For some, spider veins – those small clusters of red, blue or purple veins that appear on the thighs, calves, and ankles – become noticeable at a young age. For others, the veins may not become obvious until much later. A number of factors may contribute to the development of spider veins in the legs, including:
There are effective, safe and relatively painless methods available for reducing spider veins. Spider vein treatment is a good option if you:
• Are bothered by spider veins anywhere on your body
• Are committed to following your plastic surgeon’s prescribed course of treatment
• Have a positive outlook and realistic goals for your spider vein treatment
If leg veins are the problem, your surgeon may examine you for signs of more serious “deep vein” problems, as well as for larger, varicose veins. These conditions are often identified by swelling, sores or skin changes at the ankle. If more serious vascular problems are identified, your surgeon may refer you to a different specialist for further evaluation and possible treatment.
Spider vein treatment requires no anesthesia and is usually performed in an outpatient setting. More than one treatment session may be required to obtain optimal results.
The common method of treating spider veins in the legs and ankles is called sclerotherapy. During this treatment, a sclerosing solution is injected into the affected veins. The injection irritates the inside of the vein, and over time the vein will collapse and fade from view. If you have multiple spider veins, the treatment will require multiple injections to collapse all the veins.
Bright light and magnification may be used to ensure maximum precision while injecting the sclerosing solution.
After treatment, the area may be dressed with compressive tape, stockings or an elastic Ace wrap for a period of time. The veined area often looks a bit bruised initially, but the color slowly fades over the course of a few weeks. Some people can have a bit of brownish discoloration (hyperpigmentation) occur to the area during the healing process. This hyperpigmentation fades as well, but may take months.
Spider veins may also be treated with a laser. In this method, an intense beam of light is directed at the spider vein, which obliterates it through the skin. More than one laser session may be needed to obtain the desired results. Sometimes, laser therapy is used in combination with sclerotherapy.
• Swelling and bruising
• Change in skin sensation
• Infection
• Hyperpigmentation
• Ulceration
• Scarring
• Persistent pain
These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It’s important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.
After your treatment, you may be instructed to wear support hose to help your legs heal. The treated sites will appear bruised and you may feel some cramping in your legs for the first day or two after treatment. This discomfort is temporary and usually doesn’t require prescription medication.
Although every patient heals at a different rate, most are back to normal activities quickly. You will be given specific instructions that may include how to care for your legs following treatment, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection, and when to follow-up with your plastic surgeon.
After each treatment, you will notice improvement of your skin’s appearance. However, it is important to realize that new spider veins may surface in the future. As time passes, you may want to consider further treatment to take care of any new veins that may emerge.
Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee. Be sure to discuss with your surgeon the results expected in your case, as well as the cost involved.
Prices for spider vein treatment can vary based on the plastic surgeons experience, the number of treatments required, the method of treatment chosen, and the geographic location of the office.
• Post-treatment garments
• Surgeon’s fee
Most health insurance does not cover cosmetic procedures or its complications.