Approximately half of the women in America struggle with the appearance of spider veins. However, this problem is not experienced by just women; up to 45% of all men develop vein diseases like spider veins or varicose veins.
Spider veins are those localized clusters of purple, red, and blue veins that sit just beneath the skin. Medically known as telangiectasia, is the “branching,” jagged appearance of veins, similar to webbing, hence being called spider veins. Spider veins can be problematic because they often develop in highly visible areas, such as the face or the legs. Additionally, many people notice that they seem to spread exponentially over the years, eventually covering larger areas. This is where we can help! We have been in cosmetic surgery practice for over 18 years and have done several thousands of spider vein treatments.
What Causes Spider Veins?
The reason that spider veins develop is because blood backs up in a localized area. This is why we often see this problem in the lower extremities. Weakness in the vascular valves enables blood to pool in certain vessels. When this accumulation of blood occurs in smaller, superficial veins, we see the discolored webbing of the veins on the surface.
Causes of spider veins include:
·Prolonged sitting or standing on a regular basis, such as for work
Genetic makeup
·Excess weight
·Pregnancy and other conditions that affect hormonal balance
·un exposure
No special diagnostic testing is typically necessary to identify spider veins. A physical examination and observation of the skin usually leads to an accurate diagnosis. However, diagnostic ultrasound may be recommended if a more extensive condition is suspected.
The presence of spider veins can be quite frustrating. Rather than hide your legs or face, we invite you to explore your treatment options.
What Treatment Is Available For Spider Veins?
Vein treatments have progressed with the development of innovative technologies. Still, one of the most popular spider vein treatments is also one of the oldest. Injection eliminates spider veins using sclerotherapy. This approach to unsightly veins causes closure by injecting an FDA-approved sclerosing medication into visible veins. Another modality that quickly and safely removes spider veins is laser vein treatment. This treatment also closes the affected veins, but rather than doing so using a chemical solution, laser vein treatment causes vein closure using heat. There is relatively little downtime after treatment. Patients can resume nearly all levels of activity the day after their appointment. Lasers are recommended for the face and injections are most efficient in the legs.
Regardless of the vein treatment selected, patients are usually advised to wear compression stockings for a day or two after their procedure. The gentle pressure of compression encourages the vein walls to stick, preventing blood from moving through.
Is Spider Vein Treatment Painful?
Spider vein treatment is not intolerable but may be uncomfortable and it varies from patient to patient. There are no nerve endings in the veins. However, the surrounding nerves can pick up mild pain sensations. These may stem from the heat of the laser or the effects of the sclerosing agent. Because sclerotherapy is performed using a tiny needle, the injections themselves are virtually painless. Patients feel the minor pinprick sensation associated with injections but this is only temporary.
Are There Any Risks Or Complications Of Spider Vein Treatment?
There are few risks involved in the vein treatments that are common today. Most procedures are well tolerated and successful in reaching the intended outcome. That said, patients should be aware of risks such as allergic reaction to the sclerosing agent and the spread of the drug to surrounding tissues. The most common side effect associated with sclerotherapy is hyperpigmentation in the skin. This usually resolves over time.
Laser vein treatment should only be performed by a physician or cosmetic surgeon. When conducted by a trained professional, this modality is considered very safe and effective. Risks are low due to the use of low levels of laser energy. Like sclerotherapy, laser vein treatment may result in pigment changes in the skin. These may improve over time.
Sclerotherapy for Spider Veins
The most common procedure used to eliminate spider veins is sclerotherapy. The non-surgical treatment promotes vein closure by introducing a medicated substance into these vessels. Using a tiny needle, we inject the sclerosing agent into superficial vessels in a short office visit. As the substance comes into contact with vessel walls, controlled damage occurs and the vein gradually closes. Over time, these veins become less noticeable until, ultimately, they disappear. Depending on the extent of the problem, multiple sessions may be scheduled. Typically treatments are spaced out 6-8 weeks.
Laser Therapy for Spider Veins
Our patients may elect to have spider veins removed with a combination of sclerotherapy and laser treatment. Our experience with this approach has demonstrated superior aesthetic results in a shorter, more comfortable treatment plan.
Who Typically Gets Spider Veins
Spider veins are not completely understood by the medical community. We cannot predict who will get them and who will not. However, research has shown that the development of these tiny webs of visible veins may be influenced by several factors. These include:
·Age. It is believed that the risk of spider veins may increase with age simply because the valves in our veins age right along with the rest of the body. Weaker veins mean a greater likelihood of developing visible problems.
