But what if I told you there was an easy, quick and proven way to finally be rid of varicose veins?
Well, there is.
It's time to meet a few women who say they're finally thrilled to step into their summer clothing and show off those gams because the unsightly veins are now a thing of the past.
Michelle Medina and Kelly Colby don't know each other, but they have something in common.
Both suffer from varicose veins, made worse by multiple pregnancies and their long hours standing for work.
"It was so painful to walk," Michelle said.
"The leg gets very swollen and there was also a lot of itching," Kelly said.
Varicose veins are a medical condition that worsens if they're not treated.
Healthy veins push blood back to your heart, but varicose veins are diseased and push blood in both directions causing that swollen, painful bulging.
In the past removing the vein, or vein stripping, was you're only course of action, which required surgery and weeks of recovery.
"With the Venefit procedure, we're able to insert this catheter into the abnormal vein through a needle stick," Dr. Charles Dietzek of the Vein & Vascular Institute said.
The catheter heats the wall of the vein, causing it to shrink and seal closed.
The blood will then re-route itself to other healthy veins.
The Venefit procedure only takes about 15 minutes, doesn't require anesthesia, and the patient can go about their day right away.
"There's no downtime which is the dramatic difference," Dr. Dietzek said.
Michelle had her procedure 3 months ago.
"I love it, my veins are like 90% gone," Michelle said.
Dr. Dietzek says patients should feel symptom relief almost instantly. The cosmetic benefits takes a few weeks.
"The pain and the swelling have improved tremendously instant," Kelly said.
If you don't have varicose veins, but are prone to them, there are things you can do to help prevent them.
"By exercising on a regular basis, we are going to get that venous blood out of the extremity," Dr. Dietzek said.
Other preventative steps:
"Fruits that are red, purple or blue are ones that have a lot of bioflavonoids," Dr. Dietzek said.
Also make sure to eat a diet high in fiber.
Supplements can also help with vein health, look for diosmin, horse chestnut extract or butcher's broom.
Or simply rub your legs with witch hazel at the end of the day to lessen any symptoms.
After the Venefit procedure, Michelle can't stop smiling and is even trying to encourage family members to get it done.
"My mom needs it done and my sisters," Michelle said.
Because varicose veins are a medical condition, many insurance companies cover all or part of the Venefit procedure; you will just have to check with your provider.
Vein & Vascular Institute, Dr. Charles Dietzek
Venefit, formerly known as VNUS Closure Procedure
https://www.venefitprocedure.com/
Information on Varicose Veins
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/varicose-veins-topic-overview
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/varicose-veins/basics/definition/con-20043474
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/vv/treatment.html
