What are Spider Veins and How are They Treated?

Last updated 1 year ago

Appearing as twisting and purplish lines just below the skin's surface, spider veins can cause physical discomfort in addition to blemishing the appearance of smooth skin. While genetics, weight, and hormones can all contribute to the development of spider veins, a variety of treatment options do exist to treat them. Talk to you dermatologist about spider vein treatments and which might be the best for you.

How do Spider Veins Develop?

Found most often on the legs and face, spider veins develop when blood vessels become blocked. This blockage, in turn, causes blood to collect and pressure to build within the vein. Although different patients will develop spider veins for different reasons, factors that could increase your risk include standing for long periods of time, obesity, and pregnancy.

Spider Vein Treatment

While surgery may be required to treat severe varicose veins, many patients find less invasive procedures to be effective at treating and eliminating spider veins. Some common spider vein treatments include:

Sclerotherapy: A popular treatment for spider vein patients, sclerotherapy is a quick and relatively painless procedure. The affected vein is injected with a saline solution that causes the vein to slowly disappear over several weeks. Depending on the severity of the patient’s condition, one or several treatments may be necessary for full results. Results are usually noticeable 4-6 weeks following the injections.
Laser Therapy: Your dermatologist may use laser treatment to target the affected vein. The laser will deliver a pulse of concentrated heat to the vein, destroying it and causing it to fade from view. While laser therapy is non-invasive, patients may still experience some discomfort and notice signs of discoloration or blistering following the procedure.
Endovenous Laser Therapy: Also utilizing laser technology, endovenous laser treatment delivers pulses of light in the vein itself, causing it to collapse. Like sclerotherapy, endovenous laser therapy is minimally-invasive and is usually performed as an outpatient procedure.

For more information about spider vein treatments, please contact the dermatologists at Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery. As part of the largest dermatology practice in America, our doctors can assist you with all of your cosmetic or clinical skincare needs. Immediate appointments are available at one of our Tampa offices. To locate an office or doctor near you, please visit Advanced Dermatology online or call us today at (866) 400-3376.