Blog Archives
6 Facts You Didn’t Know About Facial Veins
While almost everyone who comes into my office has heard of spider or varicose veins, one condition I find that my patients know relatively little about is facial veins. These veins are usually found on the forehead, nose, cheeks, eyelids, neck, and upper chest, and often give an unsightly, aged appearance. Here are six little known facts about facial veins that you may be surprised to learn:
- They typically are not diseased. In most cases, unsightly facial veins are healthy and not diseased. The most typical cause of unwanted facial veins is the normal thinning of skin that comes with age. Without that youthful cushioning, the veins begin to appear more obvious.
- Sun damage and loss of collagen combine to cause veins and age spots to stand out. Losing collagen as you age is natural and typically cannot be prevented. Sun damage, on the other hand, can be avoided to an extent. Try to limit sun exposure and apply sunscreen when outdoors to prevent facial veins from appearing.
- There are several different ways to get rid of facial veins. Vein removal, dermal filler, and photorejuvenation are the most common methods for dealing with facial veins. During a complimentary consultation, Dr. Fern will evaluate the veins in your face and develop a treatment plan so you can choose the procedure that is best for you.
- It is safe to close off some of the veins in your face. There are many blood vessels in the deeper layers of the face that provide adequate blood flow, while the surface ones do not affect the main blood source. The bulging veins are not required for normal circulation because they are superficial.
- Once treated, facial veins are unlikely to come back. Depending on the person, the results from the treatment are usually permanent. This is due to the fact that facial veins do not usually redevelop like varicose veins in the leg. Once the facial veins are closed, it is not likely that they will return.
- There are very few side effects associated with treating facial veins. Pain associated with this procedure is minimal, if there is any at all. There might be slight swelling, bruising or redness that is usually resolved quickly.
Fortunately for those with facial veins, there are some great treatment options available, which we regularly administer at Vein & Skin. I recommend the various treatment options for men and women who experience pain from facial veins, as well as those who have become self-conscious about unattractive veins and spots on their face, neck or upper chest. The procedure is also ideal for those simply wishing to regain a soft, youthful appearance.
If you would like to schedule a complimentary consultation, don’t hesitate to call us at 404-508-4320 to make an appointment today.
Be well,
Dr. Fern
This post was written by Vein and Skin Laser Center | May 1, 2014
Leg Pain: Not a Normal Part of Aging
This week, we had a great time at another health fair where we offered free vein screenings. At these kinds of events, we see patients with multiple complaints and problems. Many people are experiencing leg pain and just want to see if there’s some problem with their legs. It’s amazing how many patients test positive for venous disease at these events.
So what exactly IS a vein screening? What to we do? Most people find it fascinating. With a special computer that looks like a laptop, we are able to let the patient look at their very own leg veins, and watch the blood flowing through their own leg! A simple swipe on their leg with the ultrasound hand-piece makes the image appear on the computer screen. Then we can watch the blood flowing to see if there is a block or a breakdown that causes a problem. The underlying disorder is diagnosed with this simple ultrasound examination. We do this right at the health fair, and it takes only minutes to get the diagnosis. We bring the doctors office right to the patient.
In addition to being fascinated with the look inside their leg, many patients are shocked to discover that there was an underlying problem to their leg pain. Most of these patients believed leg pain was just a normal part of getting older. But I always stress to patients that leg pain is NOT a typical result of aging, and that a venous disease is usually to blame.
There are several common disorders that can cause leg pain that need to be ruled out as we diagnose venous disease. Lymphatic disease is one that causes swelling in the legs and feet. Arterial disease may also lead to leg pain that typically increases with exercise and decreases with rest. Neurological pain is also common. It affects certain areas of the legs and is related to back pain. Arthritic pain, which is related to joints and joint movement, is another disorder I commonly see in patients. We can rule out these other causes from talking to the patient and evaluating their leg pain history. Venous disease is related to aching pain, heaviness, fatigue, and is often a result of genetics and/or prolonged standing and activity.
The good news is that venous disease can be taken care of quite easily. Patients are happily surprised when I inform them that their venous problem can be cured in a matter of minutes with minimal discomfort and little to no downtime. Even better, it’s covered by insurance! I love seeing patients faces light up when I tell them this piece of good news.
We also do complimentary vein screenings in our office every week! If you have any concerns about your vein and skin health, dial 404-508-4320 to make an appointment today. And remember, leg pain is NOT a normal part of aging.
Be well,
Dr. Fern
This post was written by Vein and Skin Laser Center | April 22, 2014
Vein & Skin Now Offering UltraPulse Encore Laser Skin Resurfacing!
