Thread Veins Treatment
at Woodbury Dental and Laser Clinic in Kent
Varicose veins are veins that appear to be enlarged, abnormally thick, or full of visible twists and turns. Veins that have the tendency to become varicosed are those that are located on a person’s leg or thighs. Varicose veins are not only unattractive to look at – they can also cause vascular problems if not treated in their earliest stages.
Varicose veins are enlarged veins (usually found on the legs and thighs) that are swollen and raised above the surface of the skin. They can be coloured blue or dark purple, and can look twisted and bulging; they are said to develop when valves in the veins that allow blood to flow toward the heart stop working properly. As a result, blood pools in the veins – causing them to become abnormally enlarged.
Symptoms of Varicose Veins
Aside from the obvious appearance of varicose veins, here are additional symptoms that can be experienced when the veins become varicosed:
- Legs that often feel heavy, itchy, or painful
- Severe pain experienced in the legs upon standing up
- Leg cramps in the middle of the night
- Leg pain symptoms that can intensify after a long day of standing up.
- Veins that protrude or bulge from under the skin and may feel ropey.
Causes of Varicose Veins
The causes of varicose are still not completely known. It is believed that varicose veins are caused by the absence or weakness of valves in the veins, which results to poor venous circulation (blood flow in the veins). The valves that are located inside veins usually act to ensure proper blood flow is maintained inside the veins.
Weaknesses in the vein walls are also believed to be another cause of varicose veins, as weak vein walls cause the pooling of the blood. The walls of the blood vessels can become weaker and less competent than normal with the passage of time, causing the volume of blood in the veins to increase – and causing the veins to become enlarged and varicosed.
Less common causes of varicose veins include medical conditions, such as: any obstruction of blood flow that can lead to blood clots, congenital abnormalities of the veins, or phlebitis (vein inflammation).
Laser Treatment for Varicose Veins
Laser treatments are considered to be the best treatments possible for varicose veins. Laser vein removal is a quick, effective, and non-invasive way to treat the appearance of superficial varicose veins. A laser treatment for varicose veins involves targeting the wavelength of light to the pigment in the blood. The light energy is absorbed by the lining of the blood vessels, and by the blood within the blood vessels. The laser heats up the small vein and works to damage it, so that in a period of four to six weeks, the vein is reabsorbed by the body and eventually disappears. The advanced laser treatments allow the delivery of a precise dosage of energy to each blood vessel.
Other Treatment Options for Varicose Veins
Sclerotherapy – This procedure involves the injection of small- and medium-sized varicose veins with a solution that will scar and close those veins. In a few weeks, treated varicose veins are expected to fade. Sclerotherapy doesn’t require the administration of an anaesthetic.
Vein stripping – This procedure involves removing a long vein through a series of small incisions. The removal of the vein will not affect the circulation on the leg because veins that are located deeper in the leg can take on the responsibility of the circulation of larger volumes of blood.
Endoscopic vein surgery – This operation may only be needed in cases involving leg ulcers. The surgeon inserts a thin video camera into the leg to visualize and close varicose veins; the veins will then be removed using a series of small incisions.
Catheter-assisted procedures – This procedure is usually performed by the insertion of a thin tube (catheter) into an enlarged vein; the tip of the catheter will then be heated. As the catheter is pulled out, the heat will work on destroying vein by causing it to collapse and seal shut. This procedure is normally used for larger varicose veins.
Ambulatory phlebectomy – This procedure is performed by removing smaller varicose veins through a series of tiny skin punctures. Only the parts of the leg that are being pricked will be numbed with this particular procedure.
Blue Vein Removal in Kent
Blue veins can be visible in different parts of the body, especially if the individual has pale skin. Blue veins can be classified according to their size: enlarged blue veins are called varicose veins, while small blue veins are called spider veins. Blue veins may be seen on the legs and thighs, but they may also be visible on the face and the neck areas.
As the veins carry deoxygenated blood, they can appear blue and dark. The superficial veins in the arm can appear blue because they carry deoxygenated blood. In general, when the superficial veins get engorged with deoxygenated blood they appear dark blue and are visible through the skin.
Possible Causes of Blue Veins
Genetics – People who have relatives or family members who have blue veins are more prone to have blue vein problems as well. It is believed that genetics play a key role in the development of blue veins.
Obesity – Excessive weight can cause problems in blood circulation, and can cause veins to become abnormally enlarged. Blue veins are more visible on people who are obese, or who are overweight.
Blood Clotting Problems – Problems in blood clotting can also cause the development of blue veins.
Birth Control Pills Intake – It is believed that the intake of birth control pills can cause problems involving the veins, including blue vein conditions.
