Eliminate Unsightly Reticular Veins

Reticular veins are very similar to spider and varicose veins. These veins are also known as feeder veins and cause blemishes under the surface of the skin. They are blue and green in color, and they are about 1 to 3 mm in diameter and generally appear on your knees, calves, ankles, and the back or inner part of your thighs. Very rarely, they can appear on the face as well.

Reticular veins do not cause complications, but they can get enlarged and may become quite unsightly. Women affected with such a vein condition may feel uncomfortable about wearing bathing suits, shorts, or skirts.

Causes of Reticular Veins

Reticular veins are a very common problem. They occur when increased backward flow of blood dilates and twists veins out of shape. They are generally more common in aged people. Reticular veins can be caused because of a number of reasons:

•A history of reticular veins in the family
•A recurrence of blood clots or other clotting disorders
•Damaged vein networks due to soft-tissue injuries
•A misbalance of the female hormones of estrogen and progesterone
•An increase in pressure in the region

Symptoms

Reticular vein disorders are not always visible. You may experience some of the following symptoms that can help you to decide if you should consult a doctor regarding venous discomfort. The symptoms include, but are not limited to, the following:

•Discomfort in the leg
•Consistent pain in the leg
•Continuous throbbing
•Burning sensation in a particular area
•Swelling
•Extreme itching
•Fatigue
•A sense of heaviness
•Unusual cramps

Treatment Options

Reticular veins need to be treated. Surprisingly, these veins could be the reason for the formation of spider veins. They can feed the dilated venules of the spider veins by acting as a source of blood.

Depending on the location of the reticular veins, your medical history, and other related factors, the doctors will either recommend sclerotherapy, IPL vein removal, or laser vein removal for treatment. Only a qualified specialist should perform these procedures.

If the reticular veins are causing you too much discomfort and are located on the chest or legs, sclerotherapy may be recommended. During this, a chemical solution will be injected directly into the veins to make them much smaller in size. The veins get absorbed into the body and are forced to disappear over time. Small and large reticular veins can be treated by sclerotherapy.

For facial reticular veins located beneath the eyes, across the jawline, on the cheekbones, around the mouth, and on the temples, laser or IPL vein removal may be recommended as a treatment method. These treatments feature pulses of energy used to destroy the vessels.

Treatment Benefits

The treatments for reticular veins are very easy and cause absolutely no pain. The results are visible almost immediately, offering instantaneous relief from reticular veins. These treatments are minimally invasive options, and so almost no recovery time is required.

Learn More

Explore these treatment options for yourself with the help of Dr. Raffi Dishakjian, an experienced vein specialist serving Los Angeles. Contact our office to schedule a vein consultation.