Does a Discolored Mole Always Mean Melanoma?
Noticing an abnormal, discolored mole can be worrisome, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you have melanoma. In this blog, we explain how to spot the differences and when to contact a dermatologist.
Say Goodbye to Spider Veins
Did you know that over 40% of women report having at least one type of troublesome veins in their legs? One of the most common offenders is spider veins, the small red, blue, or purple veins that appear close to the surface of your skin.
About 60% of all people develop spider veins over the course of their lifetime. These unsightly veins can make you self-conscious, especially during swimsuit season.
At Manhattan Dermatology with locations in Midtown East and Murray Hill in New York City, we understand the embarrassment and discomfort unsightly leg veins can cause. Our skilled dermatologists and skin care providers can identify problematic veins and the best course of treatment to make them disappear.
Read on to learn how we can help you say goodbye to spider veins before swimsuit season starts.
What are spider veins and how did I get them?
Spider veins are tiny capillaries that show up as twisted red, blue, or purple lines on your skin. Your capillaries have small one-way valves inside that help regulate blood flow. When these valves are damaged, blood gets trapped inside the tiny veins and they swell, showing through the surface of your skin.
Although spider veins can happen to both men and women, they affect women more frequently. Certain risk factors increase the chances of developing spider veins, including:
- Being female
- Having chronic constipation
- Having a family history of spider veins
- Having an occupation that requires a lot of standing (e.g., teacher; hairstylist)
- Being pregnant
- Being overweight or obese
You may also develop spider veins after a significant injury to your leg, ankle, or foot, or if you have a history of blood clots or tumors in your legs.
How do you treat spider veins?
Our experienced providers at Manhattan Dermatology use the combined power of sclerotherapy and VBeam® laser therapy to treat spider veins. When we use this powerful duo, your spider veins become a thing of the past.
With sclerotherapy, we inject a solution directly into your problem veins. This solution irritates the inside of the spider veins and causes the walls of the troublesome veins to collapse and stop blood from entering the affected area. You may feel a slight itching or faint burning sensation immediately following the injections, but most of our patients tolerate sclerotherapy well.
Your veins may appear swollen or red for a day or two after treatment. But without their blood supply, the spider veins eventually die and are flushed from your body. Within weeks of treatment, you have clearer skin and legs you can be proud to show off this summer.
When spider veins are too small to treat through sclerotherapy, the pain-free VBeam laser can destroy them without the risk of harming your skin or surrounding tissue. Its powerful laser targets the oxyhemoglobin in your blood vessels, causing the spider veins to collapse. Your body’s natural healing processes then break down and remove the damaged blood vessels over time.
Why is spring a good time to say goodbye to spider veins?
Spring is an ideal time to kick spider veins to the curb. After sclerotherapy, you need to avoid direct sunlight or other UV rays, like tanning beds, for at least two weeks. Depending on the extent of your vein treatment, you may also need to wear compression hose.
When you get your spider veins treated in the spring, you allow enough time for your legs to fully heal and you’ll be beachwear ready before swimsuit season. What’s more? We offer a full line of skin and aesthetic services, so you can talk to your provider about any add-on services that will make this swimsuit season your best.
If you’re ready to say goodbye to unsightly spider veins before swimsuit season, call the Manhattan Dermatology office closest to you or book an appointment online now.
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