Varicose Veins – Does Hosiery Help?
The wearing of certain types of hosiery can assist an individual if they are suffering from varicose veins.
Weakness in the connecting tissues around the veins causes varicose veins. When these tissues stop supporting the valves from meeting properly and keeping the blood flow the right way, there is a reversal in the flow. This causes an enlargement of the veins that presents an unsightly image and great pain to the individual.
The wearing of compression hosiery is one of the methods to help solve the problem. This type of support hosiery is different to the regular ones, applying extra pressure on the legs to improve the circulation of blood, and avoid varicose veins from occurring.
Choosing the right type of support hosiery is important, with a varying level of support provided by the different grades. Usually, you can choose between light, medium, firm and extra firm; with each grade providing more support, choosing one according to the severity and daily workload is recommended.
Size matters; since one that doesn’t fit completely will not be able to serve its purpose effectively. For those with a severe case, it is advisable to consult a medical practitioner and get the best option that suits their need.
There is also the option of getting tights that have a varying level of support for different parts of the leg. Hence, if you have swollen ankles due to the extra pressure being exerted on them, you can choose to go with the appropriate type of hosiery that gives more support to that area of your leg.
For individuals who do not suffer from varicose veins, but are either on their feet for long periods, or have regular aches in their legs, or have a family history of this ailment, prevention is recommended, and investing in a pair of supporting tights should be considered.
So, by choosing the right type of tights, ones that provide good support and comfort to your legs, you can get help with varicose veins.
Denier of Hosiery Explained
The term denier refers to the thickness that a material possesses. Tights and pantyhose are classified on the basis of their thickness.
When assessed scientifically, denier is a unit of measure to calculate the density of weave in tights, resulting in either an opaque or transparent nature. Tights are thin and transparent when their denier is low, and vice versa.
The scale for the denier of tights ranges from 3 to 100:
• 3 is given to the thinnest tights that are extremely delicate and need extra care and attention when in use, since a slight prick can damage them.
• 15 forms the standards level in tights. They are thick enough to provide a nice cover to the legs, but still not too visible.
• With a semi-opaque nature, 30 denier tights are recommended when needing to wear a dark colour.
• 100 denier tights are the thickest and highest denier produced, being complete opaque.
Which denier level you choose depends on the role the tights need to fulfil. The standard level is normally perfect if you want enough coverage, but the invisible appearance. The thicker versions are ideal for the cold months of winter, keeping you warm by becoming another layer under your clothes.
Keep in mind that the lower denier tights need you to exercise extra caution when using them, as tights generally are delicate and can snag or get ladders. Remember to take precautions, regardless of which denier your tights are.
So with the large variety available, and an understanding now of denier, you are sure to find the tights and pantyhose that fulfil your needs to the highest degree.
Tights – An Introduction to Women’s Hosiery
Tights, also known as pantyhose, are sheer , close fitting leg coverings almost exclusively worn by women. Just like stockings, tights are usually made of nylon often with added Lycra. The one-piece tights garment first appeared in the 1960s and provided ladies with a convenient alternative to stockings and suspenders. Another variation are hold ups (also referred to as Stay Ups or Thigh Highs) which are stockings with a band of silicone and elastic sewn to the top thus ensuring that the stockings stay in place when worn. With hold-ups the wearer doesn’t need a suspender belt and doesn’t show suspender bumps through skirts, dresses or other tight fitting clothing.
In American English, the difference between pantyhose (sometimes misspelled pantihose)
and womens tights is determined by the weight of the yarn used and the thickness to which the garment is knitted. Generally, anything up to 40 denier is referred to as pantyhose and anything over can be classified as tights. In the UK the word “tights” is generically used when referring to all grades of hosiery.
Tights were invented in the US in 1959 by Allen Grant, Sr. By definition, a garment consisting of both leg coverings joined together with a panty upper section, hence the term “pantyhose”, referring to the combination of panties with sheer nylon hosiery.
The main benefit of wearing tights is the convenience of not having to adjust them as much, combined with the fact that they leave a much smoother line under close fitting clothing. Most women find tights far more convenient and comfortable than stockings.