Spider Veins

Spider veins, also known as “telangiectasias” or “sunburst varicosities,” are those small, bothersome veins that appear almost out of nowhere and can be difficult to get rid of. Spider Veins are thin, threadlike veins, often red or blue in color and shaped like a spider’s web. Like the pest it is named after, spider veins can become a real annoyance if left unchecked. Spider veins are similar to varicose veins, but much smaller and closer to your skin’s surface. Also like varicose veins, spider veins are connected to a larger venous system; however, they serve no essential part of it. Spider veins are simply broken capillaries or burst blood vessels with no biological purpose. This means spider veins can be removed with no harm to you.

Spider veins can appear virtually anywhere on the body. Similar to varicose veins, spider veins form on the legs, most notable on the upper thigh, around the ankle, and the knee joint. However, these spider veins are most famous for developing on the face, around the nose, cheeks, and chin. Facial spider veins can be tricky to remove because facial vein treatments are often limited to Laser Vein Removal, since Sclerotherapy and vein removal surgery can leave permanent scarring.

Cause of Spider Veins

Spider veins are caused by poor blood circulation. Instead of flowing regularly, a weakened vessel causes the blood to leak back into the vein, where it pools, creating the spider vein. Spider veins branch off from a reticular vein or “feeder vein.” The feeder vein literally feeds blood to the spider veins. Feeder veins are often deep below the surface and difficult to see. This is what makes spider veins so problematic. If the reticular vein remains untreated, the spider veins will continue to return. The exact cause of spider veins can be hard to pinpoint, however, spider veins can be triggered by sun damage, hormone changes, pregnancy, hereditary, and rosacea. Spider veins are also connected to port wine stains, a flat vascular birthmark on the head or neck.

Spider Vein Removal

Spider veins are far from life threatening, but can be unsightly and embarrassing. Spider vein removal is mostly performed for cosmetic reasons. So, whether you want to clear up your face or get your legs ready for swimsuit season, there are viable spider vein treatments available. Since, spider veins are so small, spider vein surgery is seldom an option. Luckily there are non-surgical options with proven results.

Laser Vein Removal—Laser Vein Removal has become the preferred method of getting rid of spider veins. Facial spider veins in particular were once difficult to treat, but lasers and IPL have made it effortless. Lasers work by targeting the blood in your spider veins. As the veins heat, they break apart and are harmlessly reabsorbed into your body. Laser spider vein removal has become the leading treatment for spider veins because of its versatility and ease with eliminating smaller and medium sized spider veins.

Sclerotherapy—Spider veins that are too large for Laser Vein Removal are still best treated with Sclerotherapy. A Sclerotherapy injection works by hardening and breaking apart your unwanted spider vein. An Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy treatment on the feeder vein can wipe out the entire network of spider veins with a few simple shots, greatly reducing the chance of the spider vein’s return.