Even though spider veins may not be a serious health problem, they can still cause uncomfortable symptoms — and they can definitely be unattractive. Fortunately, sclerotherapy can help. Here’s how.
Also known as telangiectasias, spider veins are extremely common — so common that nearly everyone will have them at some point. Usually, spider veins are harmless — but they can cause uncomfortable symptoms, like pain and itching, and they can also make us feel a lot more self-conscious about the way we look.
At Micari Aesthetics, our team treats spider veins with sclerotherapy, often considered the gold standard for spider vein treatment. Let’s look at what causes spider veins and how sclerotherapy works to get rid of them.
Why spider veins happen
Named for their weblike appearance, spider veins happen when tiny veins no longer function the way they’re supposed to, typically as a result of inflammation and irritation in the veins. One reason why spider veins are so common is because they’re associated with lots of risk factors, including:
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Prolonged sitting or standing
- Pregnancy
- Older age
- Female gender
- Hormonal changes
- Hormone treatments, including birth control methods
- Topical steroid use
- Localized injury
Spider veins also tend to be more common among people with a family history of spider veins or varicose veins.
In addition to their unattractive appearance, spider veins can cause itching or burning sensations, along with changes in the texture of your skin. Over time, these changes can make your skin more prone to injury, increasing your risk of dangerous infections.
Like varicose veins, spider veins tend to be more common in your legs and feet, areas where body weight puts extra pressure on your veins. But they can occur in other areas, too, including your hands, arms, and face.
Sclerotherapy: Time-tested, safe, and effective
Sclerotherapy uses injections of special solutions to shrink and fade spider veins over time. These solutions irritate the tissue that lines these veins, causing swelling that effectively closes the vein and prevents future blood flow.
Instead, blood is rerouted to neighboring veins. In the weeks following your treatment, the unused vein is absorbed by your body’s “built-in” waste disposal system, leaving clearer, healthier-looking skin.
Performed on an outpatient basis, sclerotherapy injections are quick, and there’s no downtime afterward. We may recommend a compression bandage or compression socks to speed healing and reduce potential swelling, and you should elevate the treatment site as often as possible for the first few days.
Find relief for your unsightly spider veins
While spider veins are almost always harmless, they can be a sign of underlying circulation problems, including issues that affect your larger, deeper veins. Having an evaluation plays an important role in identifying circulation disorders so they can be treated early.
If you have spider veins that bother you, we can help. To learn more, call 631-910-7599 or request an appointment online with the team at our Bellmore, New York, location today.
