Varicose Veins Specialist
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Beverly Hills Vein Institute
Ivan Brooks, MD
Vein Ablation Specialist located in Beverly Hills, CA & Westlake Village, CA
Varicose veins are the ropey, bulging, blue or purple veins that usually form on your legs. More than just unattractive, varicose veins are also a sign of venous insufficiency. At Beverly Hills Vein Institute in Beverly Hills and Westlake Village, California, Ivan Brooks, MD, provides state-of-the-art treatments to remove your varicose veins and restore your vascular health. Call the Greater Los Angeles area office or schedule a consultation online today to learn about your treatment options.
Varicose Veins Q & A
What are varicose veins?
Your veins have small valves that help propel your blood as it travels back to your heart and lungs. When these valves are weak or damaged, you develop venous insufficiency, which allows your blood to flow backward and pool in sections of your veins.
Varicose veins develop as sections of veins weaken and fill with blood, swell, and become visible on the surface of your skin. They can develop anywhere on your body, but they’re most common on your legs, because those veins have to work the hardest to move your blood upward against the effects of gravity.
In addition to causing unsightly bulging veins, venous insufficiency also causes leg pain, including cramping, throbbing, fatigue, and itchiness.
What are risk factors for varicose veins?
Weakness in your veins is often due to your genetics — if you have a family history of varicose veins, you have an increased chance of developing them as well. Other factors that contribute to varicose vein development include:
- Age
- Hormonal changes
- Pregnancy
- Spending a lot of time on your feet
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Obesity
Hot, sunny weather can make your varicose veins symptoms worse and cause accelerated aging in your skin, which can also make your varicose veins more visible.
How are varicose veins treated?
At Beverly Hills Vein Institute, Dr. Brooks provides several treatments for varicose veins, including sclerotherapy, endovenous laser therapy, and microphlebectomy. He performs a thorough exam to assess your condition before recommending any treatments.
Dr. Brooks offers both traditional sclerotherapy and microfoam Varithena® treatments. During both procedures, he injects an irritant into your varicose vein. The solution causes swelling and tissue thickening that closes and seals your vein.
Endovenous laser therapy also closes and seals varicose veins, but the treatment uses heat instead of a chemical irritant. Both procedures are minimally invasive and effective.
Microphlebectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows Dr. Brooks to remove large varicose veins from the surface of your skin through tiny incisions.
You typically need to wear compression stockings after your varicose vein treatment. You can usually get back to work and regular activities right away. However, you need to avoid strenuous activities for a couple of weeks while your veins drain, seal, and dissolve into the surrounding tissue.
If you’re troubled by varicose veins, call Beverly Hills Vein Institute or make an appointment online today to discover which treatment is right for you.
