A Blog published by the Cosmetic Centers of Hawaii

Five Things You Should Know About Spider Veins on the Legs

  

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By Marné Carmichael Walsh , P-AC

Spider veins on the legs can keep you off the beach and make you feel self-conscious in skirts or shorts. Luckily, easy treatments for leg spider veins are available that can significantly reduce their appearance and make your legs look youthful again.

Here are five things you should know about treatments for spider veins on the legs:

1. Sclerotherapy is the Gold Standard for treatment. In sclerotherapy, a solution that causes the veins to collapse (called a “sclerosing agent) is injected into the veins using a micro needle. Just three or four sessions can result in a 50-70% disappearance of your spider veins.
2. Spider veins are easily and safely treated in the office with no downtime and minimal discomfort. Each treatment session takes only 15-30 minutes, and no anesthesia is needed. The newest FDA-approved injections cause minimal discomfort compared with the injections that were used in the past. In fact, you can return to work immediately after your procedure. All you have to do is wear compression stockings for 1-2 weeks.
3. Did you know that spider veins are often caused by underlying venous disease, pregnancy, or trauma? If venous disease is present, an ultrasound can be used to detect it. This is a non-invasive test that is best performed by an office that specializes in vein treatments. If the test results are positive, your best option is to treat the venous disease (which is usually covered by medical insurance and Medicare) before you have sclerotherapy. The hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, as well as the increased weight, can aggravate venous disease if you already have it. This is why we often see more spider veins with each pregnancy.
4. Spider veins usually increase in number every year. If you have spider veins, you can expect to accumulate a few more with each coming year. If you have venous disease, you will no doubt develop even more spider veins than usual each year.
5. Laser treatment is used as an additional treatment for spider veins that are too small for injections. If you have very small veins on the legs that remain after your sclerotherapy treatment, lasers offer a way to get rid of these veins as well.

Next Steps.

If you think you have a few spider veins, schedule a free 10-minute sclero vein screening to find out whether or not you need a full vein consult for venous insufficiency or just sclerotherapy. If you think you have varicose veins or have leg discomfort schedule an appointment for a 40-minute vein consult that is usually covered by medical insurance.

The specialists at Cosmetic Centers of Hawaii have extensive experience removing spider veins on the legs with both sclerotherapy and laser treatments. Complete our request form for more information or to schedule a consultation. You can stop hiding your legs once and for all! 

Summary:

• Sclerotherapy is the best treatment for spider veins on the legs.
• The latest injections cause minimal discomfort, and you can return to work immediately.
• Spider veins may be an indication of underlying venous disease.
• Laser treatments can remove any tiny spider veins that cannot be treated with sclerotherapy.

Stop hiding your legs. Schedule a FREE 10-minute Vein Consult with Marné CarMichael Walsh, M.S., PA-C.