As you may know, Vein & Skin Laser Center performs many different cosmetic procedures in addition to treatment for venous disorders. I’m always looking for new safe and effective technologies to add to the catalog of aesthetic services we provide. Lately, many of my patients have been asking about skin resurfacing procedures, so when I recently heard about UltraPulse Encore laser skin resurfacing, it caught my attention immediately.
The latest in skin resurfacing, UltraPulse Encore technology with its new CO2 Lite control, goes a step beyond traditional laser therapy; this procedure provides a novel, less invasive approach for treating fine lines, age spots and uneven skin tone. With a single pass of the laser beam, the UltraPulse Encore’s special CO2 Lite setting targets and vaporizes water in the cells of the uppermost layer of skin, revealing fresher, younger-looking skin. CO2 Lite treats mild cosmetic flaws more gently, providing the benefits of advanced technology without the prolonged healing times often associated with older, more traditional treatments.
After becoming fully trained in the technique, I’ve treated many patients with UltraPulse, and they have experienced amazing results. It’s always a treat to see the patients in follow-up, as they’re often very enthusiastic and pleased with the results. I even had one patient say that she wished she could get UltraPulse every year because of the improvement she has seen! I’ve also had a number of patients come in for scar treatment and the results are equally successful. Scar treatment is different in that it takes multiple treatments to get the best result, but treatments are quick, not very involved, and they’re tolerated very easily.
Ultimately, I’ve found that resurfacing with the UltraPulse Encore does more than soften the appearance of imperfections – it can actually eliminate evidence of sun damage, such as wrinkles and discoloration, it can increase the amount of collagen in the skin, and it can significantly improve depressions in the skin, such as acne scarring. Whether treating the whole face or specific areas, a single treatment provides dramatic and immediate results. The result is a rejuvenated, smoother, and more youthful looking face that lasts.
UltraPulse Encore laser resurfacing is ideal for men and women with signs of an aging complexion. No one patient is the same, so I tailor treatments to each patient’s needs according to the nature and extent of skin damage, skin type and individual requirements for recovery time. If you would like more information about how UltraPulse Encore laser skin resurfacing can be tailored for your individual skin type and specific condition, please call the office at 404-508-4320 to schedule a complimentary consultation.
This post was written by Vein and Skin Laser Center | March 25, 2014
6 Reasons Why People Get Spider Veins
As a vein doctor, I see patients everyday who are completely healthy, but are plagued by visible, unsightly blood vessels on their body called spider veins. They are distressed because they aren’t sure how they developed spider veins and are frustrated that researchers have not yet determined the exact cause of their condition.
Though nearly impossible to pinpoint the precise origin of spider veins, I’ve found that certain behaviors predispose people to develop the condition. Since the appearance of spider veins is often related to increased pressure in the blood vessels, activities that create increased pressure in the legs are usually to blame. Here are some of the more common explanations I’ve found in my patients:
Frequent standing. Many of my patients are nurses, waitresses, or other professionals who spend a lot of time standing up. If you have a job that always has you on your feet, you might be likely to develop spider veins. This is because your body has to work extra hard to carry blood from your legs up to your heart so when you spend a lot of time on your feet, you make it even harder for your blood vessels.
Hormonal shifts. Many times, female hormones play a role in the development of spider veins. Puberty, birth control pills, pregnancy, or hormone replacement therapy may contribute to their appearance.
Injury or constriction. Some of my patients experience spider veins after an injury or as a result of wearing tight hosiery. As spider veins are the consequence of poor blood circulation, I advise my patients to steer clear of tight girdles.
Genetics. There are some people who develop spider veins through no fault of their own. About half of all people who experience spider veins have a family member who has them as well.
Sun exposure. Too much time spent under the sun may be to blame for some cases of spider veins. High sun exposure weakens the veins close to the surface of the skin.
Weight gain. It is not uncommon to notice spider veins on the body after you’ve gained some weight. Extra weight puts added pressure on your legs, as well as the vessels that carry blood from the legs to the heart.
These six common reasons may help explain why you have developed spider veins. By limiting the activities that cause spider veins, you can attempt to prevent them from coming back after having them removed.
At Vein & Skin Laser Center, I personally attend to all patients who come to the office. This means you can be assured that you’ll always receive treatment from a double board certified surgeon and vein specialist. After treating thousands of spider veins, I’ve seen it all and am happy to assist you in attaining healthier looking skin. If you’d like to get in touch, dial 404-508-4320 and make an appointment today.
–Dr. Fern
This post was written by Vein and Skin Laser Center | March 5, 2014