Before and After

Varicose veins are dark purple or blue veins found near the surface of the skin that are twisted in appearance. They are most commonly located on the legs, specifically the calves and inside of the legs. Varicose veins share similarities with spider veins, except that they are larger, more unsightly, and harder to remove. 

Telangiectasias, better known as spider veins, are tiny blood vessels near the skin’s surface that are usually only a few millimeters long. Spider veins are much like varicose veins, except that they are smaller and closer to your top layer of skin. They tend to be red or blue in color and are often shaped like a spider’s web, hence the name. Just like varicose veins, spider veins serve no function, making it harmless to remove them. 

Varicose veins develop in the legs due to gravity forcing a lot of pressure on the lower part of the body when we are standing. This means that the veins there have to work harder to send blood back up to the heart, so it is possible for the valves to break and for blood to pool. The unpleasant appearance of varicose veins is caused by that pooling of blood. Over time, varicose veins can become enlarged and quite painful, even causing swelling in the feet and legs. 

There is an increased risk of developing varicose veins for those who are pregnant, obese, or on their feet for extended periods of time. That being said, the cause of varicose veins in most people is hereditary, with women being more likely to experience this condition than men. These veins can also be connected to more serious blood-clotting issues such as deep-vein thrombosis. 

Steps can be taken to minimize any discomfort you feel while also preventing varicose veins from developing further. Putting into practice different forms of self-care such as exercising, elevating your legs, and wearing comfortable clothing and shoes can make a world of difference in protecting your veins.

Some choose to have varicose veins removed solely for cosmetic reasons, while others seek relief of symptoms. Since varicose veins are no longer functional, getting rid of them does not cause any damage to the circulatory system. Whatever your reasoning may be, there are several options for removing varicose veins. 

• Sclerotherapy — Sclerotherapy injections are typically able to effectively treat smaller veins. It involves inserting a tiny needle directly into the vein with a solution that will dissolve and collapse the vein.
• Laser vein treatment — Laser vein treatment or even surgical methods are more commonly used for more severe or developed veins. The most advanced and effective form of laser vein removal for varicose leg veins is currently Endovenous Laser Treatment (ELT). 
• Surgical ligation and stripping — This is when the varicose vein is capped off and removed from the leg completely. The removal of these veins will not affect blood flow throughout the body since these veins are superficial and nonfunctional. Local or general anesthetic would be used for this surgery.
• Ambulatory Phlebectomy — Ambulatory Phlebectomy is another surgical option that involves the use of a special light source to find the vein and make small incisions to surgically remove it from the leg. Some physicians feel this method is best when attempting to remove the largest varicose veins, as it leaves only small scarring. This surgery is performed under local or general anesthetic.

Spider veins are a result of poor circulation, meaning that blood leaks back into the veins and pools there. Other causes of spider veins include hormone changes, genetics, sun damage, and rosacea. No matter what the cause is, however, there are several spider vein treatments to choose from.

Spider veins are most commonly found on the nose, cheeks, and chin. They can also form on the legs, mostly around the upper thigh, knee, and ankle. 

Changing your lifestyle and practicing self-care can help with the prevention of spider veins and stop existing ones from worsening. Implementing tips like wearing sunscreen, staying active, and avoiding tight clothing can make a difference in preventing spider veins from spreading further.

During an initial consultation, you physician or nurse will determine which treatment is appropriate for your situation. Each method will begin to show results in 2-8 weeks, and multiple sessions are usually necessary.

• Laser treatment — Laser technology has become the most popular treatment to get rid of spider veins. These lasers work best on small to medium sized veins, targeting the blood vessels in spider veins with a light beam. This closes the vessels, causing them to dissolve. Popular treatments for spider vein removal are IPL Photofacial and Laser Skin Rejuvenation since they are safe, effective, and involve little downtime. Fraxel® lasers and Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing are other laser vein options.

• Sclerotherapy — Sclerotherapy continues to be the most common treatment for spider vein removal, and it is best for larger veins that lasers might not be able to treat. It involves a fine needle that injects a hardening solution directly into the spider vein. The spider veins harden and collapse back into the body.

Facial veins can form as a result of numerous reasons, ranging from genetics, sun exposure, rosacea, or hormonal changes such as those during pregnancy. They can also be caused by changes in weather or pressure, environmental irritants, and excessive alcohol consumption.

Spider veins are smaller and usually found on the nose, chin, and cheeks. Meanwhile, the larger reticular veins (roughly 2-3 mm) are normally found by the temple and at the edge of the jaw. 

Despite facial veins carrying blood, they are not a part of your venous valve system. This means facial veins serve no function and are harmless to remove. Since even large facial veins are relatively small and your face is a delicate area, vein removal surgery is normally not an option. The ideal treatment options for facial veins are laser vein removal and sclerotherapy.

• Laser Vein Removal — The facial vein treatment most recommended by vein clinics for facial spider veins is laser vein removal because it offers a low risk, effective solution. While other more invasive treatments can cause scarring, laser or intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments destroy the blood vessel and leave the surrounding tissue untouched.

• Sclerotherapy — Sclerotherapy for facial vein removal is for larger reticular veins that may be unaffected by laser vein removal. This minimally invasive procedure involves an injectable solution, making it best-suited for medium-sized veins. The smallest facial veins are simply too small for the needle, so sclerotherapy forces the blood to coagulate in the facial vein and breaks it down over time. 

Spider nose veins are often caused by conditions like rosacea or rhinophyma. Rosacea is a chronic, acne-like condition that causes redness, bumps, and spider veins. It begins with a subtle flushing of the nose, cheeks, chin, or forehead, but can worsen over time if left untreated. Untreated rosacea can cause rhinophyma, an enlargement of tissue. This creates a bulbous, ruddy appearance, particularly in the nose.

Regardless of your specific cause, it’s best to look into treatments such as sclerotherapy or laser vein removal. If broken capillaries are a persistent nuisance, consult with a specialist so you can correctly identify the problem before it gets more difficult to treat. 

Burst blood vessels can be caused by sun exposure, food allergies, high blood pressure, abrasive face cleansers, temperature changes, alcohol, spicy foods, and even frequent nose blowing. Also, fair-skinned people are generally more susceptible to broken blood vessels, and they have a stronger effect on older patients. 

While broken nasal blood vessels can be treated with lasers, they will typically fade away on their own. This is good news as it means you don’t always need to invest time and money into a nose vein treatment. By implementing a daily skin care regime with a topical antioxidant and sunscreen, you should have a much easier time preventing broken capillaries. 

There may be various reasons behind your development of hand veins, including age, genetics, hot weather, low body fat, exercise, and more. 

• The more you age, the thinner and less elastic your skin becomes, making your veins more noticeable. The valves in your veins get weaker as you get older, so blood pools in the veins for a longer duration of time. This blood pooling is what causes the enlargement of your veins. 
• Those with low body fat tend to have visible veins because they lack fat on their hands.
• Living somewhere with hot weather is another culprit for hand veins since the high temperatures make it harder for your veins to function properly, making them enlarged.

Depending on the cause, there are several treatment options to choose from, many being similar to those for varicose veins. 

• Endovenous Laser Treatment — Endovenous Laser Treatment, or ELT, is ideal for treating smaller veins. It uses amplified light or radio waves in order to prompt the collapse of the walls so that the veins can close. 
• Sclerotherapy — Sclerotherapy is a more traditional option, where targeted veins are injected with a chemical solution to bring about the collapsing and closing of veins.