Reflections on Beauty

Reflections for laser vein removal.

The vast majority of individuals who have varicose or spider veins don't experience any associated problems and, in these cases, the bluish streaks or web-like formations are merely aesthetic issues. However, for others, bulging veins can represent a serious health problem.

According to the Mayo Clinic, about 20 to 25 percent of Americans experience varicose veins, and about 6 percent have conditions that may require medical attention, such as venous disease, skin changes or ulcerations.

"Evaluation of varicose veins with ultrasound is an easy and accurate way to assess the need for treatment. New, minimally invasive therapy is available today that is effective and is performed as outpatient treatment," said the Mayo Clinic's Peter Gloviczki, M.D.

Gloviczki was a co-developer for the Society for Vascular Surgery and American Venous Forums' national guidelines on varicose vein treatment.

Problematic varicose veins may itch, burn or ache, and typically appear in the legs, ankles and feet. Individuals who are pregnant, overweight or sedentary are more likely to develop varicose veins. As such, exercise and weight loss may help alleviate problems stemming from bulging veins.

Varicose veins are typically caused by improper blood flow in the legs, which may be corrected to an extent by wearing compression stockings. Other treatment options include laser vein removal, but indiviudals should be sure they're good candidates for the treatment.

"New therapy with radiofrequency or laser is safe and effective, but such procedures should be done after careful evaluation, in selected patients only," said Gloviczki.

Signs that varicose veins are more than just an unsightly bother include swollen legs, changes in the skin texture or color and bleeding from the veins. People who experience these symptoms should seek medical attention in order to rule out a blood clot or ulcer.

If a healthcare provider determines that you're a viable candidate for laser vein removal, you may be able to look forward to a summer where you're free to bare your legs without embarrassment, because the laser treatment has been shown time and again to be safe and effective.

Laser vein removal of deep veins sometimes entails a small catheter being inserted into the vein, where it heats the vein from the inside, thereby closing it off. Usually, this requires local anesthesia and is performed as an outpatient procedure.

Reflections for laser skin rejuvenation.

Actress Jennifer Aniston appears on the March cover of InStyle magazine looking not a day older than she did when the world better knew her as Rachel from Friends. She recently told the magazine that she also feels like the same person who made shaggy layers a hot trend in the mid-1990s.

Aniston, 43, told the style news source that she looks at 20-year-old actresses and feels like she's looking at one of her peers – and don't even get her started on being asked to play the mother of a teenager as a character role.

"You lose perspective," Aniston told InStyle, on feeling young. "Being offered the part of a woman with a 17-year-old child. It's like, 'I'm not old enough to have a 17-year-old!' And then you realize, well, yeah, you are. Young? I don't feel my age. I feel young every day."

Perhaps her glowing skin has something to do with it. The notoriously tight-lipped actress hinted that she's a fan of laser skin rejuvenation.

"I'd love to be a dermatologist. I'd be so obsessive about it. I'm fascinated by skin, products and lasers. I go on the internet and read all about it. I call it 'laser porn,'" Aniston said, quoted by the news source.

Hydration and good nutrition also play a part in Aniston's youthful glow, according to a 2009 article in Elle magazine. The actress' dietitian Carrie Wiatt told the news source that supplements aimed at reducing inflammation in the body – namely, those containing omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins and querecitin – help keep the skin supple and glowing, as they promote moisture retention and blood circulation.

Aniston is also known to be an exercise enthusiast, especially yoga. An article in Yoga Journal magazine reports that the mind-body practice may help improve skin health by reducing stress and promoting overall wellness.

Women who want to obtain a younger looking appearance can learn a lot from Aniston's practices – including the fact that she does her research on laser skin rejuvenation. While the procedure is not invasive and has been found to be safe, it's important to seek out an experienced, accredited professional in order to get the best results and minimize the risk of complications.

Reflections for laser skin rejuvenation.

We all know what they look like: Swollen, twisted, blue or purple veins popping up under the skin, making an unsightly and knotted mass on the legs. But what exactly are spider and varicose veins, and how can they be treated?

Well, the condition appears when the valves in the vein stop functioning properly, according to Medical News Today. In a normal vein, the mechanisms open and close to promote an even, one-directional flow. However, some individuals have a harmless congenital defect in their valves, causing blood to move in both direction and leading to dilated, bulging veins, the news source reported.

It's estimated that 30 percent of adults have varicose or spider veins, which most often occur in women. While these blue bulges may make you feel too shy to wear skirts, dresses or shorts out in public, they are unlikely to cause any negative health problems.

In some cases, varicose or spider veins may become painful or make the legs feel heavy. Individuals with these symptoms may want to seek treatment for their condition in order to improve their quality of life.

People who are not too bothered by their appearance but want to make an effort to stop the progression of the condition may want to consider compression stockings, which squeeze the legs from the ankle up to improve circulation. These can be uncomfortable, especially during warm weather, and may not be effective for some, but the stockings are still a good option for certain individuals.

Ligation and stripping is a method in which a surgeon ties off the vein, threads a wire through it and pulls it out through an incision. This operation completely removes varicose veins, but comes with risks of bleeding, bruising, pain and even deep vein thrombosis. Additionally, patients typically need to take one to three weeks off work and other activities while they heal.

Technology in laser vein removal has come a long way since its early days. The technique consists of strong bursts of light that make spider veins fade away, according to WomensHealth.gov. Usually, a patient require two or three sessions to completely get rid of unsightly veins, each lasting about 15 or 20 minutes. Best of all, individuals can resume normal activities following laser vein removal.

For more severe varicose veins, an endovenous laser vein treatment may be needed. During this procedure, bothersome veins are treated from the inside with radiofrequency or laser energy to restore normal blood flow and reduce the appearance of bulging veins.