Spider Vein Treatment
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No one wants to see tiny, ugly-looking veins on the surface of their skin. If you see these every time you look in the mirror you’re probably feeling self-conscious about your appearance, thinking that others may be starting at you because of your noticeable veins. If this sounds like you, you may have spider veins.
With the aid of the warm, professional VIVAA team, you can say goodbye to self-consciousness and say yes to freedom from unwanted skin troubles.
Spider Vein Treatment Overview
Defining Spider Veins
Small blood vessels that become dilated and appear just under the surface of the skin are spider veins. You may think these are varicose veins, but they are not. Spider veins are different because they appear in other parts of your body, not only the legs, which is the case with varicose veins. Generally, spider veins appear in areas of the body that get a lot of sun exposure, particularly the face, hands and arms, although the can also appear on the legs.
The name says it all. Spider veins are so named because of their appearance, which resembles a web. They can appear just about anywhere. They may cause a disfiguring and unappealing appearance, but are not normally life-threatening. If you have spider veins and find that they get in the way of your daily confidence, we’re here to help.
What causes spider veins?
Although a malfunction in vein valves is also involved in spider veins, an increase in pressure is the primary cause. Anyone who stands for a long time, such as schoolteachers and salespeople are more likely to develop them due to the added pressure over long periods of time on the tissue. Age and genetics are other factors that can contribute to development.
Risk factors
Factors that can increase your risk of developing spider veins include:
- Genetics
- Pregnancy
- Age
- Being overweight
- Hormones
- Sitting or standing for extended periods
- A previous blood clot or vein damage
- Excess pressure in the face, such as forceful coughing, sneezing or vomiting
- Sun damage
Are there any risk factors of leaving spider veins untreated?
In general, spider veins are harmless. However, it’s good to have them checked to ensure that they’re not a symptom of any underlying or developing health issues that may be more burdensome.
When ignored, however, spider veins can lead to other, more serious complications such as chronic venous insufficiency. This condition happens when veins stop working properly and can’t deliver blood from the heart to the legs. It can also lead to a condition called stasis, where blood pools in the legs and sometimes in the arms. Swelling, changes in skin color and leg ulcers are symptoms of stasis.
Treatment for Spider Veins at VIVAA
We have several options for spider vein treatment at our Issaquah Office, and our new Bellevue Office, such as sclerotherapy, ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy or laser treatment. If you’re nervous about treatment, cost or the anxiety of a doctor’s visit, our team has options to help. We offer minimally invasive procedures to effectively treat and eventually remove spider veins. VIVAA specialists are here to help you determine the most appropriate treatments and recommend additional measures you can take to avoid spider veins.
Laser Treatment
Lasers send targeted light beams into veins that make slowly fade and disappear without using needles or incisions. Following this procedure, blood vessels fade over several months, although they may not completely disappear. You may experience conditions such as itching, swelling, redness, bruising or permanent changes in skin tone.
Sclerotherapy
This procedure treats blood vessels by injecting veins with a solution that scars them and makes them shrink, ultimately causing them to close. Blood is forced to return to the heart through healthier veins, which in turn causes the diseased veins to fade and be absorbed by the body. Affected veins sometimes need more than one treatment. this procedure does not require anesthesia and can be done on your lunch hour. Few side effects, with the exception of itching, skin color changes and minor swelling, occur with sclerotherapy and you can usually do daily activities right after your treatment.
Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy
This procedure is useful for preventing future spider veins from appearing. Ultrasound allows our doctors to accurate locate problem veins, and accurately place the optimal number of injections that is best for your condition.
Preventing Spider Veins
To prevent the appearance of spider veins in the future, you can take simple steps to reduce your chances of having them appear:
- Compression Socks: Lightweight compression socks often found at pharmacies and medical supply stores can help prevent and manage spider veins
- Lifestyle: Maintain an appropriate weight to help reduce the stress put on your legs, a main determinant of spider veins. Exercise several times per week and include activities like running or walking, that will get blood flowing and increase muscle strength
- Relieve Pressure: Don’t sit or stand for long periods of time and try to elevate legs higher than your head
- Sunscreen: People with light, sensitive skin should apply sunscreen regularly as prolonged sun exposure is a factor in creating spider veins. This is especially true for those who develop spider veins in their face and nose
Get in touch with Vein, Vascular & Aesthetic Associates. We serve the communities of Everett, Issaquah, Kirkland, Newcastle, Seattle and Sammamish.
SCLEROTHERAPY FOR FACIAL VEINS AT VIVAA
*Video courtesy of Dr. Sidhu
*Photo courtesy of Dr. Sidhu
Don’t allow spider or varicose veins to get in the way of your daily life. Treatment for these conditions is strongly recommended for medical and cosmetic reasons. We make treatment comfortable and accessible. Use our Request an Appointment form to develop a long-term treatment plan. Effective treatment of spider veins is yours when you schedule a consultation at VIVAA today. We serve the areas of Bellevue, Everett, Sammamish, Issaquah, Kirkland, Newcastle and Seattle, WA.
