Spider Vein Treatments

Spider veins and varicose veins are both visible skin surface symptoms of what is known as venous insufficiency. Venous insufficiency is the inability of the veins in an afflicted leg to pump blood back into the heart after circulation. At this point the blood that stops circulating through the veins start to accumulate in the legs – this is the beginning of the disease which causes both spider veins and varicose veins.

What are spider veins?
Why do spider veins develop?
How do I get rid of spider veins?
What is spider vein removal?
What does laser vein treatment feel like?
Is laser vein removal safe?
What should I expect after the spider vein treatment?

What are spider veins?

Spider veins, just like varicosities, develop in people with venous insufficiency due to increased pressure of the blood in venous system. “Spiders” form when microscopic capillaries of the skin become dilated by that pressure.

In Latin it is called “telangiectasia”. Obviously, just like with varicose veins, spider veins do not represent a disease by themselves, but rather a different manifestation of venous insufficiency. As such, the spider veins should not be treated prior to resolution of their underlying cause, venous insufficiency.

The pictures above depict an extreme case of Spider Veins.

Spider Veins are blood vessels that return blood to the heart. There are tiny veins that drain the skin. They are usually so small that they are hard to see. When they get too big, they become unsightly and these are called spider veins. They are small red or purple veins just below the surface of the skin. Usually they are flat, but sometimes you can feel them.

These red/purple veins are fed by greenish blue veins that are larger and a bit deeper (just below the skin). These are called reticular veins. Because they feed spider veins, they need to be treated at the same time as the spiders.

Why do spider veins develop?

There are two reasons that the tiny veins of the skin get bigger and become a cosmetic concern:

• Hormones
• Back pressure

Hormones: about 80% of spider veins are actually caused by female hormones. Puberty, birth control pills and pregnancy all increase the formation of spider veins. However, even the normal amount of female hormones is enough to trigger spider veins. Although it is rare, it is still possible for men to get spider veins.

Back-pressure: varicose veins are larger veins in which blood flows downward into the leg. However, the blood should actually flow upwards towards the heart. The pressure inside the veins is transferred to tiny veins in the skin creating spider veins. These veins can be found anywhere on the legs.

How do I get rid of spider veins?

The best treatment for spider veins of the legs is sclerotherapy. Multiple injections are done into the red/purple spider veins and into the green/blue reticular veins that feed them.

In some cases, varicose veins feed the spiders, and these need to be treated first. Sometimes these varicose veins are not visible. We search for them by listening with a Doppler or looking with ultrasound. About 20% of the patients who come to us thinking they only have spider veins actually have hidden underlying varicose veins.

What is spider vein removal?

The most effective form of spider vein removal is using foam sclerotherapy.

What does laser vein treatment feel like?

A doctor will move the laser over your vein. You may feel a light, tingling sensation but not much more.

Is laser vein removal safe?

The laser vein treatments are skin-safe and comfortable. Your USA Vein Clinic Physician will go over both the risks and benefits of the treatment with you during your initial consultation.

What should I expect after the spider vein treatment?

Immediately after the treatment, one of the following outcomes may occur:

• The vessel disappears
• The vessel darkens
• The vessel shrinks

Only a few hours following the procedure, the bulging appearance of vessels or any kind of inflammation should disappear.

The surrounding skin may then turn pink or even become slightly swollen for up to 24 hours. The treated vessels will disappear in 2 to 6 weeks. Usually between 1 and 4 treatments are necessary to achieve full results on the veins. Additional vein removal treatments should be scheduled 4 to 6 weeks apart.

After a laser spider vein removal procedure at USA Vein Clinic, you are strongly advised to avoid direct exposure to sunlight. With knowledge and experience in vascular problems, the team at USA Vein Clinic team is able to treat a variety of great results.