YOUR SKIN CHALLENGE: VARICOSE AND SPIDER VEINS
Varicose veins are veins that have become enlarged and twisted, and appear as darkened, irregular veins on your skin. While they can occur anywhere on your body, they usually appear on the legs. While varicose veins are generally not life threatening, they can cause discomfort through swelling, venous eczema, a thickening of the skin and ulcers, in such condition varicose veins treatment is compulsory.
Spider veins are a smaller version of varicose veins that form a blue or red web-like appearance on your skin. While they are usually seen on the face in a condition known as rosacea, they can occur anywhere on your body, even on your legs, arms and hands.
Causes of varicose veins
The causes of spider and varicose veins include heredity, pregnancy, obesity, increasing age, exposure to the sun and standing for long periods of time. Women tend to be affected by spider veins 2-4 times more commonly than men do, due to the fact that female hormones and pregnancies are so commonly implicated in their cause. Pooled blood enlarges the vein and it becomes varicose. Spider veins can also be caused by venous insufficiency and the backup of blood & to get rid of this you must need varicose veins treatment.
Prevention
While varicose veins, spider veins and rosacea cannot be completely prevented as they can appear at any time, you can take steps to prevent them from 
worsening or becoming uncomfortable.
• Exercise increases your blood circulation ensuring your blood flows freely through your veins,
• Watch your weight and diet as being overweight puts pressure on your veins,
• Don’t wear clothes that are too tight and wear low heeled shoes which work your calf muscles,
• Drink water to keep hydrated and improve blood circulation,
• Don’t sit or stand for too long, and don’t cross your legs.
Treatment
At Dr Bhabha Aesthetics Johannesburg, our varicose veins doctors offer a variety of treatments for varicose veins. After a consultation with one of our doctors working at our varicose vein clinic, the appropriate treatment for varicose veins will be recommended and discussed with you in detail. Before any vein removal procedure is attempted it is recommended that 3 to 6 Carboxytherapy treatments are done to ensure improved vascular circulation and lymph drainage. Some of the treatments we offer for varicose veins are:
Laser Resurfacing can be performed as a once–off procedure for a more dramatic result or as a series of smaller, individual treatments with less down time. Your healing time will depend upon the size of the treated area, and the depth of the resurfacing. You may experience Erythema (redness), which may last several weeks. Healing time varies among individuals.
Therapy involves injecting tiny amounts of Carbon dioxide (CO2) beneath the skin to break down fatty deposits and stimulate collagen production. After a treatment the gas is totally reabsorbed within 5 minutes and the treated area will raise, turn slightly red as oxygen perfused into the area which undergoes an inflammatory response which stimulates collagen production. Find out more >>
Treatment consists of the layered application of the peel product. After the peel is removed, a soothing moisturizer as well as a sunscreen will be applied. In some cases, slight swelling, redness, mild itching or stinging can occur, depending on the strength of the peel, but usually ends between three to seven days after the procedure. Find out more >>