Q & A about Sclerotherapy (by Dr. Sidhu from RealSelf)
When flying out of town for vein treatments, how long should we wait before flying home?
Q: In order to have vein treatment, I will have to fly to another city. How long should I stay in town after a combination of EVLT, sclerotherapy and microphlebectomy before flying back home?
A: All the above-mentioned treatments have very low complication rates. For ablation, we do duplex scan between third and fifth day after the procedure and then you can fly. For sclerotherapy, there is no restriction to fly. In my practice, I don't see any need of phlebectomy. I can get better results with ablation and sclerotherapy and don't believe in leaving behind permanent scars from phlebectomy. Good luck
Would Sclerotherapy work to shrink a prominent vein on my left arm?
Q: I have very thin skin and you can see my veins very prominently on my arms and my chest. Would Sclerotherapy work to shrink the one on my left arm? People always ask if I have a bruise because it is so prominent. I am a 48-year-old woman of average weight.
A: Sclerotherapy is successful in treating prominent veins anywhere in the body. Having said that its best to have a formal consultation to actually see the area of concern and provide the best option to treat.
Having problems with my leg, had varicose veins removed 6 months ago.
Q: I had varicose veins removed approximately six months ago and everything has been fine until three days ago when I awoke and was in immediate pain from the groin going to the area that’s killing off my vein. I’ve been taking ibuprofen and it’s helped, but now the same area has become red. I’m a little panicked and would appreciate any help. Thanks, Dave.
A: It's not normal to have that response after vein treatment, especially six months ago, and if you were doing perfectly fine all along. I recommend seeing the provider so that the area can be evaluated for infection.
How do they target specific veins with sclerotherapy?
Q: My varicose veins (legs, vulva) only pop out when sitting or standing. I will be lying down under twilight sedation.
A: Sclerotherapy is not done under anesthesia. Any and most parts of the body can be treated with sclerotherapy if you have veins that bother you. There are several techniques to highlight those ugly veins to be treated with sclerotherapy. Make sure you have a consultation with someone who understands the vascular pathology. Good luck.
Severe matting after Sclerotherapy, will it go away?
Q: I had EVLT treatment on both of my legs about a month ago. A week after the procedure I had my first session of sclero. Two weeks later I had a second session. I know it may take a while to heal but after the sclero sessions I was left with little red veins throughout my legs, clusters of little veins in some places, especially the knee area. I've never had red veins like that and I'm wondering, will it go away in time or will I need to have more treatment?
A: It’s very hard to see in the pictures if the red areas are from the vein treatment or just residual veins. Anyways I would wait for 4-6 weeks and at that time all the successfully treated veins should start to disappear, but if the area still blanches and has tiny red veins then those veins will need to be injected again. It's common that after the bluish veins are injected successfully the tiny pink ones start showing. They were always there but the blue color from reticular veins has been dominating them.
What is the normal amount of time for reabsorption of superficial spider veins following lasers? Three weeks post-op.
Q: I had laser treatment for superficial spider veins on my thighs and the inside of my left knee. It's been 3 weeks and they have not been reabsorbed yet. They also look worse, darker, but no redness around them. They are not infected. Is this normal? I am not overweight and I did not lift any heavy weight or run (I do hike and dance) after the procedure 3 weeks ago. I was told I didn't need compression socks for recovery, so I didn’t buy them. Thank you.
A: Thank you for the question. So sometimes you need several sessions with the laser to remove spider veins. more than one treatment with a laser to get rid of the spider veins and if they are big then laser doesn't work that effectively. Now if they blanch, then they are still open and if they don't then they are probably thrombosed and just need more time to fade away.
What is the best laser spider vein treatment??
Q: Spider veins cover my legs. Years ago I had surgery to remove a couple of varicose veins. I've undergone many sessions of laser tx 12 years ago, painful; did no good. Nine months ago I went to a dermatology clinic that poked me for an hour (sclerotherapy) and my legs actually look worse now. WHAT do I look for in treatment? I've seen great before and after pics, why can't I get good results? I've spent thousands over the years. I'm guessing i'm not getting correct tx.
A: You need to see a vascular specialist and actually rule out reflux before receiving any additional treatment. Vascular issues should not be treated by dermatologists and plastic surgeons as they are not trained to take care of vascular issues. If there is no reflux and veins are small any laser should work but the setting is important, but if the veins are little big then sclerotherapy the better option. Good luck.
Blue veins. How do I get rid of them?
Q: I'm about eight months post BA and tonight when I was getting changed I noticed a LOT of blue spider looking veins all over my breasts! They weren't there this morning!!!! What does this mean and how do I get rid of them?
A: To give you the best recommendations its important to have a consultation to see the size of the veins but sclerotherapy is successful in treating these veins
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Author - Dr. Ramandeep Sidhu
SPECIALTIES: Percutaneous aneurysm repair, endovascular treatment of peripheral arterial disease, treatment for varicose veins, open vascular surgical procedures, deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism treatment and aesthetic services.
