You've Got Legs... Do You Know How to Use Them?
©Christine Olinger for Ladybug Flights-Body Image

They carry you around all day long, but have you done any favors in return? We are speaking, of course, about those much-admired appendages upon which we ambulate: legs. They keep us upright, get us from one place to another, cause construction workers to whistle, and look fabulous sprouting out of a pair of Prada pumps. Betty Grable's inspired soldiers. Juliet Prowse had hers insured by Lloyds of London. ZZ Top immortalized them in rock and roll verse. But as we grow older, and our bodies show signs of age, those gams that got us around start to show some wear and tear. For many men, and for many more women, varicose and spider veins are not only a nuisance but a painful reality.

What are varicose veins and spider veins? When the valves in these veins become weak blood leaks back into the vein, clogging. As a result the veins become enlarged and discolored. It's unclear what causes leg vein disorders, but we do know that having weak vein valves is the greatest factor. Hormones have proven to cause an increase in occurances in women, often due to pregnancy, menopause, puberty, or hormone replacement therapies. Since the legs have the greatest stress in carrying blood back to the heart they are more vulnerable to valve issues.

Varicose Veins:

Varicose veins are swollen, raised above the surface of the skin, making the area appear lumpy, as if cords are bulging through from beneath. They generally appear on the back side of the calf, but can surface on the sides of the leg as well.

Spider Veins:

Spider veins are similar, but smaller, and are often red or blue in color because they are closer to the surface of the skin and involve no, or lesser enlarging of the vein. They have patterns like a spider web or map lines and can appear on either the legs or the face, often on the cheekbones.

Surprisingly, one in five adults suffer from varicose veins, and 60% of all Americans suffer from some form of vein disorder. Women, however, are more affected. As many as 50% of American women suffer from either varicose veins or spider veins. It also is estimated that 41% of all women will suffer from abnormal leg veins by the time they are in the 50's. Not a pleasant thought, and for many years this was simply considered a fact of life. You get old, your legs get ugly. Sometimes varicose veins can even become painful, itchy, and can hasten the onset of fatique, causing legs to feel heavy or cramp at night. In some cases severe clogging can bring about blood clots, infections, and skin ulcers.

The good news is there are treatments available for those suffering vein disorders, and many of them are simple, quick procedures. Many treatments are available at day spas and health clinics and patients can leave the office within a very short time. Day spas have begun employing doctors to perform these procedures. The most common of these is sclerotherapy, which involves injecting a solution into the veins that causes the linings to swell, bind together, and seal shut. Within weeks the markings fade, and most patients see improvement. Newer microsclerotherapy procedures are even more effective, and these procedures can be done in a doctor's office without anesthesia. Electrodesiccation is similar to sclerotherapy except the veins are sealed off with an electrical current instead of the injection of solution. This treatment is not as favored since it may leave scars.

Most recently laser surgery has become popular for treating spider veins on the face and legs.
Laser surgery works by sending very strong bursts of light onto the vein, causing it to slowly fade and disappear. Lasers are very direct and accurate, and only damage the area being treated. All skin types and colors can be safely treated with lasers. The newer laser technologies are more effective with fewer side effects, and laser surgery is more comfortable for patients because there are no needles or incisions. Treatments last 15 to 20 minutes, and depending on the severity of the veins, two to five treatments are generally needed to remove varicose veins in the legs. Patients can return to normal activity immediately after treatment.

Should you decide to have a treatment, check with both your insurance provider and your general practitioner. Often these procedures are considered cosmetic and are not covered by insurance, and it's important to make sure a licensed dermatologist or laser surgeon is performing the procedure. Many day spas and salons now offer these procedures with respected physicians, but it's important to check them out carefully.

While the cosmetic effects of repairing varicose veins and spider veins may be pleasing, the medical benefits are nothing to sneeze at, either. Americans are being advised to stay active, walk more, remain mobile as long as possible as we age. In other words, we need our pins under us, our stems strong and straight, our gams in glorious, glowing health if we want to live long, active lives. Consider a trip to the dermatologist-- or even a stop at the spa-- on your lunchbreak for a massage, a smoothie, and a few zaps from the laser.