Spider Veins

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Spider Veins

Spider Vein Treatment

Spider veins are small, discolored veins that often appear on the legs or face. They have a spider-web or tree branch appearance and are typically not painful, but many people wish to have them removed for cosmetic reasons. There are several treatment options available that can help fade or remove spider veins. Treatment options can range from basic self-care at home to non-invasive laser treatment or vein injections.

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What Causes Spider Veins?

Spider veins in the legs are caused when the valves that are inside the veins stop working as they should. Our veins work to carry blood back to the heart. To prevent that blood flow from going backward, veins have a one-way valve that always closes when blood passes through. If the valve becomes weak or damaged, it makes it difficult for the blood to flow in the right direction. When that occurs, the blood begins to pool inside the vein. That causes a bulge to form and the vein then branches out, which results in spider veins.

Spider veins that appear on the face are due to small blood vessels bursting. Sometimes this occurs because of sun damage or increased pressure to the area.

What Forms of Spider Vein Treatment Are Available?

There are a few treatment options available for spider veins. If you have a mild case, your doctor would likely recommend that you try self-care methods such as wearing compression socks or stockings. For more severe cases, the following medical treatments are recommended.

Sclerotherapy and Closure System Treatment

With this treatment option, an irritant is injected into the affected vein. As the walls of the vein begin to become irritated, they start to stick together. This prevents the blood from flowing into the area. Sclerotherapy is known to help reduce swelling and also causes the vein the shrink. Over time, the spider veins will fade away or disappear. To obtain the desired results, several sclerotherapy treatments may be necessary.

Closure system treatment is very similar to sclerotherapy. It involves injecting a substance into the spider veins. The sticky substance closes the vein off which prevents blood flow. This causes the spider vein to either fade or disappear over time. Several closure system treatments may be required before the patient is satisfied with the outcome.

After sclerotherapy or closure system therapy treatment, the patient often wears compression stockings for a few days or weeks. The spider veins begin to disappear usually after 6 weeks have passed.

Laser Treatment

Laser treatment is a less invasive option that can successfully treat spider veins that are close to the skin’s surface. Using a strong laser the focused beam of light causes the vein to clot and then dry up. This treatment is not as invasive as sclerotherapy because there are no injections involved. The procedure is also not painful and is usually performed in the office. BASS Vein Center does not offer laser treatment at this time

Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT)

EVLT is a procedure that is used to treat both spider veins and smaller varicose veins. The doctor makes a small incision in the vein and a laser fiber is inserted. The laser applies heat to the vein and that causes it to collapse. It can take a few months for the vein to completely disappear. This procedure involves the use of local anesthesia.

Unlike with varicose veins, surgery is not often used as a form of spider vein treatment. That is because spider veins are much smaller and they often respond best to less invasive treatment options.

Contact BASS Vein Center Today for Spider Vein Treatment

If you would like more information about spider vein treatment, get in touch with the experts at BASS Vein Center today for more details. We are happy to provide our services to the residents of Walnut Creek, Brentwood, Antioch, and the entire East Bay Area.

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