Spider Vein Removal

What are spider veins?

Spider veins are tiny blood vessels that look like strands of a spider web below the surface of your skin. Affecting nearly half of all adults, spider veins are mostly found in the face and legs, and although they are primarily unwanted because of their unsightly appearance, they can also be uncomfortable and cause aching, burning, and swelling sensations.

What causes spider veins?

Venous reflux is a condition in which damaged valves in the veins cause a back-flow of blood. When the blood collects in the most superficial veins, they become visible through your skin, producing what we call spider veins.

What are the risk factors for developing spider veins?

In addition to women being more susceptible than men, patients with the following characteristics have an increased chance of developing spider veins.

• Over 50
• Family predisposition
• Smoking
• Sitting or standing for a prolonged time
• A change in hormonal activity
• Pregnancy
• Obesity
• Absence of physical activity
• Extended sun exposure

How can I prevent spider veins?

If you know you have a family history of spider veins and the propensity to develop them, take care to watch your weight, exercise regularly, move your legs frequently rather than standing in place for long periods of time, invest in support stockings, and wear comfortable, flat shoes. Taking these precautions doesn’t guarantee the prevention of spider veins, but it may reduce the risk of developing them.

How are spider veins diagnosed?

If you’ve got spider veins and have questions about treatment, schedule a consultation with us. Dr. Pullar will thoroughly examine the area in question, analyze your symptoms, and perform a diagnostic ultrasound to confirm the web of veins that you’ve found on the surface of your skin is in fact spider veins.

How are spider veins treated?

We use IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) to reduce the appearance of your spider veins by applying heat which damages the walls of the blood vessel, causing them to disappear. Laser vein treatment offers fewer side effects, less trauma, and shorter treatment and recovery time than more invasive traditional approaches. Prior to spider vein reduction, it is important to avoid extreme sun exposure and tanning beds as the laser is attracted to pigment. The treatment time, downtime, and overall discomfort is minimal.

What happens if I leave my spider veins untreated?

Untreated spider veins can develop into varicose veins which can lead to increased pain, fatigue, and inflammation of the skin. Varicose veins are a more serious version of spider veins in which the walls have thinned so much that blood pools, causing the veins to appear as pronounced, dark cords on the surface of the skin.