What are Spider Veins?
Spider veins form when blood pools in small veins near the skin’s surface due to damaged or weakened valves. These valves are responsible for ensuring blood flows in the correct direction, but when they fail, the veins dilate and become visible, creating visible veins. Commonly found on the legs, visible veins can affect both men and women, though they are more frequent in women. In addition to the legs, visible veins may also appear on the cheeks and nose, often due to aging or sun exposure.
Evaluation of Spider Veins
To the untrained eye, these tiny surface veins may all appear similar. For most patients, visible veins are a cosmetic concern. However, in some cases, they serve as an early indicator of an underlying circulation issue known as Venous Insufficiency. In these instances, the visible are only a surface-level symptom of a more complex problem. Venous insufficiency can lead to leg pain, swelling, fatigue, itchy skin, bulging varicose veins, and persistent visible veins. If veins linked to venous insufficiency are not properly diagnosed and treated, the cosmetic veins may reappear, often accompanied by complications.
Accurate diagnosis of spider veins is a critical and often challenging task, even for medical professionals. With over 45 years of combined experience, the team at Siragusa Vein and Laser has perfected the process of identifying and treating different types of visible vein. In some cases, spider veins are caused by an underlying “feeder vein” that is not functioning properly. These feeder veins lie beneath the skin and cannot be seen with the naked eye. If they are not treated, the visible veins are likely to reappear.
To address this, we use advanced technology such as the VeinViewer™, which allows us to precisely identify feeder veins linked to the spider veins being treated. This cutting-edge approach, combined with our extensive experience and industry-leading practices, ensures patients receive the most effective treatment in a comfortable and professional setting. With Siragusa Vein and Laser, you can trust that your legs are in expert hands.
Spider Veins Treatment And What To Expect
Once a patient has been determined to be a good candidate for treatment, spider vein are treated with a quick and painless procedure known as sclerotherapy. This is a fifteen-minute procedure, which is performed by injecting a small amount of medication into the spider vein, causing it to shrink and collapse. As the vein shrinks, the blood that has been pooling is redirected into healthy veins. The treated vein will then begin to heal and then naturally turn into collagen that is absorbed into the body. Patients generally require two of these sclerotherapy treatments to completely clear affected areas and can return to work or daily activity immediately following treatment.
Sclerotherapy is a well-established and highly effective procedure with minimal downtime and few side effects. Most patients describe the sensation as a mild pinch or slight burning that quickly subsides. After the treatment, patients may be advised to wear compression stockings for a few days to support optimal healing and circulation. Mild bruising or discoloration at the injection site is common but typically resolves within a couple of weeks. It's important to follow post-treatment instructions carefully to achieve the best results. Over time, treated veins fade, and patients often notice a significant improvement in the appearance and comfort of their legs.
Sclerotherapy for Spider Veins
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If you are ready to stop hiding your legs and dealing with the embarrassment of visible veins, let Dr. Siragusa and his team get you back to loving your legs and living your life.