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Spider Veins
Spider veins are small, dark veins which are visible on the skin’s surface. Often, spider veins may be a sign of vein disease deeper in the leg. It’s wise to have a Venous Insufficiency evaluation, along with an overall treatment plan, BEFORE beginning to address spider veins.
In most cases, spider veins themselves are easy to treat. Performed in the office, micro-injections of medicine will shut down each small vein. Recovery is minimal and generally requires no down-time.
Causes and Risk Factors
Venous insufficiency, which causes spider veins and varicose veins, is extremely common among adults. Damaged valves cause blood to pool and the darkened veins become visible on the skin. There are several risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing spider veins. They include:
- Family History: Heredity is the number-one contributing factor to the formation of varicose veins. Up to 50% of people with a family history of vein disease will develop them.
- Sex: Spider veins typically affect women more than men.
- Pregnancy:Due to the increased blood moving through the body and the fluctuation of hormones, veins and valves can weaken at a faster rate during pregnancy.
- Age:Valves in the veins become weaker over time, increasing the chance that blood will pool and cause spider veins.
- Weight: When there is increased body weight putting additional pressure on the legs, the pressure can make it difficult for veins in the legs to function properly.
- Hormones:Birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy can increase the amount of estrogen in the body, which can weaken vein valves.
- Occupational: Jobs that require people to sit or stand for long periods of time can increase the chance of developing spider veins. Sitting or standing puts more strain on veins, while actively moving legs throughout the day boosts circulation.
Spider Vein Treatment
Although spider veins do not typically cause symptoms, many people want to remove them for cosmetic reasons. Performed in the office, our trained registered nurse uses microinjections of medication to shut down each individual vein. The blood is then redirected to healthy veins.
At your first appointment, our sclerotherapy nurse will provide an estimate on the number of required sessions needed to close your spider veins.
How much does spider vein treatment cost?
- Initial cosmetic consultation: $0 for limited ultrasound and 30 minute consultation
- Full session: $400/30 minutes ($100 discount for pre-payment)
- Touch-up session: $200/15 minutes ($50 discount for pre-payment)
Additional Information
- We will carefully focus our treatment on what is most important to you. The treatment of spider veins begins with a comprehensive consultation where a personalized treatment plan will be made. Our sclerotherapy nurse will estimate the number of visits you may need. These estimates may be revised based on your expectations and outcomes.
- Sclerotherapy injections usually take multiple sessions to be effective. It is best to wait 4-6 weeks between treatments for the best cosmetic outcome.
- Spider veins are a mild form of venous disease, which is chronic and progressive. This means that your body may grow new spider veins over time. Most patients require maintenance sessions every few years.
- Potential side effects associated with sclerotherapy include bruising, hyperpigmentation, and tissue necrosis. Side effects and further questions can be discussed in depth during your initial consultation.
- The presence of spider veins may indicate that there is more serious venous disease occurring below the skin’s surface. In some cases, an ultrasound may be required for a complete assessment.
