JENNIFER LOPEZ AMAZING O/OSPRING

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JENNIFER
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PAGE 345
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GET A LEG UP!.
Secrets to Treating Varicose Veins
When you decide to show off your gams this spring, the last thing you want to showcase is a spidery,
blue-green bulge on your calves. We quizzed doctors for a decade-by-decade plan of attack
20, 30, 40,
Varicose veins can be
hereditary, but sitting still
for hours can inhibit blood
flow in legs, contributing to
the formation of swollen
vessels. So move around
once every hour or two,
and when you get home,
prop up those limbs. Run
an exfoliating dry brush
over them for 10 minutes
to help stimulate circulation
and prevent blood from
pooling, which may enlarge
veins, says N.Y.C. dermatologist Jeannette Graf.
Apply SPF daily to block the
UVs that cause skin to thin,
making veins more visible.
Earth Therapeutics Body Brush,
$10; earththerapeutics.com.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Stick
SPF 70, $10; at drugstores.
-
Bulges may make their
debut, as faulty valves and
weak vascular walls prompt
a backup of blood. Pregnancy hormones and belly
weight can cause dilation
and stretching, allowing
blood to pool, says Luis
Navarro, a N.Y.C. phlebologist (vein specialist). Use an
antioxidant lotion to protect
firming collagen proteins,
says N.Y.C. dermatologist
Joshua Zeichner, and give
compression stockings a try
for four days or nights a
week; they squeeze veins to
up circulation and prevent
them from appearing worse
overtime.
To counteract the continuing loss of elasticity (and
thicken skin so veins are less
visible), stick to your daily
SPF and switch to a body
cream with ingredients like
retinol or growth factors,
says Dr. Zeichner. On
days you ditch your hose,
mask marks with a veil
of warm-toned airbrush
makeup, like this spray
from Sally Hansen, which
provides a lightweight layer
of coverage.
Paula's Choice Resist Retinol
Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment,
$27; paulaschoice.com. Sally
Hansen Airbrush Legs in Light
Glow, $14; at drugstores.
NiveaSkin Firming
Moisturizer with
Chances are those ropy
tubes are on display, thanks
to a mix of thinner skin,
lagging circulation, and
perhaps a more sedentary
lifestyle. (If they run in your
family, you're 20 percent
more likely to see them, says
Dr. Navarro.) Do daily doses
of SPF and retinol cream.
If you're also dealing with
black-and-blues—because
when veins are more dilated,
they're at a higher risk for
rupturing and bruising—
consider applying a cream
with vitamin K, which may
help reduce the bruising,
says Dr. Zeichner. Upgrade
to a dense creamy base for a
temporary disappearing act.
Vita-K Professional $15; at
Walgreens.
Dermablend
Professional
Leg & Body
Cover, $30; derma
blend.com.
13.5 fl. oz.;
amazon.com.
RejuvaHealth
Pantyhose,
$70; rejuva
health.com.
EXIT STRATEGIES
STICK IT TO SMALL ONES SCLEROTHERAPY
ZAP THE BAD BOYS ENDOVENOUS LASERS
What it is Small veins are injected with a chemical solution that
hardens and destroys them. Results While blood vessels may seem
to vanish once injected, it can take several weeks for the body to
absorb the remnants for a total disappearance, says Mitchel
Goldman, a dermatologic surgeon in San Diego. Cost It starts
around $500 to treat legs; one or several sessions may be needed,
depending on the person (and it may not be covered by insurance,
says Dr. Navarro). Touch-ups may be required if new veins develop.
Pain factor Except for the pricks of a needle, the injection
of FDA-approved solutions, such as Asclera, is painless, says
Dr. Goldman, and usually takes less than a half hour.
Downtime None. There may be slight bruising. Patients must wear
compression stockings for a week, however. For more info
Consult a phlebologist (a vein specialist) to discuss options.
What it is A doctor performs an ultrasound to locate veins, then
inserts laser energy to seal off and remove them. Results Large
veins look less pronounced right away. Plus, by eliminating larger
varicose veins, some smaller, superficial ones will later shrink on their
own, says Dr. Navarro. (Some doctors recommend a sclerotherapy
treatment after for maximum results.) Cost It can run around $2,000
to $5,000 for both legs but varies depending on insurance coverage.
One session is typically needed. Pain factor Since a local
anesthetic is typically used, you may surfer only the pinch of a needle
during the procedure. Some patients require a pain reliever to
combat any soreness for a couple of days afterward, says
Dr. Navarro. Downtime You can return to work the same or next
day, though you'll need to wear bandages or compression stockings.
For more info See a phlebologist to talk about treatments.
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I n S t y l e / A P R I L 2014