Spider Vein Treatment – Let’s show off those legs again!
If you sometimes avoid showing your legs because you have spider veins — those small clusters of red, blue or purple veins that appear on the thighs, calves and ankles — you are not alone. It’s estimated that at least half of all women are bothered by this common cosmetic problem. And there are solutions for you with spider vein treatment.
If you would like to reduce the appearance of your spider veins, there are very effective, safe and relatively painless methods available to treat spider veins – from lasers to Sclerotherapy. We recommend starting with a consultation with one of our skincare experts.
In some women, spider veins become noticeable in their early 20’s. For others, the veins may not become obvious until they reach their 40s. Men get spider veins, too. However, usually, they are concealed by hair growth on the leg. A number of factors may contribute to the development of spider veins in the legs, including:
- Heredity
- Pregnancy
- Hormonal shifts
- Weight gain
- Occupations or activities that require prolonged sitting or standing
Sclerotherapy
A common method of treating spider veins in the legs and ankles is with sclerotherapy. In this treatment, a solution (generally a salt solution) is injected directly into each affected vein to collapse them. The solution irritates the lining of the blood vessel, causing it to swell and stick together, and the blood to clot. Over time, the vessel turns into scar tissue, eliminating their visibility.
Although everyone is different, you can generally expect to receive one injection for every inch of spider vein that is treated. Bright light and magnification may be used to ensure maximum precision while the skin is held taut to inject sclerosing solution. A cotton ball and compression tape are often applied to each injection site as it is finished.
Compression stocking are to be worn for a few days following, as well as a limitation of strenuous activities. Sclerotherapy requires no anesthesia and is performed in-office. Two or more sessions, each lasting less than 30 minutes are usually required to obtain optimal results. Patients with a large number of spider veins may require multiple treatments.
Laser
This type of laser therapy works by sending strong bursts of light into the vein that make the vein slowly fade and disappear. A newer type of endovenous ablation uses radiofrequency energy instead of light. No incisions or needles are used in either procedure.
The treatment is often less effective than sclerotherapy, particularly for larger veins. Side effects may include redness, bruising, itching, swelling and permanent skin tone changes. You will want to discuss all of this at your consultation.
After spider vein treatment, blood vessels fade over several months, but they may not disappear completely. Also, new spider veins can develop in the same area.