Spider veins are tiny dilated capillaries, typically in red or blue-ish color. They can be short unconnected lines or come together in a spiderweb-like pattern just under the skin’s surface, commonly on the thighs, face, the backs of the calves, the insides of the legs, and the ankles. Thanks to the evolution of technology, spider vein treatment now involves lasers to sclerotherapy injections which can be used alone or in combination with other therapies depending on specific needs.
What Causes Spider Veins?
The following factors can affect the reasons for spider veins:
- Gender. More often than men, women can develop spider veins, especially pregnant women, who have a higher risk of developing varicose veins since more blood needs to flow through the body while carrying a baby, putting extra stress on the veins.
- Family history. There are up to 90% of people in families with spider veins conditions that run in them.
- Age. The likelihood of developing spider veins increases with age, occurring in over 41% of women over age 50.
- Activity level. Jobs requiring to be on the feet for long periods, like waiting tables or nursing, or sitting for a long time, can increase the likelihood of developing spider veins. That said, staying in one position for an extended period can tighten the veins in the legs, causing them to weaken over time.
- Obesity. Spider veins and other vein issues are more common in people who are obese.
- Sunlight. Sunlight may damage specific tissues in the body that support and keep veins in place.
What Are The Different Type Of Spider Veins Treatment?
In general, spider veins are harmless, but they can cause discomfort. Some people may also treat or remove them for cosmetic reasons. Below are different treatment options an individual can try:
Home Remedies and Treatments
Compression stockings or socks
To place pressure on the veins in the lower legs, wearing compression stockings or socks can help address this condition. The pressure can help improve blood flow and prevent further spider or varicose veins. In addition, compression stockings may also help relieve leg swelling and lower the risk of blood clots in the legs.
Exercise and weight loss
Engaging the muscles in the legs helps push blood up through them and avoid pooling. Losing weight can also relieve the legs of extra downward pressure, making it harder for blood to travel up the veins.
Elevation
The elevation is a remedy to relieve the pressure in the veins for those with spider veins on the hands and legs. Moreover, elevation even improves blood circulation to the affected area with the help of the following:
- Place a pillow under the legs while sleeping on the back for those with spider veins on the legs. In addition, it is best to keep the legs elevated for 15 minutes at a time, several times a day.
- Place and elevate the hands on a few stacked pillows for 15 minutes, 4 or 5 times a day for those with spider veins on the hands.
- Sleep on the back with your head slightly elevated with the help of soft pillows to reduce the discomfort of spider veins on the face. The head should be at least a couple of inches above the body.
Massage
Another easy and simple way to get rid of spider veins and improve circulation is a regular massage to the affected area and reducing pain and inflammation. Also, it is recommended to use extra-virgin olive oil or extra-virgin coconut oil while massaging because they have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, these oils quickly penetrate deep into the skin.
- Slightly warm the chosen oil in a microwave.
- Use this warm oil to massage the affected veins with firm yet gentle strokes.
- Massage for 10 minutes at a time, 3 or 4 times daily.
Medical Procedures
Sclerotherapy and closure system
Sclerotherapy involves injecting an irritant directly into the affected vein. Because of irritation, the veins stick together and keep blood from flowing into the area, helping reduce swelling that causes the vein to shrink, fade, or vanish over time.
Moreover, several treatments may be necessary to obtain the desired result. Like Sclerotherapy, closure system treatment involves injecting a substance into the affected veins. This sticky substance closes the vein off from blood flow, causing the spider vein to fade or disappear with time.
As with Sclerotherapy, a person may require several treatments to produce the desired outcome.
Laser treatment
A healthcare professional can use a laser to treat small spider veins close to the skin’s surface. With laser treatment, an intense, focused beam of light can cause the spider vein to clot and dry up.
The good new thing about this procedure is that laser treatments are less invasive than sclerotherapy and closure systems since they involve no injection. However, this treatment is typically less effective in reducing spider veins.
Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT)
This is a newer procedure to treat spider and small varicose veins. ELVT works by making a small incision in the affected vein and inserting a laser fiber that has to be performed by a healthcare professional. Moreover, the laser applies heat directly to the vein and causes it to collapse.
Remember that the vein may take several months or a year to disappear. EVLT involves the use of local anesthesia.
How To Prevent Spider Veins From Forming in The First Place?
If an individual is prone to developing spider veins, following these tips may help keep them at bay.
- Continually hydrates the skin by drinking lots of water every day. The more fluids are taken in, the better the skin can perform its functions well.
- Avoid tanning beds and outdoors because this will only speed up the appearance of spider veins on the legs.
- Avoid smoking.
- Avoid crossing your legs while sitting.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce stress levels.
- Elevate the legs.
- Eat plenty of natural foods good for the veins.
- Go for more cardio exercises early in the morning or late at night.
- Stick to organic make-up products.
- Wear sunscreen.
- Limit alcohol consumption.
- Use vitamin C cream on the face and body.
The Bottom Line
Although painless and does not cause health problems, some people may wish to treat spider veins for cosmetic reasons. At Skintuition Medical Aesthetics, they treat spider veins with Sclerotherapy using Asclera® to help get the desired results and help patients look and feel great again. Ultimately, Asclera® is the new gold standard treatment for leg veins, so get ready to say goodbye to those unsightly, embarrassing veins.
