Spider Vein Treatment
Do you notice small, red/purple/blue veins twisting across your legs or even your face? Known as spider veins, these marks are easily visible through the skin and increase in appearance as we age. Although harmless, spider veins are a nuisance to many people because of the way they look. As a result, spider vein treatment has become a common cosmetic treatment for those who want them removed as quickly as possible.
What Causes Spider Veins?
Ultimately, spider veins are caused by increased pressure within the veins. Their prevalence is hereditary, and they increasingly become apparent as we get older (especially in women). Other factors that predispose people to spider veins include:
- Occupations or activities that require prolonged sitting or standing
- Hormonal influences like pregnancy, puberty and menopause
- Previous medical history dealing with blood clots
- Weight fluctuation
How are Spider Veins Treated?
There are two options we offer to successfully treat and reduce the appearance of spider veins:
Sclerotherapy: A treatment that involves injecting a solution into a vein, which causes it to scar, close up, and force blood to reroute through healthier veins. Scarring typically fades and clears up within a few weeks. In some cases, sclerotherapy may need to be used a second time for full effectiveness. No anesthesia is needed for this procedure. Some patients may experience minor side effects such as itching, swelling, and skin color changes to treated areas.
Laser Surgery: Patients can also opt for laser treatment, which better targets smaller, reddish spider veins that are harder to treat using sclerotherapy. Strong bursts of light are sent into a vein, which makes the vein slowly fade and disappear. Side effects from laser treatment can include redness, itching, swelling and bruising.
What are the Long-Term Results?
Treated spider veins will eventually fade over time, but they may not disappear completely. There’s also a chance that new spider veins develop in the same area that was recently treated. Unlike other cosmetology surgeries that have longer waiting periods between treatments, spider vein removal sessions can be done regularly depending on the doctor’s recommendation.
If you’re interested in reducing and eventually eliminating the appearance of spider veins, contact our office to schedule a consultation with our specialists. We’re ready to answer any questions you might have about our treatment options, what to expect, and the best plan for you.