What are Spider Veins?
Spider Veins (also known as telangiectasias) are small thread like veins close to the skin surface that appear red or blue. They are more prominent on the back and sides of the thigh and just below the knee. They also occur on the face and other areas of the body, such as the neck and chest. These veins are more distinct in fair skinned people. The spider veins may appear spontaneously and they have no symptoms.
Can Spider Veins cause leg swelling or pain?
Spider veins are minute veins and thread-like. They are only of a cosmetic nuisance. They should not cause pain, leg swelling or fatigue. If there are these symptoms, the spider veins may not be the cause of the problem.
What causes Spider Veins?
The real cause of spider veins is not fully known but they often become more prominent with weight gain, those who have suffered minor trauma, in females who are on their feet for prolonged periods, due to pregnancy and perhaps with use of contraceptives. There may be a genetic component to getting spider veins. In general, any condition that will increase pressure in the veins, can lead to spider veins. The spider veins that appear on the nose and cheeks may be due to exposure to the sun.
Is there any harm in removing Spider Veins?
Spider veins have no function and removing does no harm. The only reason they are removed is because of they may appear unsightly.
When is the best time to have the Spider Veins treated?
Spider veins have no symptoms and the major problem is cosmetic. Therefore, the laser therapy is strictly elective and can be done any time. In females, spider veins do tend to become more prominent during pregnancy and so it is best to wait until the pregnancy is over.
How do Lasers treat Spider Veins?
The most important thing to know is that these veins are entirely of a cosmetic concern. Laser treatment is a safe, effective option for spider veins, taking around 15 minutes per treatment. Laser energy causes your spider veins to coagulate and shrink. Repeat sessions are geneally required.
Does Laser Vein Therapy hurt?
During the laser vein treatment you are likely to experience mild discomfort similar to having a small rubber band snapping against your skin. Some feel a mild burning sensation. Treatments usually do not require sedatives, pain medications, or injections of local anesthetic. You can request a topical anesthetic prior to treatment.
What should I expect following Laser Vein Therapy?
Immediately following treatment on the legs, spider veins will be darker and more visible. Over two to six weeks, your spider veins usually fade. After each treatment, expect 30% improvement in leg spider veins. An average of three treatments will be required at three- to six-week intervals to produce the desired results.
On the face, you may have minor bruising that usually improves within a week, but often, recovery is immediate. Around three treatments may be required to achieve your desired result. Immediately following treatment, you may apply makeup for a presentable appearance. After each treatment, you will see a 75% improvement in the appearance of face spider veins. An average of three treatments will be required at three to four week intervals to produce desired results.
What are the alternatives to Laser Vein Therapy?
Surgery is never used to treat spider veins. The most common alternatives for treating spider veins are sclerotherapy and camouflage. The scleratherapy procedure is best suited for medium to large spider veins because it relies upon fitting a tiny needle into a tiny vein and injecting a sterile sclerosing solution (either hypertonic saline or sodium tetradecylsulfate). This solution irritates the vein lining causing it to undergo fibrosis, contract, collapse and eventually disappear.
Can Spider Veins recur?
Regardless of treatment, you should anticipate the development of new spider veins over time. Spider veins can be removed but new ones can always occur. Most people who have spider veins have a predisposition and despite treatment, new veins will appear in the coming years. There is no cure for spider veins.
What does it cost for Spider Vein treatments?
Unfortunately, spider veins are considered cosmetic in nature and the cost of treatment is not covered by any insurance. The cost of treating spider veins is $150 per session per area. There is an extra cost if a topical anesthetic is requested.
Spider Veins (also known as telangiectasias) are small thread like veins close to the skin surface that appear red or blue. They are more prominent on the back and sides of the thigh and just below the knee. They also occur on the face and other areas of the body, such as the neck and chest. These veins are more distinct in fair skinned people. The spider veins may appear spontaneously and they have no symptoms.
Can Spider Veins cause leg swelling or pain?
Spider veins are minute veins and thread-like. They are only of a cosmetic nuisance. They should not cause pain, leg swelling or fatigue. If there are these symptoms, the spider veins may not be the cause of the problem.
What causes Spider Veins?
The real cause of spider veins is not fully known but they often become more prominent with weight gain, those who have suffered minor trauma, in females who are on their feet for prolonged periods, due to pregnancy and perhaps with use of contraceptives. There may be a genetic component to getting spider veins. In general, any condition that will increase pressure in the veins, can lead to spider veins. The spider veins that appear on the nose and cheeks may be due to exposure to the sun.
Is there any harm in removing Spider Veins?
Spider veins have no function and removing does no harm. The only reason they are removed is because of they may appear unsightly.
When is the best time to have the Spider Veins treated?
Spider veins have no symptoms and the major problem is cosmetic. Therefore, the laser therapy is strictly elective and can be done any time. In females, spider veins do tend to become more prominent during pregnancy and so it is best to wait until the pregnancy is over.
How do Lasers treat Spider Veins?
The most important thing to know is that these veins are entirely of a cosmetic concern. Laser treatment is a safe, effective option for spider veins, taking around 15 minutes per treatment. Laser energy causes your spider veins to coagulate and shrink. Repeat sessions are geneally required.
Does Laser Vein Therapy hurt?
During the laser vein treatment you are likely to experience mild discomfort similar to having a small rubber band snapping against your skin. Some feel a mild burning sensation. Treatments usually do not require sedatives, pain medications, or injections of local anesthetic. You can request a topical anesthetic prior to treatment.
What should I expect following Laser Vein Therapy?
Immediately following treatment on the legs, spider veins will be darker and more visible. Over two to six weeks, your spider veins usually fade. After each treatment, expect 30% improvement in leg spider veins. An average of three treatments will be required at three- to six-week intervals to produce the desired results.
On the face, you may have minor bruising that usually improves within a week, but often, recovery is immediate. Around three treatments may be required to achieve your desired result. Immediately following treatment, you may apply makeup for a presentable appearance. After each treatment, you will see a 75% improvement in the appearance of face spider veins. An average of three treatments will be required at three to four week intervals to produce desired results.
What are the alternatives to Laser Vein Therapy?
Surgery is never used to treat spider veins. The most common alternatives for treating spider veins are sclerotherapy and camouflage. The scleratherapy procedure is best suited for medium to large spider veins because it relies upon fitting a tiny needle into a tiny vein and injecting a sterile sclerosing solution (either hypertonic saline or sodium tetradecylsulfate). This solution irritates the vein lining causing it to undergo fibrosis, contract, collapse and eventually disappear.
Can Spider Veins recur?
Regardless of treatment, you should anticipate the development of new spider veins over time. Spider veins can be removed but new ones can always occur. Most people who have spider veins have a predisposition and despite treatment, new veins will appear in the coming years. There is no cure for spider veins.
What does it cost for Spider Vein treatments?
Unfortunately, spider veins are considered cosmetic in nature and the cost of treatment is not covered by any insurance. The cost of treating spider veins is $150 per session per area. There is an extra cost if a topical anesthetic is requested.
