Varicose veins affect millions of people around the world, but because of the stigma surrounding protruding veins, many people try to hide their condition with clothes.

Having varicose veins can be a very alienating experience. But you are definitely not alone in this.

While in most cases it is a cosmetic and not a health issue, many women and some men all around the world feel pressured to cover or remove their faulty veins. Although it may seem like celebrities have flawless skin and bodies, there are many who have dealt with varicose veins.  

Whether they were forced into the spotlight or shared their experience willingly, these celebrities serve as a reminder that varicose veins are a common problem and it can be treated and healed.

Britney Spears

The pop icon of the millennials, Britney has developed varicose veins after giving birth to two children. Unfortunately, fans and tabloids were very unforgiving to the star’s condition. She sought treatment for varicose veins in 2012.

Emma Thompson

The British actress has openly said suffering from varicose veins, admitting that she used to constantly hide them by wearing long dresses or skirts. She received treatment in 2006.

Summer Sanders

Olympic swimmer turned TV show host and actress, Sanders shared her story about the condition and in 2012 became the spokesperson of a campaign called “Rethink Varicose Veins”. The campaign aims to make people more comfortable with the aesthetics of varicose veins, help them overcome the condition and educate the public and dispel common myths. (https://youtu.be/my5b_R1JEFc)

Kristin Davis

The “Sex and the City” star became tabloid fodder when cameras spotted flaws in her once-admired legs. In 2008, the Emmy Award nominee opted for vein treatments.

Janice Dickinson

Considered one of the first supermodels, the former “America’s Next Top Model” judge has admitted frequently going for plastic surgery. She hasn’t openly spoken about the varicose veins, but they have been spotted by the paparazzi.

Serena Williams

Williams’ powerful legs have earned her millions on the tennis court. But in 2011 a pulmonary embolism, a deep vein blood clot that travels to the lungs, gave her a serious health scare. Pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening condition. The example of Williams shows the importance of regular veins check up.

Jessica Alba

The American actress says she hasn’t been seen suffering from varicose veins, but admitted that it runs in her family so when she travels she uses compression socks to ensure correct blood flow and prevent the formation of varicose veins.

As these examples show, even the celebrities are not safe from having varicose veins and suffering from the stigma surrounding them. For some people who suffer from low self-esteem due to the appearance of their legs or for those who developed more serious conditions such as thrombosis, surgery is necessary.

Several options are available to remove spider veins. Here are the ones suggested by the influential Mayo Clinic:

• Sclerotherapy. In this procedure, your doctor injects the veins with a solution that scars and closes those veins, causing the blood to reroute through healthier veins. In a few weeks, treated spider veins fade. Although the same vein may need to be injected more than once, sclerotherapy is usually effective if done correctly.
  Sclerotherapy doesn’t require anesthesia and can be done in your doctor’s office. Side effects include swelling, itching and skin color changes in the treated area.
• Endovenous laser ablation. This type of laser therapy works by sending strong bursts of light into the vein that make the vein slowly fade and disappear. A newer type of endovenous ablation uses radiofrequency energy instead of light. No incisions or needles are used in either procedure.
  The treatment is often less effective than sclerotherapy, particularly for larger veins. Side effects may include redness, bruising, itching, swelling and permanent skin tone changes.

After spider vein treatment, blood vessels fade over several months, but they may not disappear completely. Also, new spider veins can develop in the same area.

While you have to be careful and mindful about your condition, varicose veins most often are just a cosmetic issue, so you don’t have to undergo surgery. In order to relieve some symptoms that may appear at the end of a busy day, you can try compression hosiery.

INTERTEXTILE is a leader and one of the oldest manufacturers of compression hosiery on the Russian market. The company produces hosiery of all classes of compression.

INTERTEXTILE was created in 1997. Starting off with the production of elastic bandages, today it creates the world’s only dimensionless compression hosiery, superior in quality to the products of the world’s largest manufacturers. Thanks to the company’s competitive pricing and distribution policy, INTERTEXTILE products are available to consumers all over the world.

INTERTEXTILE’s mission is to produce the highest quality medical products to help people stay healthy and prevent varicose veins and their development.