How to Get the Best Results When Treating Spider Veins

We all work hard to have smooth and beautiful legs and having spider veins most certainly does not add to the appeal. Not to worry, however, as we have ranked for you the top ways to treat spider veins. You’ll be back to showing off your lovely legs in no time!

What Are Spider Veins?

Spider veins are the appearance of small blood vessels that usually show on the back of the legs or, on rare occasions, the face. Spider veins are caused by poor circulation of blood flow inside of the veins, in which blood is pooled or collected within the vessel, causing them to expand and protrude outward. This action may be the result of several different factors including genetics, pregnancy, standing or sitting for long periods of time, and even sun damage.

Symptoms of Spider Veins

The symptoms of spider veins are quite limited and typically only include the appearance of tiny blood vessels that spread out across the skin creating a branch-like or webbed pattern and mild swelling. While on rare occasions, individuals may experience discomfort, spider veins are typically painless.

How to Treat Spider Veins

There are various ways to treat spider veins to both reduce their appearance and even correct the blood flow so it no longer negatively affects the vessels. We’ve ranked them in order from most effective to least.

1) Laser Therapy

A more modern treatment option, laser therapy is a non-invasive procedure that uses a laser beam to destroy the vein without causing harm to your skin. The vein reacts to the direct laser beam and clots, preventing further blood flow.

Thanks to the direct focused treatment, spider veins usually disappear immediately with zero downtime for recovery. You will, however, need to protect the treated area from direct sunlight for up to a month and wear compression socks.

2) Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is considered to be the most common treatment option for spider veins. This procedure requires a dermatologist to inject a chemical into the vein, causing the wall of the vessel to become irritated. This irritation causes the walls to close and stick together, preventing blood from flowing through it. Blood circulation will improve and in 3 to 6 weeks swelling will reduce, as will the appearance of the veins.

To get the best results, you may need to receive two or three treatments. Luckily, they can be performed during office visits without anesthesia.

3) Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT)

EVLT is a newer treatment option in which a laser fiber is inserted into the vein via a small incision. When activated, the laser heats the vein until it collapses and closes permanently. It may sound painful, but the procedure is relatively harmless. The only downside is that it could take up to one year for the spider veins to fully disappear and may require multiple treatments.

4) Compression Socks

One of the least effective options is to wear compression socks. These special stockings help to provide constant pressure to your legs to help improve circulation. They also help to reduce swelling and any discomfort you may have. Unfortunately, compression socks will not make spider veins disappear and should be used in combination with any of the above procedures.

If you are suffering from spider veins and are in Cincinnati, Ohio or a surrounding city, our experts at The Dermatology Group can provide advice, resources and treatment options to help get rid of those annoying veins. Give us a call today and book your consultation!