Is it worth treating spider veins?

Reduced Health Risk

Most spider and varicose veins are harmless, if unattractive. But some large varicose veins can also threaten your health. It's important to seek out treatment as soon as possible to prevent serious health problems, like blood clots.

Is it worth it to remove spider veins?

Though generally harmless, hair-thin blemishes, known as spider veins, can cause some to want to cover up even in the heat. Treating spider veins is rarely a medical necessity (though some seek treatment to relieve the aching the veins can cause), but for those who want it, spider vein-free skin is just a zap away.

Do spider veins go away with treatment?

Laser light can destroy the vein without damaging your skin. Small spider veins may disappear immediately after treatment. Larger spider veins and varicose veins will darken, and you'll likely see them for 1 to 3 months before they disappear. To get complete clearing, you may need 3 or more treatments.

How long do spider vein treatments last?

While smaller veins may only take 15 minutes to be treated, larger veins may take up to an hour to be treated. To achieve the best results, more than one session is often needed.

What is the best treatment for spider veins?

Sclerotherapy, which can be done in an office setting, is the most common treatment for spider veins. The procedure involves injecting a solution directly into the veins, causing them to constrict and close. As blood is rerouted to healthy veins, the spider veins "disappear" as blood no longer flows through them.

How Doctors Get Rid of Spider Veins

How can I prevent my spider veins from getting worse?

Can I remove spider veins myself?

You'll need to see a specialist to actually treat visible veins. If you're wondering how to get rid of spider veins for good, know that Dr. Hollingsworth says those wacky home remedies won't work.

Do spider veins look worse after treatment?

You will likely look worse after the treatment because the medicine leaves small welts similar to mosquito bites. Don't' be discouraged! Proper spider vein treatment is a process and it is after the subsequent treatments that you really begin to see the effects.

Who should not get sclerotherapy?

Also, sclerotherapy may not be not suitable for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or confined to bedrest. After giving birth, people must wait 3 months before having sclerotherapy.

Do spider veins come back after treatment?

Whether you get treatment with injection, laser ablation, or microphlebectomy, there is still a chance the veins will come back. Genetics: Unfortunately, there's no crystal ball way to predict if and when new spider veins will appear.

How do you stop spider veins from spreading?

What causes spider veins to get worse?

Over time, veins dilate due to gravity and repeated stretching, causing the walls to lose their elasticity and strength. Additionally, advancing age causes repeated wear and tear on the valves. Eventually, the walls of the valve can become so stretched that they can no longer close properly.

When is the best time to treat spider veins?

While vein treatments can be performed throughout the year, many patients opt to have treatment during the winter months. Treating your varicose or spider veins will not only alleviate painful symptoms, such as cramping and fatigue, but will ensure that come summertime you'll be ready for shorts season!

How much does it cost to get rid of a spider vein?

How much does spider vein treatment cost? The average cost of spider vein treatment (sclerotherapy) is $413 and the average cost of laser treatment for leg veins is $312, according to the most recent statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Which is better for spider veins laser or sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is best for superficial spider veins on the legs and hands. It's less expensive, faster, and more effective than laser treatment. Sclerotherapy is also better for people with darker skin. Lasers produce light that can cause discoloration in people with tanned skin.

How many sessions are needed for spider veins?

This varies depending on the size of the veins and the extent of spider vein spreads. Most clients take two to four treatment sessions to get to near-complete results. While complete elimination of the veins is not guaranteed, most clients will see significant improvement in the weeks after the first treatment.

What are the cons of sclerotherapy?

Is there an alternative to sclerotherapy?

Microphlebectomy Treatment

By using microscopic incisions, the veins are removed through the leg's surface. The procedure is commonly used to treat larger varicose veins and can be an alternative option when sclerotherapy is ineffective.

What are the dangers of sclerotherapy?

Those serious side effects include ulceration of skin around the injected area, allergic reaction to the sclerotherapy solution, mild inflammation and discomfort around the injected area, and blood clot formation in the treated veins.

Do spider veins mean poor circulation?

Spider veins develop when pressure inside the affected veins increases, which can be caused by blood circulation problems. Having certain risk factors can make you more likely to have these veins. In general, your chance of having spider veins goes up as you get older, especially if they run in your family.

What age is normal for spider veins?

Despite what you may think about spider veins only affecting older populations, anyone can get spider veins, including young women and men. It's quite common, especially for women in their teens, 20s and 40s to develop spider veins.

Why do my legs look worse after sclerotherapy?

The first thing you should know is that results are not instantaneous. It takes time for the veins to disappear. In fact, it is common and very probable, that your legs will look worse before getting better. Bruising at or near the injection site or along the course of the vein is common.

Can you massage away spider veins?

Massage is thought to work on spider veins because it is an effective way to stimulate healthy blood circulation. This approach can also relieve pain and swelling that is sometimes associated with spider veins.

Are spider veins permanent?

Depending on your health condition, spider veins may be permanent. They can disappear on their own after several months, especially when caused by pregnancy or certain medications.

Can spider veins go away permanently?

So we are often asked if spider veins go away on their own. The truth is that spider veins on the legs tend to worsen over time in people that have them. They rarely – if ever – go away on their own. The good news, however, is that they can be treated with techniques such as sclerotherapy.