Laser Treatments for Spider Veins
Spider veins may seem like a minor problem to some people, but the burning, itching, and appearance of these veins can cause patients a great deal of distress. Luckily, you do not have to continue suffering with this condition. Read more to find out about the best laser for spider veins.
If you have venous disease, including spider veins, you need information about the latest treatments for your condition. In recent years, the medical community has made great strides in spider vein treatment options. Below are answers to the questions many spider vein sufferers have:
What are Spider Veins?
Spider veins are enlarged or dilated veins that look like blue or red spider legs or tree branches on your legs. They are quite visible and often cause sufferers to feel self-conscious.
Are Spider Veins Dangerous?
In general, spider veins are not dangerous, but they can cause itching, swelling, and pain. Sometimes a rash occurs as well. Spider veins are a condition that can lower your quality of life.
What Causes Spider Veins?
Spider veins and varicose veins are both caused by weak or damaged valves in your veins. They most often appear in the legs because blood leaks back into the veins instead of being pumped back up to the heart. These veins do sometimes appear in other areas. This pooled blood can be clearly seen through your skin and gives the vein a thin, spidery, appearance.
Who Gets Spider Veins?
If your mother or other close relative has spider veins, you may also get them since heredity plays a role. Other causes of spider veins include obesity, age, certain medical conditions, and a history of blood clots.
If your occupation requires that you be on your feet, you are also more likely to get spider veins. Wait staff, teachers, factory workers, and hair stylists are susceptible to this condition. Women get spider veins more often than men, and older people get them more often than younger folks. People who have suffered injuries, had previous vein surgery and have a history of sun exposure are also at increased risk. In fact, 30% to 60% of adults have either varicose veins or spider veins.
What are the Treatments for Spider Veins?
Fortunately, you have a number of treatment options for your spider veins. Sometimes, lifestyle changes such as wearing compression stockings, weight loss and a walking regime can help. In some instances, your vein doctor may recommend a safe and effective medical procedure. Invasive surgery is done as a last resort. If a laser treatment is required, what is the best laser for spider veins? It depends on whether you have underlying chronic venous disease.
Surface Laser Treatment
For some patients, the use of laser or intense pulsed light are the best choice for spider vein treatment. This procedure uses heat on the skin’s surface to destroy these unsightly veins. This type of laser treatment is fast and non-invasive. The side effects are few, but may include discoloration and blistering.
Endovenous (Inside the Vein) Laser Ablation
During this procedure, the vein doctor inserts a small laser fiber into the spider vein which delivers “pulses of light” that make the vein collapse. You will only need local anesthesia for this procedure, which is done on an outpatient basis. Laser treatment is minimally invasive and has few side effects. Most patients are quite satisfied with the results.
Radio Frequency Ablation
For some patients, radio frequency ablation may be appropriate. This procedure is generally used on severe cases of varicose veins, a more debilitating type of dilated veins than spider veins. In this procedure, the vein doctor inserts a catheter into the affected vein. Then a probe is put into the catheter that delivers radio frequency energy to the inside of the vein, causing it to seal off. This procedure requires only local anesthesia and has few side effects. The results are generally quite good, in fact most expert vein doctors say radiofrequency ablation is the best treatment for spider veins.
How Can You Prevent Spider Veins?
If you are not careful, you can get new spider veins even after treatment. Fortunately, you can take steps to prevent them from forming. Experts recommend the following:
- Exercise regularly to keep the blood flowing properly in your legs.
- Use sunscreen to protect your skin from ultraviolet rays.
- Keep your feet elevated whenever possible when you are sitting or resting.
- Don’t cross your legs when sitting for long periods of time.
- Avoid clothing that restricts your blood flow, particularly in the legs.
- Control your weight to lessen the pressure on your legs.
Where Can You Get Treatment?
Vein Treatment Center, with clinics in New York, New Jersey, California and Florida, offers the latest and most effective spider vein treatment, varicose vein treatment and chronic venous insufficiency treatment. They have been voted as one of the #1 Vein Doctors in the Nation multiple times. The expert staff will diagnose and treat your venous condition quickly and professionally. Their medical directors trained at Harvard Medical School and oversee quality control at all of the Vein Treatment Center locations.
No one has to live with unsightly and uncomfortable spider veins. Outpatient spider vein treatments are available that are nearly painless and produce few side effects. You do not have to undergo extensive and painful procedures to treat your vein disease. Instead, visit an expert vein doctor to receive the best spider vein treatment available.