·Family history. While not fully understood, a family history of vein problems seems to increase a person’s risk of developing spider veins and varicose veins.
- Lifestyle habits. One of the controllable factors related to spider veins is the amount of movement a person performs every day. Those who are more sedentary, who work at a desk and do not balance sitting with standing, stretching, and walking or other forms of exercise, are more likely to experience vein problems.
- Hormones. The female hormone estrogen can cause weakness in the valves of veins, which is one reason women are more likely to experience this condition.
- Obesity. While thinner people may develop spider veins, experts say that we are more likely to see them in people who are heavier than is ideal for their frame. There could be several reasons for this relationship between weight and spider veins. One is that excess weight places more pressure on the lower extremities than is ideal for optimal circulation. Another is that people who are overweight may be more sedentary.
- UV exposure. The ultraviolet light in sunshine and in tanning beds doesn’t just break down healthy collagen but also affects superficial veins. The resulting weakness caused by sun damage can cause spider veins.
Can Spider Veins Cause Leg Swelling or Pain?
In most cases, symptoms related to spider veins revolve around appearance. The discoloration and webbed matrix of superficial veins is usually difficult to disguise. In some cases, patients have reported feeling sensations such as swelling, burning, itching, or aching stemming from spider veins.
Who Is A Candidate To Undergo Treatment?
Most adults are good candidates for the vein treatments. For example, vein treatments are not performed on pregnant women. The reason being that some spider veins and varicose veins may resolve spontaneously within a year of childbirth. Adults with clotting issues or who are taking blood thinners or certain other medications may also not be good candidates for vein treatments. We perform a comprehensive medical history and consultation to ensure patients receive the safest, most effective care.
To be a good candidate for vein treatment, a patient should have realistic expectations of what can be achieved. No vein treatment can completely eliminate every visible vein. While our therapies are very effective, there is also no way to prevent new spider veins from forming in the future. Vein treatments are not necessarily once-and-done. Repeat sessions may be needed from time to time to address new veins that develop.
Can Spider Veins Recur?
Once spider veins have been treated, they are gone forever. However, new clusters of visible veins may appear in other areas. To decrease the risk of recurrence, it is beneficial to implement healthy lifestyle habits such as long-term weight management, sun protection, and frequent movement throughout the day. Laser treatments tend to have higher recurrence rates than injected vessels. Most patient needs 2-3 treatment sessions. A few patients need maintenance treatments every 2-3 years.
Does Insurance Cover Spider Vein Treatments And How Much Does It Cost?
Typically, spider vein treatment is conducted for cosmetic improvement and insurance does not cover its. Our cost starts at $245 per session. Consultation is free.
How Long Does Treatment Take?
The duration of spider vein treatment depends on the extent of the problem to be treated. Patient tolerance for treatment is also taken into consideration. Many of the treatments we perform are concluded within 30 minutes to one hour. During this time, we are mindful of your comfort and do everything we can to make your experience a positive one.
How to prepare for Treatment?
Wear shorts when you come to clinic or bring short and you can change in the clinic. Do not apply any moisturizes, donot tan or use tanning lotion. If area has hair, we recommend that you shave the hair.
Recovery Time After They Are Removed
The two most common modalities for treating spider veins are sclerotherapy and laser vein treatment. Patients are able to resume light activity following spider vein treatment. Walking is even encouraged due to its support of healthy blood flow. If slight discomfort occurs after treatment, compression stockings may be worn to place gentle pressure on the legs as veins gradually collapse and absorb into surrounding tissue. The area will appear red and warm. By the next day, you may notice some scab formation. 3-7 days later, the vessels that were injected will feel hard and sore. This hardness will resolve for 2-4 weeks. Final results can take 4-8 week and that is when you will schedule your next injections.
You can shower the first week but cannot bath or swim for a week after injections.
Can Spider Veins Be Prevented?
Because spider veins may result from a number of factors, there is no guarantee of prevention using diet, exercise, or lifestyle modifications. However, there are steps you can take such as moving frequently, going for walks or becoming more active, wearing comfortable shoes, and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk factors. Individuals who are prone to spider veins may want to consider wearing compression stockings to minimize their risk of new veins.
Are Spider Veins Related To Varicose Veins?
Spider veins and varicose veins do share some of the same risk factors, such as standing or sitting for prolonged periods. However, they differ in how they may be treated and in how they present in the body. Spider veins are more delicate than varicose veins and are less likely to cause physical discomfort. Their appearance, in small clusters, is quite different than the average varicose vein, which bulges against the skin.
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