Spider veins are very common. The Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center offers a variety of procedures to treat spider veins. We can develop a customized treatment plan designed to meet your unique needs.
What Are Spider Veins?
Spider veins are a collection of superficial skin veins most commonly occurring on the legs. They often resemble a spider’s web; however, they can also appear as branches or lines on the skin. Spider veins are usually blue, red, or purple in color.
What Causes Spider Veins?
Some of the factors known to cause spider veins include:
- Genetics
- Pregnancy
- Prolonged sitting
- Prolonged standing
- Injury
Prolonged sitting or standing can cause blood to pool in the legs, leading to increased pressure to the veins. Over time, this can lead to spider veins as well as larger veins such as reticular or varicose veins.
With some patients, spider veins can appear after an injury or trauma to the vein, such as a broken bone, car accident, sports injury, or surgery. In some cases, spider veins may not appear until years after the wound has fully healed.
Our Patients’ Results
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After *Individual Results May Vary
Spider Veins in Women vs. Men
Many women with spider veins have a family member with the same condition. Genetics play a big role in vein wall and valve characteristics. In pregnancy, hormones (estrogen and progesterone) can cause softening of the vein walls and valves, making women’s veins more susceptible to stretching. The increased blood volume, which is necessary to provide circulation to the baby, can also cause an increase in pressure to the walls of the veins. For some women, spider veins disappear soon after the birth of their child; however, for many women these persist.
Spider veins in men are usually different than those in women. In men, spider veins are often the result of “blow-outs” from varicose veins in close proximity. High pressure from varicose veins causes adjoining superficial veins to stretch and change color. “Ankle flares,” which are spider veins on the outside of the ankle, are associated with CVI (chronic venous insufficiency), a condition where blood is not returned to the heart efficiently.
Facial Spider Veins
Most spider veins are found in the legs; however, there are instances where these veins are on the face. For some patients, prominent facial veins are caused by rosacea. The cause of rosacea is not fully known, but alcohol, spicy food, and stress may aggravate this condition. Sun exposure can also cause spider veins over time. Some people with chronic allergies can have enlargement of veins around the nose and just below the nostrils.
Can Spider Veins Be Prevented?
There are some ways for many individuals to reduce the risk of developing spider veins. For those who spend excessive amounts of time either in a sitting or standing position, it’s important to break up these periods with short walks or some type of activity that varies one’s posture. The use of compression stockings can also help keep pressure more evenly distributed in the legs. Some things to avoid include very hot baths and clothing that is too tight, which can worsen swelling in the veins.
How Can I Get Rid of Spider Veins?
Fortunately, there are numerous treatments that can effectively treat spider veins. The Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center offers many vein treatment options, including:
Vbeam® Laser – This innovative laser therapy utilizes concentrated light energy to destroy spider veins and give the skin a more even tone. The laser is designed to provide focused treatment to the targeted veins without harming the surrounding skin. With this particular laser therapy, red veins typically respond better than blue veins.
Sclerotherapy – One of the most popular treatments for spider veins, sclerotherapy involves the targeted injection of a special solution directly into the veins. The solution is designed to collapse the veins, helping to significantly diminish their appearance.
Duplex-Guided Sclerotherapy – This variation on the standard sclerotherapy treatment may be more ideal for patients who have larger veins, such as reticular and varicose veins.
Outpatient Phlebectomy – A phlebectomy is a surgical procedure that can remove large, superficial veins.
Outpatient Endovenous Ablation – A procedure designed to address larger veins, endovenous ablation utilizes either radiofrequency or laser energy to collapse the wall of the vein and cause it to close.
At the consultation visit, our team will create an individualized vein treatment plan for you. Although more invasive procedures may be necessary to treat larger veins and chronic leg swelling, for smaller veins, sclerotherapy and laser vein therapy are some of the more frequently recommended treatments here at our practice, and often lead to exemplary results.* Please take a look at our before-and-after photo gallery featuring the outcomes experienced by some of our patients who have had treatment for spider veins:
At the Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center, we will thoroughly evaluate your condition and then develop a treatment plan designed especially for your individual needs. Please contact us today.