Varicose Veins Specialist

STL Vein & Cosmetics

Varicose Vein Specialist & Cosmetic & Laser Center located in South County & Creve Coeur, St. Louis, MO

You may think the bulging lumps of tangled veins on your legs are a cosmetic issue, but varicose veins may be a sign of a medical condition known as chronic venous insufficiency. At STL Vein & Cosmetics, with two offices in St. Louis, Missouri, Eric Mai, MD, and the team specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of varicose veins. They’re the only office in St. Louis that offers non-surgical, non-invasive treatments to get rid of the unsightly veins. Call the office or book an appointment online today.

Varicose Veins Q&A

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are dilated veins near the surface of your skin. They may occur anywhere on the body but most often affect the legs.

Like many people, you may consider your enlarged, gnarled, purple leg veins a cosmetic concern you want to hide, but varicose veins are a symptom of chronic venous insufficiency.

With chronic venous insufficiency, your veins have a hard time returning blood to your heart and lungs for reoxygenation. The blood then pools somewhere along the way, usually in the veins in the legs. This pooling of blood causes the veins to enlarge.

What causes varicose veins?

Varicose veins are an inherited circulatory disorder, and prolonged standing or sitting exacerbates the condition.

Your veins have a network of one-way valves that open and close in coordination with muscle contractions to circulate blood back to your heart and lungs.

Varicose veins, and chronic venous insufficiency, develop from damage to the valves or walls of your veins. This damage prevents the valves from closing, allowing the blood to pool backward, creating the enlarged, dilated varicose veins.

What are the symptoms of varicose veins?

Most people with varicose veins focus on the aesthetic aspects of their condition. However, your varicose veins may cause physical symptoms, such as:

Leg pain
Aching or throbbing in the legs
Restless legs when at rest or sleeping
Night-time leg cramps
Swelling in the ankles
Leg fatigue or heaviness
Red or brown patches on the lower legs
Leg ulcers

Varicose vein symptoms vary from person-to-person. However, even if your symptoms are mild or only “cosmetic,” you should schedule an appointment at STL Vein & Cosmetics for an evaluation.

How are varicose veins treated?

The STL Vein & Cosmetics team develops individualized treatment plans for varicose veins based on the severity of your vein problem. The goal of treatment is to improve circulation, so your legs no longer hurt or ache.

Treatment options include:

Endovenous laser ablation

Your provider uses a special laser to ablate (burn) the problematic vein wall during endovenous laser ablation.

Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy

For large varicose veins, the team at STL Vein & Cosmetics uses ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy. STL Vein & Cosmetics uses Varithena™ for their foam sclerotherapy treatments.

Visual sclerotherapy

The team at STL Vein & Cosmetics uses visual sclerotherapy for smaller varicose veins and spider veins. To ease symptoms, they also recommend compression stockings and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication.

For expert care of your varicose veins, call STL Vein & Cosmetics or book an appointment online today.

What we offer