Tattoos and Varicose Veins: What You Should Know

Tattoos have become a huge part of today’s society. We’ve seen how women and men of all ages and backgrounds have used tattoos to express their individuality. For some people, tattoos are a convenient way to conceal some imperfections on the body. These can be a birthmark, scar, another tattoo, or even varicose veins.

If you’ve suffered from varicose veins, you might have considered covering them up with a tattoo. But since varicose veins are a medical issue, you might have wondered: “Is it even safe to tattoo over my varicose veins?”

Unfortunately, getting a tattoo over your varicose veins can potentially cause some vein complications. Keep reading to learn more.

First, what are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are swollen, enlarged, and twisted veins with a blue or purple tint. They develop when vein valves or vein walls become damaged. When the one-way valves in veins become damaged, they can cause blood to flow backwards and pool in the vein. Over time, the vein can become raised, swollen, and discoloured.

Symptoms of varicose veins can include:

• Bulging veins
• Heaviness, cramping, or a throbbing or burning sensation in the legs
• Itching around the affected area
• Skin discolouration
• Swelling in the feet and ankles

If left untreated, varicose veins can become quite uncomfortable and develop into other harmful conditions such as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), venous ulcers, or superficial thrombophlebitis.

Why you should never tattoo over varicose veins

Even if your skin is clear from varicose veins, tattoos can be a risky business. That’s because there’s always a small chance of developing an infection. When you tattoo over your varicose veins, the risks are amplified even more.

The bulging vein can distort the appearance of your tattoo in unexpected ways. Furthermore, the process of getting a tattoo involves applying pressure on the skin while injecting ink through a needle at a high frequency. This may cause the vein to rupture, bleed into the surrounding tissue, and lead to an infection.

And while a tattoo may be a great way for you to disguise the vein, it would make it difficult for your doctor to detect the vein to properly diagnose it.

Are there other options besides tattoos?

If the intended purpose of getting a tattoo is to cover up your veins, then consider some of these ways to reduce vein appearance. On the other hand, compression stockings are always a good option. They not only do a great job of hiding the veins, but they also improve blood circulation and alleviate symptoms such as pain and swelling.

Regular exercise and eating a diet rich in antioxidants and bioflavonoids are also beneficial for the circulatory system. Additionally, arnica cream has been shown to alleviate some of the pain and discomfort associated with varicose veins.

But still, proper treatment is the best option

Laser Treatment Options | You Don’t Need Surgery to Get Rid of Varicose Veins — YouTube

If you’re experiencing these symptoms and your varicose veins have been bothering you, it might be time to seek treatment. Luckily, surgery is no longer the only option.

At The Vein Institute, we offer a walk-in walk-out experience with our minimally invasive treatment options. These include Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA), Radiofrequency Ablation, Medical Superglue, ClariVein, and Sclerotherapy.

To find the best treatment program for you, call us at 13 VEINS (13 83467) to book your consultation. Or, fill out this form and we’ll be in touch.