When spider veins show up on your legs, your first instinct may be to continually find creative ways to hide your lower half, but did you know that you can actually treat spider veins? For those who are distressed by the appearance of spider veins on their legs, the team at North Texas Fibroids in Dallas, TX is dedicated to providing you with the best quality spider vein treatments. Read on to find out more about our treatment options
How Can You Treat Spider Veins on Your Legs?
Spider Vein Treatment Options
Spider veins are small, damaged veins that appear near the surface of the skin. They are often blue, purple, or red, and, although spider veins rarely cause symptoms, they may be considered a cosmetic problem. The appearance of spider veins on the legs can negatively impact someone’s confidence and self esteem. If this is the case for you, then you may want to consider undergoing a spider vein removal treatment. Vein-free legs are not only possible, they are absolutely within reach with our safe and effective spider vein treatment options.
Option #1: Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is the most popular and common treatment method for removing spider veins. Whether on the legs, face, or body, this treatment is safe and effective and has been clinically shown to improve the appearance of spider veins in both men and women. This treatment option uses a sclerosing agent to achieve sclerosis in the targeted veins. Sclerosis is a process by which irreversible injury is inflicted to the cells lining damaged veins. The injury leads to the collapse of the spider vein, which seals it shut and allows it to eventually be reabsorbed by the body.
How It Works
During a sclerotherapy treatment, a sclerosing agent, such as Asclera® or hypertonic saline, is administered to the targeted treatment area(s). Our highly trained technicians will use a fine needle to maximize precision during the injection process and to minimize any discomfort. The sclerosing agent, once successfully injected into the veins, will work to disrupt and injure the vein linings.
This injury will cause the targeted veins to become inflamed. The veins will then form fibrous tissues in response to the inflammation, which, in turn, will cause the veins to collapse in on themselves and seal shut. Once the targeted veins have sealed, the body’s natural healing and detoxifying processes will step in to dispose of the collapsed veins.
When Will I See Results?
Because the body’s natural processes require time to work, the results of this treatment will appear gradually. In the following three weeks after treatment, the body will process and absorb the collapsed veins. After they have been reabsorbed by the body, the spider veins will no longer be visible. The efficacy of your results will depend on the extent and location of your spider veins. In order to achieve your aesthetic goals, you may need to schedule several sclerotherapy sessions.
Option #2: Laser Vein Removal
Laser vein removal is a treatment using laser light to heat the targeted veins to the point of collapse. As laser light passes through the skin’s surface, its heat is absorbed by the vein. This causes the vein to collapse in on itself; it can then be reabsorbed into the body. When treating spider veins on the legs, it is unusual to use laser vein treatments. However, if you have spider veins on your face, we would recommend using laser vein removal treatments, as this is the safest way to improve the appearance of facial spider veins.
What Else Can Laser Treat?
While laser treatments are perfect for eliminating spider veins from the face, they can also dramatically improve the appearance of:
- Broken capillaries
- Cherry angiomas
- Dermatosis papulosa nigricans
- Hyperpigmentation
- Hypopigmentation
- Rosacea
Option #3: Compression Socks
In addition to the above treatments, you may also wish to consider wearing compression stockings, socks, or pantyhose to alleviate the discomfort caused by spider veins. This option will not remove your spider veins, but can improve circulation, relieve leg swelling, and prevent the development of further spider or varicose veins by placing pressure on the veins. Compression stockings may also lower the risk of blood clots in the legs.
Who Should Consider Spider Vein Treatment?
If the appearance of spider veins on your legs, face, or body is impacting your confidence, you may benefit from sclerotherapy or other spider vein treatments. A good candidate should be in good overall health and have realistic expectations about the treatment process and results. If you’re not sure if you’re a good candidate for sclerotherapy or another vein treatment option, we would be happy to help. When you book an initial consultation with us, we can assess your damaged veins and help determine which treatment option is right for you.
Who Is Ineligible?
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding you will not be eligible to receive treatment for spider veins. If you developed spider veins during your pregnancy, you will need to wait three months after delivery before you will be eligible to receive this treatment. Additionally, if you are bedridden, we cannot perform spider vein treatment on you.
You may not be eligible to have your spider veins removed if you have had a blood clot in the past (depending on the cause and severity of the clot). Veins that may be used for surgical bypass procedures in the future are ineligible for sclerotherapy, unless deemed unusable by a medical professional.
What Are Spider Veins?
Spider veins are a form of venous insufficiency. They are red, blue, or purple visible veins that appear as “webs” of thin lines or branches – thus the name “spider veins”. In the legs and body, spider veins develop when the one-way valves in your veins become weak or damaged. Veins are meant to carry blood to the heart while preventing blood from flowing backward; one-way valves in the veins close once blood passes through them when they are working properly. However, when they weaken or become damaged, the blood may not be able to flow in the correct direction. This can cause blood to pool in the veins.
Over time, blood pooling in the veins can lead to increased venous blood pressure, which causes bulging in the branching veins. This bulging is what gives spider veins and varicose veins their appearance. On the face, spider veins are generally the result of broken blood vessels caused by sun damage, excessive heat or increased pressure (from forceful crying, coughing, sneezing, or vomiting, or pushing during childbirth).
What’s the Difference Between Spider Veins and Varicose Veins?
Spider veins and varicose veins, while sometimes used interchangeably, are actually two different forms of venous insufficiency. While both conditions result from weakened or damaged valves in the veins, they have different symptoms. Spider veins, for example, are usually small, thin lines. They are typically flat or, if they are raised, it is only slightly. Varicose veins, on the other hand, are large and may appear lumpy or twisted.
While spider veins are usually blue, red, or purple, varicose veins are typically red or flesh-colored. Spider veins are generally painless and more of a cosmetic issue (although they can sometimes cause discomfort), varicose veins can cause a variety of symptoms and complications. Depending on their severity, varicose veins may cause pain, itching, bleeding, ankle swelling, leg swelling, achiness in the legs, heaviness in the legs, an increased risk of circulation issues and an increased risk of blood clots.
What Causes Spider Veins?
There are a variety of factors that may cause spider veins to form. While genetics is the biggest factor in developing spider veins, there are many other reasons why you may develop spider veins. Some of the most common causes of spider veins are:
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Aging
- Previous blood clots or vein damage
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Excessive nicotine consumption
- Inactivity/ a sedentary lifestyle
- Standing for extended periods
- Sun damage
- Excess pressure (in the face)
- Hormonal changes
- Heredity/genetics
Book Your Consultation For Vein-Free Legs Today
Developing spider veins on your legs, face, or body can be upsetting and negatively impact your self image. If you are distressed by the appearance of the veins on your legs and are interested in a spider vein removal treatment, we can help. At North Texas Fibroids, our expert medical staff members are able to remove your spider veins safely and effectively. To learn more about our vein removal options or to book a consultation, contact North Texas Fibroids in Dallas, TX today.
