Why It is Recommended to Get Varicose Veins Treated in Winter

Many believe that varicose veins only happen to the elderly, but this could not be further from the truth. The reality is that varicose veins – the twisted, bulging veins that show as deep purple or blue beneath the skin’s surface – can happen to anyone at any point in their lifetime. Developing varicose veins can be more than a cosmetic issue as well, since many women experience ongoing pain, swelling, and overall discomfort at and around the area where the vein has failed. For these reasons, getting varicose vein treatment is often a necessary step.

Although varicose vein treatments are available anytime of the year, experts from a varicose veins clinic explain that the winter can be the right time to undergo the best-fit therapy for you. The winter months prove beneficial in several different ways as it relates to the healing process of common varicose vein treatments. If you have been holding off on receiving treatment, consider these advantages of doing so this winter.

Giving the Skin a Break

One of the most prominent reasons winter is a good time of the year to receive varicose vein treatment is because it allows for the skin to heal correctly. In hotter months, we are prone to put on less clothing to venture outside in the sun, soaking up the rays at any opportunity. However, after varicose vein treatment, the legs may be bruised or otherwise visibly irritated. This can make it difficult to go out and enjoy warm weather if the legs need to remain covered. The winter requires more cover-up naturally, and so it makes for a perfect time to undergo varicose vein treatment that may come with swelling or bruising.

Compression is More Tolerable

A significant source of relief for those who undergo varicose vein treatment is compression therapy. Wearing compression socks or stockings is commonly prescribed by varicose vein specialists both before and after a procedure. Compression allows the blood in the legs to move more freely throughout the body, helping ease some of the symptoms of broken vein walls that cause the blood to pool. After varicose vein surgery, wearing compression stockings may need to be worn for up to four weeks. This suggestion can be hard to follow in the hot summer months, but it is often much more convenient and comfortable in the winter.

Rest and Relaxation

The winter is hibernation season for many, given the crisp air and less than ideal weather. After varicose vein surgery, many vein specialists recommend taking it easy at home to allow the body to go through its natural healing process. Many are unwilling to accept this necessary step during the summer. However, rest and relaxation are easier to grasp during the winter, and this may lead to a better healing process overall.

Varicose Vein Treatment Options

Several different options exist for varicose vein treatment, whether during the winter months or at another time throughout the year. However, not all paths to care are appropriate for everyone who lives with varicose veins. It is essential to speak with a vein specialist to understand the treatment options as well as the potential each has in remedying the discomfort one experiences. In some cases, closing off the veins can be a viable treatment for varicose veins. This is often done through sclerotherapy, where an injection is made into the vein that causes it to fade away. The now-closed vein forces blood flow to move to other, healthy veins, reducing varicose vein issues.

For others,  laser therapy may be the best-fit solution. Laser therapy still works to close off broker veins in the legs, but it is done not with an injection but high-intensity light treatments. There are no cuts or needles involved in the process, which can be a benefit to some who are concerned about recovery time or discomfort after the procedure. However, laser therapy is often most appropriate for those with smaller varicose veins.

Using the winter months are a time to recoup from varicose vein treatment is a smart choice, regardless of the type of procedure completed. Work with a vein specialist to fully comprehend treatment options, and have a plan for rest and recovery, so your body has the time it needs to heal properly.