Spider veins can ruin anything from a day at the beach to a wedding for the people who are stuck with them. If you’re tired of staring at your spider veins and hiding them, there’s great news: there are safe, effective, and nearly pain-free spider vein treatments out there today. The most frequently used spider vein treatments are sclerotherapy and Nd:Yag laser treatment. Each method involves the reduction, fading, or even removal of your spider veins.
What Are Spider Veins?
Spider veins are clusters of tiny blood vessels that look like veins grouped like spider webs. They develop near the skin’s surface, and they are typically blue, purple, or red. Spider veins are often found on the ankles, calves, face, and thighs. For many, they become noticeable early on, although for others, spider veins may not be noticeable until later in life.
Spider Vein Causes
A variety of factors are spider vein causes or can contribute to the development of spider veins. Heredity is one of them; some people have the tendency to develop visible spider veins early in life in their genes. Hormonal changes is another factor that can cause these veins to make an appearance. Jobs or other activities that cause extended sitting and standing are another cause of spider veins. Pregnancy can also trigger a bloom of spider veins. Finally, fluctuations in weight can make spider veins appear, especially in the legs.
Spider Vein Treatments
Several spider vein removal options exist. Even though spider veins are almost always harmless from a physical, medical standpoint, they can cause patients a great deal of emotional stress. Furthermore, for patients whose work demands that they stand for long stretches of time, spider veins can throb, burn, ache, and otherwise cause pain that needs treatment.
If you dislike the appearance of your spider veins, or have symptoms that cause you pain or other discomfort, you have options when it comes to spider vein removal. The two most common—and most effective—are sclerotherapy and Nd:Yag laser treatments.
Sclerotherapy spider vein removal. In this in-office procedure which doesn’t require anesthesia, your cosmetic surgeon injects your spider veins with a saline solution. This solution irritates the veins, causing the blood vessels to collapse and stick together. This closes those veins, causing the blood to clot and reroute through healthier veins. Over the course of several weeks, the treated spider veins collapse into the body and are absorbed, allowing them to fade. The same veins might need to be injected more than once, but sclerotherapy is typically effective if it is performed properly. Side effects include itching, swelling, and changes in skin color in the treated region.
Yag laser treatments. The Nd:Yag laser is the most effective treatment for small spider or varicose veins. A topical anesthesia cream will be applicated to the area before the treatment along with epidermal cooling to minimize discomfort. The laser will then penetrate the blood vessel, where it will collapse and seal. In a matter of weeks, patients will notice the vein disappearing. As with nearly all laser treatments, patients may experience a tingling sensation during the procedure. After the procedure, the patient may also see a reddish appearance on the skin above the treated vein. Not to worry, this will fade in a couple of days. Depending on the size of the veins being treated, patients may need two to six treatments to eliminate the veins completely.
Spider Vein Removal in Sacramento
If you’re ready to be rid of those spider veins, you’re probably a great candidate for Nd: Yag laser treatments. Contact Precision MD today for your free consultation and find out more about the process.
