What is the Best Vein Treatment for Spider and Varicose Veins?
A Guide from Expert Vein Doctors
Vein Treatment technology has evolved rapidly. We break down the pros and cons of the best vein treatment for each type of vein problem and explain how to find a top vein clinic for your vein treatment
Did you know that most vein treatments are covered by most insurances, including Medicare?
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What is the Best Vein Treatment for You? Our Vein Experts Rank the Top Varicose and Spider Vein Treatments
By Vein Treatment Clinic Doctors
In this article we compare advantages and disadvantages of every available treatment for Spider and Varicose Veins to help you decide which treatment is best for you if you are considering vein treatment.
Are you considering getting Vein Treatment done? If so, below is a must read article. With so many spider and varicose vein treatment options out there, with so many different types of doctor for vein disease, it’s hard to navigate what the best option is for you. We hope that the below article will help empower you to make the right decision on which type of treatment to have and in choosing which vein doctor is best for you.
Progress in the field of vein treatment has outpaced almost any other medical technology over the past three decades. With the development of minimally invasive spider and varicose vein treatment options, addressing your vein problems has gone from awful and unreliable to safe and effective awesome. But the number of different treatment options can almost seem overwhelming, and selecting the best type of vein treatment, vein specialist, and vein clinic can be tricky. In this article, we’ll break down the best treatments depending on the issue you want to address, and provide a step-by-step guide to finding a great vein doctor near you that will carry out these vein treatments effectively and safely.
Not sure how to pick where to get treatment for veins? Make sure you book an appointment at an IAC Accredited Vascular Testing Center
Before we address treatment options, it’s important to understand a few basics about veins: most spider and varicose veins are due to an underlying condition called “venous insufficiency,” or “vein disease.” In venous insufficiency, veins slightly below the surface of the skin aren’t functioning efficiently. Instead of bringing blood back to the heart, the blood pools in the legs. This results in increased pressure, which can cause your body to form spider and varicose veins. A good vein doctor will always check for venous insufficiency before addressing any spider or varicose veins. Most of the time, venous insufficiency can be easily addressed. Without addressing this underlying cause, it may make it every difficult to treat the spider and varicose veins on the surface.
Types of Vein Treatments:
Sclerotherapy
60 min
NON-INVASIVE | NON-SURGICAL
Our patients voted this cosmetic vein treatment as the best for spider vein removal.
RF Ablation
20 min
NON-INVASIVE | NON-SURGICAL
Our patients voted this treatment as the best for swollen and enlarged varicose veins.
VenaSeal
60 min
NON-INVASIVE | NON-SURGICAL
Our patients voted this treatment as the best cutting-edge procedure to treat venous reflux.
ClariVein
60 min
NON-INVASIVE | NON-SURGICAL
Our patients voted this treatment as the best for superficial venous reflux, reduction in pain, and quick return to normal activities.
EVLT
60 min
NON-INVASIVE | NON-SURGICAL
Our patients voted this treatment as the best for restoring proper circulation and causing bulging veins to disappear after a few weeks.
Pre-mixed Foam Sclerotherapy
60 min
NON-INVASIVE | NON-SURGICAL
Our patients voted this treatment as the best for its fairly simple recovery time.
Foam Sclerotherapy
60 min
NON-INVASIVE | NON-SURGICAL
Our patients voted this treatment as the best for eliminating varicose and spider veins, as well as for treating heaviness and swelling on legs.
Surgery
60 min
INVASIVE | SURGICAL
Our patients voted this treatment as the best for improving vein disease symptoms like leg pain, swelling and itching.
Endovenous Ablation (EVLT)
Also known as: Ablation, Radiofrequency Ablation, Laser Ablation
Best For: Large varicose veins, vein symptoms including discomfort, heaviness, leg fatigue, restless legs, cramps, treating venous insufficiency (the underlying cause of spider veins and varicose veins)
Sandra O
9 weeks ago
I felt no pain and I experienced great results. I was able to wear a dress after several months of feeling bad about my legs. Thank you!
What is Endovenous Ablation?
How Does Endovenous Ablation Work?
Endovenous ablation is a safe and effective treatment option that has replaced procedures such as vein stripping. When performing an ablation, your vein specialist will gently numb the surface of your skin and place a tiny device inside your unhealthy vein. The device is capable of generating heat by producing high intensity sound waves (a technology known as radiofrequency). Your vein doctor then surrounds the vein with a protective numbing fluid, and activates the device, delivering heat to the walls of the vein. The unhealthy vein is sealed closed, and over time is reabsorbed completely by the body. Blood flow is re-routed to healthier veins, so your circulation becomes more efficient.
