What can you do about spider veins?

Hate your spider veins? Find out what causes them, some of the ways you can treat them, and how to prevent them.

Over time we experience the inevitable signs of aging, such as lines and wrinkles in our faces. And while some people are at peace with this, others become self-conscious, and their self-esteem takes a hit.

One such issue relates to spider veins. In some cases they are small, whilst in others, they are quite noticeable. Fortunately, there are things we can do if we feel they are a problem. That’s what this article is all about. 

Understand what spider veins are

The first step to either accepting or treating spider veins is to understand what they are and why they have appeared.

The simple explanation is that spider veins result from weakened or damaged veins or burst blood vessels. They may appear on your face or on your thighs, ankles, or calves.

Spider veins can be red, blue, or purple in color. They may resemble a spider’s web, hence the name. There are a number of possible causes, ranging from hormones, being overweight, or experiencing sun damage. Some people develop them during pregnancy, in which case they may disappear after a few months. 

It is reassuring to know that spider veins pose no danger, although they can cause a little discomfort. However, some people find them unsightly and want to remove them.

How to treat spider veins

As spider veins are not dangerous to your health, it is unlikely that a local doctor will want to be involved in recommending surgery. They would be more concerned over such things as large varicose veins.

A vein clinic in Orlando may recommend a non-invasive approach with minimal pain or discomfort and with little to no recovery time, as we shall discuss later. You may also check other clinics that can provide you with other medical treatment options.

The experts at MyVivaa.com say people are looking for board-certified physicians who can help. They want to discuss treatment after hours, and to decide their own medical path. They also seek online reviews to help them decide the best practitioner.  

Wear compression socks or stockings for spider veins

Compression socks or stockings are designed to help reduce the size of the spider veins and to prevent new ones from developing. When the blood is enabled to flow more freely, any swelling will be reduced.

You can select from a number of options:

  1. Prescription stockings
  2. Support panty hose
  3. Gradient compression socks and stockings

Remove spider beings with laser treatment

Laser treatment would particularly appeal to anyone who doesn’t want injections. In order to benefit from this option, your veins will need to be near the surface of the body, and less than 3mm.

A direct pulse from the light beam will make the vein clot. In turn, it will dry up. In time this will be absorbed into the body. 

Receive EVLT for spider veins

EVLT stands for Endovenous Laser Therapy. If you opt for it, you will be given a local anesthetic, and then a tiny incision will be made into the relevant vein and a laser fiber will be inserted.

This will cause the vein to collapse. After a few months or up to a year, the vein will have totally disappeared. 

Consider sclerotherapy for spider veins

Sclerotherapy involves a doctor injecting a salt solution into your vein. The salt solution is an irritant, so the procedure could be slightly unpleasant. The area will become bruised or tender initially, but over time this will reduce along with the swelling and the vein. 

The goal is for the vein to fade or completely vanish longer term. In some cases, the procedure will need to be repeated in order to achieve this. 

Research the ‘closure system’ for spider veins

This procedure is similar to sclerotherapy. The difference is that on this occasion a sticky substance is injected into your vein, so the blood will no longer be able to flow into it, and it will become pale or disappear in time. If the procedure is not fully successful, it may need to be repeated. 

Take preventative measures

In some cases, spider veins are simply hereditary. But there are things you can do to avoid developing further issues.

This includes maintaining a healthy weight and giving up smoking. Have you ever seen someone with spider veins on their face or nose? They could be symptoms of overdrinking.

You should also try to stay out of the sun or use an appropriate sunscreen. Whenever you sit down it would also be advisable to keep your feet up, too. Many people enjoy sitting in hot tubs and saunas, but they can put pressure on their veins if they stay there too long. 

Tight clothes may look fashionable, but if you want to avoid spider veins then loose-fitting clothing will be more beneficial. This particularly applies to the pelvic, waste, and leg regions. This is because tight-fitting clothes can restrict our circulation. 

There’s much you can do to prevent and treat spider veins

We can now see that there are many ways to deal with spider veins. They vary from wearing special socks or stockings to receiving a small medical procedure.

If you choose to use professional help, it’s important to find someone who is both qualified and experienced in this area. They would need to work in dermatology, or plastic or cosmetic surgery. 

As we have discussed, some treatments have to be repeated. In some cases, the spider veins can return. When everything is successful, however, you can enjoy the benefits of having beautiful skin and an increased feeling of self-esteem.