correctly and professionally.
Side Effects
The most prevalent side effects of sclerotherapy are cramping, stinging, or burning sensations in the injected vein due to the sclerosing agent at work. But if the injection is not done right and the sclerosing agent leaks into surrounding tissues, the procedure can become painful.
Other common side effects are bruising, swelling, skin discoloration, brown spots, discomfort, and small, blister-like dots around the injection sites. These side effects should subside in a few days after the treatment. But in some cases, the brown lines or spots can last for several months, or even permanently.
The more severe side effects of sclerotherapy are:
- Allergic reaction to the sclerosing agent
- Blood clotting around the treatment site
- Ulceration around the treatment site
- Inflammation
Stay in touch with the healthcare professional just in case side effects persist.
Ligation and Stripping
This procedure sounds intimidating, but it is considered minimally invasive! The treatment involves making small incisions around the target vein.
The doctor cuts off the blood supply to the offending vein by tying it right where it branches from a source vein. Then, the doctor threads a thin and flexible wire through the other end of the vein and pulls the vein out. The procedure does not require admittance to a hospital.
Side Effects
Ligation and stripping can sometimes result in bleeding, bruising, and pain. But the more severe side effect is deep vein thrombosis – which is blood clots forming in a deep vein.
The removal of the veins near the skin’s surface will not affect the amount of blood flowing into the legs or arms. Deep veins are responsible for most of the blood in those areas, anyway.
It takes around three weeks of recovery time before patients can return to their regular activities. Doctors recommend wearing compression socks or stockings during the recovery period.
Radiofrequency Ablation
For this treatment, the doctor will make a small incision at the entrance of the vein. Then, with the help of an ultrasound scan, a catheter (narrow, medical tube) is intertwined into the vein. Lastly, the doctor inserts a probe that emits radiofrequency energy, which heats the vein and causes its walls to collapse.
Radiofrequency ablation vein removal treatment requires anesthesia.
Side Effects
A slight burning sensation or hypersensitivity over the injection site is a potential side effect of radiofrequency ablation. You may also feel numbness or a tingling sensation around the area. Swelling, bruising, and discomfort are also common side effects.
The symptoms can last from a few days to a few weeks.
Laser Treatment Vein Removal
Laser therapy is the perfect treatment for small varicose veins, for the veins that do not harm medically but can make the skin appear unappealing. Of all the procedures discussed here, laser treatment is the least invasive.
The doctor closes off veins using small bursts of high-intensity light. The light delivers a thin beam of radiation that closes, shrinks, causes scar tissue to form in the vein, effectively sealing the vein shut.
There is no need for incisions or injections if you opt for laser treatment.
Side Effects
Serious side effects of laser treatment for small varicose veins are extremely rare. The more common side effects are slight discomfort, numbness, tingling, a burning sensation, slight discoloration, minor swelling, bruising, or redness. These symptoms should not persist for more than a few days.
If side effects do not subside after a while, let your doctor know.
Who Do You Talk to About Visible Vein Removal and Beauty Concerns?
Biorestoration Medical & Aesthetics is the best and most advanced health clinic in all of Utah. We specialize in many fields, including aesthetics. We believe that your journey towards becoming as beautiful as you feel commences with the relationship between our professional staff and you.
Schedule a consultation with us to address your concerns about vein removal and create a personalized treatment plan to help you feel your best.
