Summer is just around the corner. You're looking forward to wearing shorts, sleeveless shirts, camisoles and swimsuits.

But when you look at your legs or upper arms, you start to have second thoughts about wearing more revealing summer clothes. Because over the winter, it appears that some unsightly, thread-like reddish or bluish veins near the surface of the skin have made their presence known.

You're Not Alone
Those small red or blue veins on the backs of your thighs, calves or ankles are called spider veins (they look like spider webs with their short jagged lines, hence their name). They can occur on the face and upper arms as well, and are more common in women than in men. In fact, about half of the adult female population will develop spider veins during their lifetime. more

1. Botox®
Botox can minimize and even prevent the appearance of frown and forehead lines. Because Botox relaxes the muscle, frowning won't cause a crease between the eyebrows to develop. Even if someone already has frown lines, Botox can smooth them out, sometimes completely. While Botox lasts for about three months, with regular injections clients find treatments can be spaced up to six months apart.

2. Fillers
Injected fillers add volume and "plump up" the skin. Restylane® and newer fillers like Juvederm™ can last for up to six months and require no allergy testing.

3. Exfoliation
Exfoliation removes the dead skin cells which affect the dermis, or top layer of the skin (where collagen and elastin live). Exfoliation sends signals to the cells in the lower layer that they must increase their rate of replication, boosting skin's fresh appearance. Try this: Microdermabrasion with a light chemical peel.

4. Peels
People in the 30 - 60 age range can win the battle against sun-induced dark areas, lines and wrinkles with chemical peels. Active ingredients like glycolic acid or beta-hydroxy acids can serve as a mild peeling agent to clarify the skin. Try this: Acqua Blu's Vitamin A Peel, an ideal post-winter "perk-up" skin treatment.

5. Intense Pulse Light (IPL) treatments
Referred to as the "photofacial," this treatment stimulates collagen production to not only repair fine lines but also treat brown spots, capillaries, diffused redness in the skin and textural changes that result from sun damage. A photofacial can actually reverse the effects of sun damage.

6. Home Maintenance
A good home skincare regimen has been proven to prevent, slow and even reverse sun damage. A key component: retinol-based products that help complexions look brighter, smoother, and more even. Try these: Acqua Blu Retin A Cream, Medicalia Retinol Concentrate, or Medicalia Smoothing Cream.

Patients have always been thrilled by the results they achieve with Restylane, the safe and natural cosmetic dermal filler that restores volume and fullness to the lips and nasolabial folds (or "laugh lines"). But now we're happy to announce that they have even more to smile about!

Scientific Evidence
A recent study shows that Restylane actually helps the skin create new collagen on its own. This is very exciting news in the "fight" against aging! The study, conducted by the University of Michigan, found that Restylane works by stretching fibroblasts (the cells in the skin that make collagen) in a way that causes the skin to create new collagen - something that an injectable dermal filler never did before!

How It Works
In young people, fibroblasts are naturally stretched, giving the skin a smooth, youthful appearance. As we age, the fibroblasts become more relaxed and less able to stretch. As a result, they do not release as much collagen, causing creases and wrinkles to appear. But scientists have discovered that by using Restylane, new collagen will develop on its own, helping to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Restylane is made of non-animal hyaluronic acid, a substance found naturally in the human body.

Before	After
Brain V. Heil, MD

More Good News!
If that weren't enough good news, the study also found that Restylane stops the breakdown of existing collagen (which occurs with age), thereby helping to maintain the skin's youthful appearance for years to come.

So come in and let us give you something to smile about with Restylane!

Many Causes
Spider veins can develop for many reasons:

• Pregnancy
• Hormonal changes
• Weight gain
• Birth control pills
• Menopause
• Hormone therapy
• Constricted clothing
• Prolonged sitting or standing
• Sun exposure (especially in fair-skinned women).

Get Rid of Them
Whatever the cause, there's no reason to put up with spider veins. Lasers have been developed that erase them safely, quickly and conveniently - with no downtime. Laser treatment is also popular because it requires no needles or incisions, and results are fast.

Before	After
Brain V. Heil, MD

How It Works
Because laser treatment is so quick and easy, it may seem like magic - but it's really state-of-the-art science. A specialized laser sends very strong bursts of light energy (heat) through the skin and directly to the problem vein. This makes the vein fade and disappear.

There is virtually no discomfort with laser vein removal (we cool the treated area to minimize any sensation of heat), and there's no downtime - you can be back to your normal activities right after treatment. And the process is fast - a treatment session lasts about 15 minutes. Usually, one or two treatments are needed for eliminating spider veins. Results generally are permanent (but if you're prone to spider veins, more abnormal veins can develop over time).

Do It for Your Health
For health as well as cosmetic reasons, it's a good idea to zap spider veins as soon as they appear. While they're usually not as painful as enlarged varicose veins, spider veins are still liable to bleed and worsen without treatment.

To learn more, give us a call.