| VEINS AND VASCULAR CONDITIONS |
| Types of Lesions: |
 Spider
VeinsSpider veins are usually found close to the surface of the skin. They are caused by small blood vessels that dilate, or swell up, to the point where they prevent the blood from flowing properly. These veins are often fed by other veins that are deeper under the skin, making it more difficult to treat spider veins effectively. Spider veins have many of the same causes and symptoms as varicose veins, and patients often suffer from both conditions at the same time. Successful treatment of spider veins can add to your physical comfort as well as your physical appearance. |
Broken Capillaries Capillaries are tiny blood vessels that connect arteries and veins. Your body contains thousands of capillaries, so it's not surprising that over time a number of them will break. For the most part, broken capillaries are virtually invisible. However, when a person has many broken capillaries in one area, they can begin to appear as red streaks or blotches. The most irritating are small red ones that appear on the face, especially on the nose and cheek areas. Other common bothersome locations are the neck and chest areas above the neckline. Broken capillaries are generally caused by aging, trauma, sun exposure, and certain lifestyle factors. While usually not physically harmful, they can detract from a person's appearance. |
 Red
BirthmarksBirthmarks appear in a variety of sizes and are largely the result of abnormal pigmentation in the skin. Red birthmarks are caused by an excess of red pigment, with their color on the skin ranging from a dark maroon to fairly bright red. While birthmarks seldom lead to serious physical illness, they can be a definite burden on people who are born with them. |
 Port
Wine StainsSimilar in appearance to red birthmarks, port wine stains show up as red or purple blotches on the skin. Although cosmetic in nature, they are generally caused by tiny ruptured feeder veins deep beneath skin. So, while the symptoms are at the skin's surface, the problem itself originates at a fairly deep subsurface level and can cause medical concerns, depending on location. Port wine stains appear in 0.3% to 0.5% of newborns and tend to grow progressively darker. With time, they often grow thicker, changing the texture of the skin and becoming more difficult to treat |
Vascular
Malformations Since there are thousands of veins in each human body's vascular system, it's not uncommon to have a few malformed veins. However, when the number of malformed veins is excessive, and they begin to interfere with the vascular system's ability to carry blood through the body, significant medical and cosmetic problems can arise. Symptoms may include poor circulation, feelings of cold in the hands and feet, and purpled veins and blotches visible at or just below the skin's surface. |
 HemangiomasAnother type of vascular malformation, hemangiomas are typically raised, protuberant lesions that consist of dilated vessels which often appear within one month of birth. Approximately 10% of all babies are born with hemangiomas. Although there is some regression during the first few years, by age 12, 10% to 12% of hemangiomas have some kind of growing, expanding lesions. In adults the most common hemangiomas are cherry angiomas that appear as red, smooth projections. |
 ScarsFew of us go through life without acquiring a few scars from accidents, surgery, or disease like acne. Scars are nature's response to the healing of a skin tissue wound, and may involve tiny red vessels called venules that appear beneath the scar tissue and give it its red appearance. The larger and more visible the scar, the more unsightly and disfiguring is its effect. |
