“I just LOVE how my varicose veins draw attention to the definition in my hamstrings.”

Said no one. EVER.

Unfortunately, varicose veins are an uncomfortable, bulgy part of life, especially for women, who are three times more prone to developing them than men.

At best, varicose veins are a cosmetic concern. Between their dark blue or purple hue, protruding texture and high visibility – they’re not exactly a welcome addition to our gams. At worst, if veins are knotty and torturous, they can cause ulcers, discomfort, inflammation that can lead to pain and even blood clots.

We recently got a chance to speak with Dr. Sandy Skotnicki, dermatologist extraordinaire, Medical Director of Bay Dermatology Centre and member of the LivRelief Natural Health & Wellness Advisory Board, about varicose vein prevention and the latest non-invasive treatments that work great and won’t break the bank.

As a little girl, I remember my grandmother tapping my knee every time I crossed my legs and then pointing to her varicose veins. Was grandma right? According to Dr. Skotnicki, sitting like a lady does not lead to unsightly veins, it’s nothing more than an old wives tale.

So, what actually causes varicose veins? There are several factors, like family history and jobs that require frequent standing. A major cause is rapid increase in weight, with pregnancy being the prime example. Veins function to bring blood to the heart with the help of one-way valves. During pregnancy, the wall of the vein becomes weakened and stretched with weight gain in abdomen and increase in blood volume. If this happens near a valve, it becomes leaky and blood begins flowing backwards. This increases the pressure in the vein and causes a domino effect, causing other valves to leak. As a result, blood pools in the legs and the enlarged veins have no choice but to pop out and form varicose veins.

But it’s not all bad, dear SDTC readers. There are preventative actions we can take to help reduce the risk of venous diseases like varicose veins and spider veins. We can exercise to maintain proper blood circulation in our legs. We can also steady our weight through healthy eating habits. If we have a strong family history of venous disease, we can go one step further and start rocking compression stockings, which use super-strong elastics. They act as a preventative measure and also guard against further progression of varicose veins. By compressing the leg they cause an increase in blood flow velocity, thereby preventing additional varicose veins from rearing their tangled little heads.


If we’re too late, and you already have a couple of these buggers making their way up your leg, we can help too! As long as veins are on the milder side, there are still plenty of non-surgical solutions available to you. Aside from injections and fancy lasers, there is a new, natural product called LivRelief Varicose Vein Cream. Unlike other topical treatments, it’s formulated with a snazzy delivery system that allows active ingredients to get into veins and decrease their diameter. And it’s available over the counter. Find out more about the new LivRelief Varicose Vein Cream here.

And we’ve got a coupon for $10 off any LivRelief product – redeem at a participating retailer or online at www.livrelief.com using code ‘ORR#4’. BAM.