They call them spider veins. Those colorful squiggles that ruin a leg’s line and seem determined to pass from one generation to the next. (Quite frankly, this is one heirloom that Beauty Undercover thinks cousin Carol can keep…) While there isn’t a complete cure there are new techniques to break up the spider’s web. Beauty Undercover found Dr. Wayne S. Gradman of the Beverly Hills Vein Center to be at the forefront of the latest procedures.
How it works: He goes to the source with a multi-pronged process which includes hitting the big veins first. Then he does something called Sclerotherapy – which remains the standard for treating spider veins. A solution is injected into each of the spider veins.
Rather than using a traditional saline solution, Dr. Gradman injects a milder foam-like detergent into the vein wall, producing better results and reducing the pain. But the good doctor prescribes a different kind of pain as you’re leaving the office. He suggests a medium-strength (and oh so fashionable) support stocking or compression garment for a week (ugh!) with twice-daily applications of Arnica.
Results: You should see 70% improvement in appearance, but not 100%. (We love a doctor who tells it like it is!)
Prevention: Remember this is genetic. Forget all the wives tales. “Crossing your legs does not cause new varicose veins to develop,” assures Dr. Gradman. However he does warn extra weight and excess hormones such as birth control can compound the problem.
The Beverly Hills Vein Institute
450 North Roxbury Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
310-278-7710
