Spider/varicose veins *photos incl*

[frazzled101]

Hi,

I have spider/varicose veins as per the photos attached. I don't normally wear fake tan but I put some on in the hope it would hide them but it doesn't.

The patch of spider veins are at the very bottom of my leg so noticeable if I wear anything short in the warm weather.

I spoke to my doctor about them once and she just dismissed them.

Has anyone had treatment for this? I'm 39 years old so I don't want to have to completely hide my legs forever.

I don’t have suggestions for treatments I’m afraid but I use Bali body instant tan. It’s a spray which you then brush on and like a light foundation rather than a tanner. Might be worth a look if you’re wanting to cover them.

Hi I also suffer from thread veins and have had varicose veins treated in the past too. Is the second photo of your ankle area ? It looks very similar to mine.
I recently had a consultation at the Vein centre who did a scan and said problem stems from underlying faulty valves and booked in tomorrow for Evla and foam schleratherpy to treat underlying cause and a larger vein and then a follow up 6 weeks later will be micro-schleratherapy injections.

I use skinny tan body glow gradual tanner in medium twice a week all year round and if getting legs out for a night out I use Sally Hansen airbrush legs which gives good coverage .

I'll update you how it goes ! Not looking forward to wearing compression stocking for a week in this heat tho !

@Worsethingshappenatsea I'd love to hear how you get on.

Yes I have 2 large patches around my ankles. What is ridiculous is that I've been getting swollen ankles recently and have only just make the connection!

I have made an appointment to see a consultant in a few weeks to see what they say.

I don't smoke, I'm not overweight and I don't wear high heels! These seems to be some of the causes and I don't do any.

Compression stockings are awful!!

Best of luck.

You can get injections in them to collapse the veins and they completely disappear. My dad had it done a while ago. I think he went to see a dermatologist.

I've got an appointment with a consultant in 2 weeks, can't believe I was able to get an appointment so quickly.

I had the foam thing and while it got rid of the varicose veins, my body helpfully then replaced them with double the amount of spider veins.

I would get them treated but then I think they would just come back again. Now I just put fake tan on my legs and ignore them!

I have bad purple spider veins on my lower legs, mainly behind my knees and calf areas. So bad i wont wear anything except maxi skirts or dresses but wear mainly trousers.

Might give the Sally Hansen spray a go but not sure it would cover mine

Well I had the procedure yesterday took 2 hours on both legs had laser on 3 places for the underlying faulty valves and then foam in a few places and micro scleratherapy in some of my thread veins .
I've got Bupa cover through work and to my surprise they authorised the treatment due to the faulty valves but prob don't authorise cosmetic stuff so consultant was fab as usually do over 2 appts but did all in one go so I could claim . I've got one follow up authorised too in 3 months where can have more money injections for any thread veins or any areas where foam not worked .
I have a lot of thread veins so hope it's not a case of new ones popping up ! I'm thinking if I can get to a place where feel confident getting legs out out I can cover any small ones with fake tan and maybe save up and have any new ones treated every couple years it's about £500 I think for just thread veins if I was paying for what I just had done would have been over £3k .
All staff at the clinic and consultant were lovely hoping for good result I went to Veincentre Birmingham where are u going @frazzled101 is it private or nhs ?
I've got my stockings on for a week now expecting lots of bruises and he says may look worse before looks better I'll keep u updated and can put some pics up if anyone interested

@Worsethingshappenatsea thanks so much for the update, I really appreciate it. That was a long time for treatment, was it painful? They really threw every resource at you. how are you finding recovery?

I am covered with BUPA through work as well which is partly why I'm finally getting around to do something about it. I actually have an appointment with a consultant in 2 weeks time so I'm interested to see what he says. I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much. I thought I only had 3 places on my legs that would need treatment but the more I look, the more I see. I'd be happy to just cover them up with some tan though, I'm not expecting perfection.

How are you feeling today? Toasty in your stockings?!

Hi frazzled I've been bit hot and bothered today praying some cooler weather is on the way 🥵 the worst bit is not being able to jump in shower and having to strip wash !
No the treatment wasn't painful just found the laser a bit uncomfortable at times felt like a tugging / pulling sensation. I think I'm prone to these veins my Nan and dad both had them and also I'm 5ft10 have heard being tall can also be a factor don't know if that's true.
I know Im never going to have legs like a supermodel at 48 but hopefully if can get good result and keep any more at bay for another 10 years or so will do for me.
Hope your consultation goes well and I'll update after stockings come off on Thursday

@Worsethingshappenatsea how are you getting on?

I have my consultation today and he scanned my legs and said there's no issue with my veins. Therefore the treatment would be cosmetic only which isn't covered by insurance. However treatment isn't as expensive as I thought. He said £365 for a round of injections, and I'd need 2 rounds. I had read it was £1k per leg.

He recommended doing it in September if I want to go ahead.

Hi sorry forgot to update ! I'm doing ok legs still quite bruised tho and legs ache if sit or stand too long especially left leg in my calf where laser fibre went in but that's all normal according to the book I was given .
Results wise don't think will be able to tell till all bruising gone down but will deffo need more injections for thread veins I've got next appt in September for another scan and top up injections included . After that will
Need to pay for any more sessions as cosmetic
That's good news re your consultation @frazzled101 what clinic did you go to ?September be a good time for treatment as worse part of whole thing has been the dreaded stockings .

IPL (intensive pulse laser) treatment is good for thread veins.

Hi, would you be happy to share some photos of your before and after? I’ve just put a post on about my varicose veins and wanting some advice/info from people who have had treatment. Thank you x

I know this is an older thread. But would also be interested to see if you’re pleased with the treatment you had @Worsethingshappenatsea and @frazzled101 if you went ahead with treatment.

now I’m finished having babies I would like to get my legs sorted, I have both varicose and spider veins and I’m still early 30s 😩

@Babytwodue sorry I'm only getting back now. No I haven't had treatment yet but would still like to.

Have you sought any treatment yet?

@frazzled101 not yet, but the varicose veins are getting worse in my left leg.
I am a bridesmaid next year and the dress has a huge split on the left side and the thought of showing my lumpy leg makes me feel sick 🙁