Spider veins are small red to purple twisted veins that are easily visible through the skin. Although they do not result in any known health conditions, they can be very cosmetically displeasing. They are most commonly seen in the legs, but they can occur anywhere on the body, including the face. At About Face Anti-Aging Institute we offer lasers for spider vein treatment.
What causes spider veins?
Many cases of spider veins appear to be inherited; if your mother or aunts have spider veins, most likely you will develop them as well. Hormones also seem to be involved, since spider veins are more common in women than in men. Trauma, excessive exposure to sunlight, and older age are also risk factors for spider veins. Spider veins and varicose veins are caused by the same risk factors, and individuals with spider veins are very likely to also develop varicose veins. The primary difference between the two conditions is the size of the enlarged, swollen, malfunctioning veins. Thankfully, spider vein treatment is fairly straightforward and simple.
How can they be treated?
There are several different methods of spider vein treatment. One method called sclerotherapy involves injecting a chemical into the vein that causes the vein to collapse and slowly be absorbed by the body. An alternative treatment is laser therapy. A laser is used to non-invasively apply energy to the veins. The light from the laser is tailored to be absorbed by only the red/purple pigments of the veins so it does not affect the surrounding tissues. Once the veins absorb the energy from the laser, they collapse and are slowly absorbed and removed by the body. Laser treatment works quite well for small spider veins; sclerotherapy is usually needed for larger veins. Both treatments only take a few minutes to apply and generally involve only minor discomfort or none at all.
What are the side effects?
Both types of treatment are not immediately effective and require several weeks before the veins vanish. Laser spider vein treatment may require several treatments in order to completely eliminate the spider veins. The side effects of both include temporary swelling, redness, itching, bruising, and skin color changes in the treated area. Sclerotherapy treatment has a low risk of infections at the sites of injection; this is not a concern for laser treatment. Depending on the area being treated, compression stockings or bandages may be suggested to be worn for a few weeks while the spider veins clear up.
Is the treatment permanent?
Once the spider veins have collapsed, they will not return. However, due to genetics and lifestyle factors, individuals prone to spider veins may develop new spider veins near the site of treatment or in other locations throughout the body.
Contact our office today to schedule your consultation and learn more about spider vein treatment! We are conveniently located in Harker Heights, TX.