Spider veins are unsightly red, blue or purple veins that get their name from their cluster appearance on the face and the lower extremities. Heredity, pregnancy, hormonal changes and weight gain are major factors in the cause and severity of spider veins. If you are wanting to reduce the appearance of or get rid of spider veins entirely, here are the two minimally invasive ways we treat them in our office.
Sclerotherapy injection
Both treatments for spider veins are quite painless and easy, done in the office, requiring no anesthesia.
As the most common treatment for spider veins, sclerotherapy consists of injecting a solution into the diseased vein, which irritates the wall of the vein. This causes the vein to collapse and the blood to reroute through healthier veins. You may wear compression stockings on your legs immediately and for a few weeks after treatment to apply steady pressure that helps move the blood back to your heart. You should be able to return to work and light activity the next day.
Spider veins usually disappear in 3-6 weeks after treatment. For the best results, you may need two treatments.
Laser light therapy
If Dr. Myers determines laser light therapy is the best treatment for you, he will administer a large dosage of light energy to the veins to clot the blood. When the blood coagulates, it will constrict and shut down the diseased veins. Small spider veins should disappear immediately after treatment, whereas larger spider veins may take a couple of months before they disappear. You may need two treatments to complete clearing.
As with sclerotherapy, you will wear a compression stocking on each leg and wear them as directed for the next couple of weeks. You can return to work and other activities the next day.
Spider veins should disappear 1-3 months after treatment. You may need three or more treatments to get rid of them completely.
While you can’t necessarily avoid spider veins, you can improve overall vein health by exercising to keep your blood flowing, watching your weight, eating a low-salt diet, avoiding smoking and stretching regularly when you sit or stand too long. These tips can help prevent new spider veins but will not get rid of existing ones.
To learn more about treatment for spider veins, call Utah Valley Dermatology at (801) 768-8800 today and schedule an appointment with Dr. Myers.