Laser Treatment for Blue Veins
Laser treatments provide the best treatments possible for blue veins. Laser vein removal is a quick, effective, and non-invasive way to treat the appearance of superficial blue veins. A laser treatment for varicose veins involves targeting the wavelength of light to the pigment in the blood. The light energy is absorbed by the lining of the blood vessels, and by the blood within the blood vessels. The laser heats up the small vein and works to damage it, so that in a period of four to six weeks, the vein is reabsorbed by the body and eventually disappears. The advanced laser treatments allow the delivery of a precise dosage of energy to each blood vessel.
Other Treatment Options for Blue Veins
Sclerotherapy – This procedure involves the injection of small- and medium-sized varicose veins with a solution that will scar and close those veins. In a few weeks, treated varicose veins are expected to fade. Sclerotherapy doesn’t require the administration of an anaesthetic.
Endoscopic vein surgery – This operation may only be needed in cases involving leg ulcers. The surgeon inserts a thin video camera into the leg to visualize and close varicose veins; the veins will then be removed using a series of small incisions.
Vein stripping – This procedure involves removing a long vein through a series of small incisions. The removal of the vein will not affect the circulation on the leg because veins that are located deeper in the leg can take on the responsibility of the circulation of larger volumes of blood.
Catheter-assisted procedures – This procedure is usually performed by the insertion of a thin tube (catheter) into an enlarged vein; the tip of the catheter will then be heated. As the catheter is pulled out, the heat will work on destroying vein by causing it to collapse and seal shut. This procedure is normally used for larger varicose veins.
Ambulatory phlebectomy – This procedure is performed by removing smaller varicose veins through a series of tiny skin punctures. Only the parts of the leg that are being pricked will be numbed with this particular procedure.
Spider Veins Removal in Kent
Spider veins are like smaller versions of varicose veins; these spider veins are also much closer to the surface of the skin than varicose veins. These veins are can be coloured blue or red, and can appear like tree branches or spiderwebs that are characterised by short, jagged lines. They can be found on the legs and face and can cover either a very small or very large area of skin.
What Causes Spider Veins?
- It is believed that heredity plays a key role in the development of spider veins. A person who has relatives of family members with spider veins is more prone to have spider veins as well.
- Obesity or excessive weight can cause problems with a person’s blood circulation, and can cause spider veins to develop.
- Blood clotting problems can also cause spider veins to develop, and become more pronounced with the passage of time.
- Those who work in jobs that involve a lot of standing (such as factory workers, nurses, teachers, and hair stylists) are more prone to the development of spider veins.
- Hormonal influences during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause are believed to cause spider veins in women.
- Women who use birth control pills are believed to be more prone to developing spider veins.
- Hormonal replacement medications used in treating post menopausal symptoms may cause the development of spider veins.
- Spider veins can be caused by conditions that cause increased and prolonged pressure in the abdomen – tightly worn garments (girdles or underwear), tumors, constipation.
Treatment Options for Spider Veins
- Use of Support Stockings – The most conservative approach to treating and addressing spider veins is simply to wear properly-fitting support stockings, especially when the veins cause discomfort or pain. These support stockings can generally be purchased at any surgical supply store and at some pharmacies.
- Sclerotherapy – This spider vein treatment procedure uses a highly concentrated saline (salt) solution, which is injected directly into the vein, causing the vein to disappear gradually over a period of three to six weeks.
- Lifestyle changes – Good skin hygiene, weight loss (if needed), and walking can help treat varicose veins and spider veins.
- Endovenous Laser Treatment – This is a procedure in which a small laser fibre is inserted into the vein. Pulses of laser light are then delivered to the area inside the vein, causing the vein to collapse. The endovenous laser treatment is done as an outpatient procedure, under local anaesthesia.
- Radiofrequency Occlusion – This spider vein treatment is performed by inserting a small catheter into the vein. The catheter delivers radiofrequency energy to the vein wall, causing it to heat, collapse, and be sealed shut. The procedure is generally done in an outpatient setting, and may be done under local anesthesia.
- Lasers Treatments and Intense Pulsed Light Treatments – Surface laser or intense pulsed light treatments, such as Vasculight and PhotoDerm, are other spider veins treatment options. These devices use heat energy to directly damage abnormal veins. These treatments require no needles and are non-invasive; however, the patient may experience some minor discomfort during the procedure.
- Surgery – Surgical techniques to treat spider veins are considered to be the last resort, and include vein ligation (tying off of a vein) and vein stripping (the removal of a long segment of vein). Another procedure, which is called ambulatory phlebectomy, involves the removal of large surface veins through very small incisions will not require stitches. Surgery may be performed using local, spinal, or general anesthesia. Surgical treatments are generally used to treat large spider veins and varicose veins.
