Cosmetic Treatment for Varicose, Spider, Reticular Veins
Spider veins are small, damaged veins that can appear on the surface of the legs. They can be blue, purple, or red and may appear in the form of thin lines, webs, or branches. While usually not painful, many patients choose to treat them for cosmetic reasons – insurance will not cover this.
At Integrated Skin Institute, we treat surface-level spider, reticular, and varicose veins with:
- sclerotherapy
- vascular lasers
- Treatment sessions are typically 20-30 minutes each
- Each leg may require several (2-3) sessions until desired improvement
What is sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a procedure in which a small amount of medication is injected into the veins requiring treatment. The veins react to the medication by becoming inflamed and closing off, reabsorbing into the body over the following weeks.
This treatment takes about 30 minutes to complete and is performed in the office. Patients can expect to resume normal activities immediately after treatment, but will require the use of compression stockings for one week following treatment.
Sclerotherapy – 1st line treatment
Vascular laser – 2nd line treatment
How to Prevent Spider Veins
You can’t change your genetics, but there are a few things you can do to lower the risk you’ll develop spider veins. Dr. Mudigonda recommends doing the following:
- Stay active and try to maintain a healthy weight
- Avoid sitting or standing in one position for too long
- Wear compression stockings or socks
- Protect your skin from the sun
- Avoid tight clothing that restricts blood flow
However, since spider veins are often caused by underlying chronic venous insufficiency, a formal medical consultation and ultrasound evaluation may be beneficial. – click here to learn more.
