Laser Treatment for Varicose Veins
Millions of both men and women are bothered by the embarrassment and discomfort of spider veins on their legs or faces. Spider veins are those small red, blue and sometimes purple blood vessels that appear on the surface of the skin and are usually asymptomatic. In some circumstances, when the spider veins get larger in size or surface area they can cause some minor symptoms.
A varicose vein is an entirely different animal. These are tortuous large veins that have lost the function of the one-way valves that keep the blood from pooling. Without those valves, the blood pools in the veins and decreases the ability to adequately perfuse oxygen to the tissue and remove waste from a specific area of a leg. Treatment for varicose veins has progressed over the years. Initially, individuals were recommended to sit with their feet elevated as much as possible during the day. Next, manufacturers produced support hose which helped to move the blood along in the venous system towards the heart. Surgeons then began using a veins stripping technique where the vein itself was removed from the body. Today, less invasive treatments are available, such as sclerotherapy and laser treatment that causes the veins to collapse and eventually become reabsorbed by the body.