Posts Tagged ‘spider veins’
Pregnancy & Skin - Noticing More than a Baby Bump? Notes from a San francisco BayArea Dermatologist
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010
Pregnancy brings about so many physical changes that it can feel a bit like something out of invasion of the body snatchers - where your body is no longer your own! While each woman’s journey varies, there are some common skin changes that you may notice as you wait for bundle of joy to arrive.
Itchy Abdomen Skin: You do not need to spend a fortune as any good over the counter moisturizer (like Aveeno, Cetaphil) can help relive the tight, dry, itchy skin that occurs as your belly stretches during pregnancy - especially the last few months. Shea butter can also be very soothing. I tell my patients to avoid oils as they tend to not absorb well. The best time to apply moisturizer is right after you shower or bathe, as they merely allow your skin to hold onto moisture. Heavier creams are better moisturizers, but can be messier and harder to use. With any product on the skin, be sure to use common sense and stop if it causes any irritation.
Stretch Marks: Perhaps my patients’ number one fear and/or complaint. Stretch marks are the result of stretching skin and appear as reddish or pink linear marks on the abdomen, breasts or hip/buttock area. It is a rare woman that does not earn at least a few marks during her pregnancy. There is no medical evidence that any creams or vitamin E prevent them from occurring. In fact, vitamin E oil applied directly to skin can cause irritation, so I would not recommend it. However, if you feel that it never hurts to try, then I would recommend using moisturizers as noted in the previous section to relieve tightness. Generally, the marks will shrink and fade some time after delivery. However, if they are bothersome to you there are two treatments that can be helpful. Vbeam laser treatments will help reduce the pink discoloration and can help build collagen to strengthen the skin, minimizing the marks. Fraxel laser treatments help to renew the texture of the skin, making it smoother and the marks less visible. If you are interested in Vbeam or Fraxel to treat stretch marks, please contact our office.
Skin Tags: These are tiny flaps of skin that can be caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy and typically occur in areas of friction, like under your arms or around your breasts. Some of these may disappear after delivery, but any remaining tags can be quickly and easily removed by a dermatologist.
Acne: Hormonal changes can cause your skin to become more oily and prone to breakouts. To help this, you can use over the counter cleansers or moisturizers that contain alpha hydroxy Acid (AHA), lactic or glycolic acid, which help to exfoliate the skin and keep plugs from forming. Some of our pregnant patients also come in for monthly pregnancy safe chemical peels to keep their skin in balance. Benzoyl Peroxide is safe to use on your skin during pregnancy and helps exfoliate the skin and kill acne causing bacteria. If breakouts become severe or do not respond to basic treatment, be sure to contact your dermatologist.
Mask of Pregnancy (Melasma or Cholasma): Hormones at work yet again. Some women develop dark patches of pigment on their forehead and cheeks (like a mask) during pregnancy as a result of their hormones. Your skin is extra sensitive to the sun during this time, so be sure to wear your sunblock everyday to keep the sun’s rays from making the condition worse. Phytic acid is a botanically derived skin lightener that is not as strong as prescription grade products like hydroquinone (not medically advised for use during pregnancy), but is a safe alternative and may help reduce excess pigment. After delivery, check with your dermatologist on the most effective and safe ways to quickly get rid of any leftover pigmentation.
Linea Nigra: Around the fourth of fifth month of pregnancy you may notice the appearance of a dark line that runs from your belly button to the top of your pubic bone. The line is thought to be a result of…you guessed it…hormones. There is no way to prevent this line, but take comfort in knowing that it will fade after delivery.
Changes in Moles & Freckles: We often find that moles and freckles become more “active” during pregnancy, meaning that they may darken in color due to hormonal fluctuations. You may also notice other areas of skin like the nipples, areolas and labia become darker. Should any mole or freckle change significantly change in shape or size, or specifically catch your eye that didn’t before, please have it checked by a dermatologist right away.
Spider & Varicose Veins: As a result of increased blood flow throughout your body, tiny red to larger blue veins may appear on the legs and ankles during pregnancy. While there is a genetic component to their appearance, the best way to minimize them is by trying the following: keep active by walking to increase circulation; avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time; wear support hose; prop your legs up when sitting; avoid excessive weight gain. After delivery these veins can be reduced with either injections or laser treatments.
The good news is that this increase in blood flow to your body is also what gives you that pregnancy “glow” which is beautiful on every woman, so may you enjoy a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery!
Keep Your Legs Looking Their Best - Sclerotherapy for Spider Veins: Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist
Tuesday, August 18th, 2009
Fall is just around the corner, which makes it a perfect time to start planning your treatments on unwanted spider vein on your legs. Not only are we putting away shorts and skirts, but starting in fall will allow plenty of time for a few sessions to get your legs looking more youthful by next summer!
Spider veins are mild version of varicose veins. They are small, superficial blood vessels that typically appear on our legs and ankles. Spider veins can look like unconnected short lines or can be connected in a branching pattern covering a small to large area. They are primarily a cosmetic concern and generally do not cause pain or discomfort.
Treatment for spider veins is called sclerotherapy. In this simple and comfortable procedure a special sclerosing solution is injected with a very fine needle into the blood vessels. This causes them to seal up and then fade within a few weeks. During this period of time, the areas that have been injected may appear discolored, often brownish or bruised. This discoloration is temporary and fades along with the vessels. The number of treatments varies from one to several depending on the extent of the veins and are usually 6 weeks apart. Occasionally a vessel may need more than one injection, or similar veins may eventually appear again in the same area.
Laser treatments may also be used to treat spider veins on the legs. A dermatologist or nurse practitioner can assess your specific case and provide the most effective treatment.
The causes of spider veins are varied and include heredity, age, long periods of standing, hormonal changes, excess weight and pregnancy. To help prevent or keep spider veins from worsening you can wear support pantyhose or compression stockings if you are on your feet a lot. Exercise and a healthy diet are also important. If there are larger, underlying varicose veins, you may want to seek treatment on those first with a vein specialist before chasing the spider veins.
Many patients waiver on whether or not its worth the time, money and effort to work on leg veins. In my experience, patients that were on the fence and went ahead with treatment end up feeling quite satisfied with the results. Even just “cleaning up” a few of the larger patches makes patients happier and less self-conscious. There is never an age where you will not want to wear shorts or skirts, so starting treatment sooner than later will help keep your legs looking great now and in the future. Contact our office for more details on sclerotherapy and to see if its right for you!
