Spider veins are extremely common but unappealing to most who experience them. The good news is there are steps you can take to promote good leg circulation to lessen your risk or delay the onset of spider veins and treatments to erase them if they do surface.
Spider veins are most commonly found on the legs and face. Generally red or blue in appearance, these dilated veins near the surface of the skin. They twist and turn resembling a spider web, hence the name. They generally spread and become more visible with age. There are a number of risk factors associated with the development of spider veins, some of which include:
- genetics,
- age,
- obesity,
- and prolonged periods of standing or sitting.
If you have direct relatives that have experienced spider veins, chances are you will as well. However, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk or delay onset of unsightly spider veins with a few simple tips.
Spider veins are not a serious health risk, but if they are holding you back, it may be time to seek treatment. Current treatment options for spider veins are highly effective. It may take several weeks post-procedure to see the full benefits and they may not always disappear entirely. New spider veins can develop in the same area over time, so it is important to implement proper home care for your legs and veins following treatment. Treatment options for spider veins include:
- Sclerotherapy – During this procedure, the physician or vein trained specialist injects a solution into the vein causing it to swell, collapse and fade away, and over time it is absorbed back into the body. This procedure is often coupled with the treatment of large varicose veins for optimal aesthetic results. While some veins will need to be treated more than once, sclerotherapy is highly effective when done correctly.
- Laser therapy – As with laser procedures to treat varicose veins, the laser is used to send heat energy into the spider vein causing it to close off and eventually fade away. During the laser procedure and sclerotherapy, blood is naturally rerouted to other properly functioning veins.
Spider veins should not hold you back from the things you enjoy in life. Schedule an appointment today with one of the board-certified vascular specialists at Premier Vein Clinics and take the first step to restoring your beautiful, healthy legs.