Spider veins are harmless, but they ruin the flawless skin of an individual. This pushes many spider vein patients to seek different treatments like sclerotherapy and laser treatments. But for those who want a different way to cover up the unsightly appearance of spider veins, tattooing over this vein disease is an option that only a few individuals try.
So is it safe to get a tattoo over spider veins? Tattooing can be done on a patient with spider veins as long as their skin is healthy and undamaged. However, it isn’t a safe way to conceal spider veins because it won’t treat the venous disease, it might worsen the condition, and it makes the visible veins look worse.
What Tattooing Does To Spider Veins
Tattooing is a type of body modification that people use to express themselves. Some tattoos also carry cultural significance. According to a survey by Ipsos, about 30% of Americans have at least one tattoo in different parts of their bodies. There are several different reasons why people start getting tattoos – some of them even use it to cover up different skin issues like spider veins.
Although tattooing over the skin with spider veins is possible, it’s not recommended because of several concerns that affect the patient’s overall health and medical history. Here are three reasons why you shouldn’t get a tattoo to cover up the spider veins:
1. It Won’t Treat the Venous Disease
The appearance of spider veins is often the result of chronic venous insufficiency, a condition in which the blood doesn’t flow back to the heart because of faulty vein valves. If left untreated, this cosmetic concern may lead to more serious health problems like poor blood circulation, poor vein health, skin ulcers, skin discoloration, and more.
Tattoos simply cover up the visible veins on the skin, but it doesn’t treat the diseased blood vessels or the venous condition in any way. It also makes it difficult for doctors and vein treatment specialists to see the thread veins. If you’re planning to get a tattoo in an area with visible spider veins, it’s better to get the veins treated first to avoid serious complications.
2. It Might Worsen the Appearance of Spider Veins
Getting inked in the area where there are spider veins and varicose veins won’t help minimize or reduce its appearance. It could even cause the damaged veins to bulge or protrude. Although tattooing is a safe and effective option for concealing scar tissue and stretch marks, doing the same to spider veins might lead to an infection.
Some people might argue that the tattoo needles won’t reach deep enough to accidentally puncture the damaged veins. However, if the patient doesn’t have enough subcutaneous fat in the area, there’s a huge chance that the tattoo needle might pierce the damaged vein as it injects the ink during the tattooing process. These cases are rare, but they’re a serious concern if they happen.
3. It Threatens Your Overall Health
As mentioned before, tattooing might be harmful if the needle pierces any of the affected veins in the process. This results in infection, deep vein thrombosis, as well as spontaneous bleeding that affects the organs nearby. Spider veins and other venous conditions also have a long healing process because it’s already damaged and unhealthy.
In such situations, patients need to head to a vein clinic or emergency room immediately and ask the doctor to close the ruptured vein. This causes painful complications and additional stress to the patient, which affects their overall wellness and health. It’s always important to get spider vein treatment first before getting a tattoo in the same area.
Other Vein Removal Treatments to Try Instead of Tattooing
For patients who still want to get a tattoo on the area with visible veins, it’s better to see a vein specialist or vascular surgeon first to get medical advice and proper treatment. Here are other spider vein removal procedures that vein specialists may recommend:
Compression Stockings
Compression stockings are one of the most effective home remedies for spider veins and varicose veins. They work by increasing pressure in the legs which leads to improved blood flow and the appearance of spider veins. These special stockings also relieve leg swelling and reduce the chances of blood clots in the area.
Compression stockings come in three different kinds:
- Support Pantyhose – This type of compression stocking provides light pressure on the legs. It’s available online or in pharmacies.
- Gradient Compression Stockings – This type of stockings offers medium pressure around the calves, ankles, and feet. They’re also available in pharmacies, specialist stores, and online.
- Prescription Compression Stocking – These compression stockings give the most pressure to the legs and feet. They’re only available for a prescription because they’re not suitable for patients with cardiovascular problems.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is one of the most common treatments for spider veins in different parts of the body. It’s a minimally invasive procedure that involves injecting a sclerosing agent into the affected vein. The sclerosant irritates the damaged vein, causing it to stick together and prevent blood pools from forming there.
Sclerotherapy reduces swelling in the area and causes the veins to shrink so they won’t be visible on the surface of the skin anymore. Multiple treatments are needed to achieve the best results after a few weeks. Patients are also required to wear compression stockings for several days or weeks after the treatment.
VeinGogh
VeinGogh is a minimally invasive treatment that’s effective for removing a cluster of small spider veins (also known as telangiectasia). It utilizes an innovative process known as the Ohmic Thermolysis System that sends micro-bursts of heat to the diseased blood vessels. VeinGogh precisely targets the spider veins to minimize the risk of damage to the surrounding vessels and tissues.
This advanced procedure doesn’t cause discomfort or long downtime. It’s also suitable for people with different skin types and tones. Some patients only need one VeinGogh treatment while others require about 2-3 treatments to experience the best results.
Laser Treatment
Laser technology is used for treating a wide range of conditions, including spider veins. Laser therapy for venous conditions involves delivering the laser heat to dry and clot the damaged veins. They’re less invasive than sclerotherapy and other conventional vein removal procedures, which is why many patients try laser treatments to reduce the appearance of spider veins.
Laser vein removal makes the skin sensitive after the procedure, which is why it’s important to find a trusted dermatologist to help minimize the discomfort and reduce the chances of developing serious complications. This procedure also requires multiple treatments to achieve the best results.
IPL Treatment
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy also utilizes light to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin better. The light emitted by the IPL device doesn’t damage the top layers of the skin, allowing the skin to recover more quickly.
Although IPL therapy works like laser treatment for spider veins, the former requires more treatment sessions to ensure that the patient gets the best results.
Get the Best Spider Vein Treatments at Vein Center Doctor Now
Although most spider vein treatments are done for cosmetic purposes, tattooing over the visible veins might lead to serious complications. For the best spider vein treatments, consult with a trusted vein center like Vein Center Doctor.
Our highly trained staff are experienced in providing the most advanced spider vein treatments to help restore your healthy, vein-free skin. Say goodbye to spider veins and bring back your youthful look. Book an appointment with us today to experience the best spider vein treatments in NJ and NY.