The entire procedure takes 15-30 minutes and in most vein centers you are wide awake and completely comfortable. There is no downtime; and you can return to work the very same day. Both radiofrequency ablation (also known as RF therapy, RF ablation or ClosureFast) and laser ablation (also known as EVLT) work the same way, the only difference is the way the device generates heat.
Laser uses light to create energy and heat, radiofrequency uses sound waves as described above. A good vein doctor will have reasons to choose one device over the other and will be willing to explain his or her reasons to you in detail. Ablation technology has been around for over ten years, and is an absolute requirement for a good vein clinic. Our doctors have performed hundreds of ablations procedures, and are very comfortable with this top treatment option.
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Patients respond well to:
Radiofrequency ablation is an effective and safe treatment for underlying vein disease.
It is significantly safer and more convenient than vein surgery (vein stripping).
Most insurance carriers will cover this procedure.
There is no down time, with most patients able to return to work the same day. This is one of the most commonly used modalities and has a proven track record of safety and efficacy.
What to know before your Endovenous Ablation
There are multiple different machines and delivery devices on the market which may effect your overall results. Make sure you choose a reputable vein center. Many different vein doctors will have variable levels of experience.
Make sure you choose a provider who has done many of these procedures to ensure that your procedure will be as successful and comfortable as possible.
Note that endovenous ablation requires surrounding the vein with tumescent anesthesia, in an inexperienced provider’s hands, this part of the procedure may be more painful due to the extra number of injections you may require.
Effectiveness
Ease of Insurance Coverage
Difficulty to perform
Overall Safety
Is Endovenous Ablation A Good Option For You?
VenaSeal
Also known as: Vein Glue
Best For: vein symptoms including discomfort, heaviness, leg fatigue, restless legs, cramps, treating venous insufficiency (the underlying cause of spider veins and varicose veins)
Karol G
9 weeks ago
My legs have never felt better, I’m so glad I decided to do this for myslef, and if it were possible to give them 10 stars I would.
What is VenaSeal?
How does VenaSeal Work?
VenaSeal, or Vein Glue, is one of the newest technologies used to treat veins. Your vein doctor will identify the unhealthy vein using an ultrasound machine. Her or she will then gently numb an entry point to gain access into the vein. Once the vein is accessed, a delivery device called a catheter is inserted into the vein. This catheter contains the cyanoacrylate glue.
Your vein doctor will then use an ultrasound machine to identify the tip of the catheter and then slowly inject the cyanoacrylate solution into the vein, causing the vein to shut down and essentially “glue” to itself. The solution seals the vein closed, re-routing blood flow to other healthier veins.
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Why patients respond well to Venaseal
Venaseal does not require tumescent anesthesia so you will not experience any swelling after the procedure.
This procedure may have a significant advantage over endovenous ablation: in veins that have multiple branches the glue will travel into those branches and may close them as well.
What to know before getting Venaseal
Venaseal is only a few years old, so long term treatment effects are unclear. Some patients may develop an allergic reaction to the solution.
The solution becomes a permanent “implant” as it hardens – which may bother some patients psychologically. insurance coverage for this procedure is not widespread Your insurance may not cover this procedure.
Effectiveness
Ease of Insurance Coverage
Difficulty to perform
Overall Safety
Is Venaseal a good option for you?
Sclerotherapy
Also known as: Saline Injections, Salt Solution Injections, STS, vein injections, cosmetic sclerotherapy
Best For: Spider veins, small varicose veins
Alicia K
10 weeks ago
I wanted my legs to be ready for the summer and I am happy to say, they delivered!
What is Sclerotherapy?
How does Sclerotherapy Work?
First, your vein doctor will identify the target vein visually on the surface of the skin or under ultrasound guidance. Your vein doctor will either use a small needle to enter surface spider veins and inject them with a sclerotherapy solution or use the ultrasound to inject veins slightly below the surface of your skin. The solution irritates the inside lining of the vein causing it to collapse.
There are several different medications that can be injected into veins to use as sclerotherapy. The oldest is hypertonic saline (very concentrated salt water). While hypertonic saline is effective, it can be extremely uncomfortable, even painful. Newer medications as used by our vein doctors cause much less discomfort.
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Why patients respond well to Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is a liquid medication so it is able to travel into tortuous veins which cannot be treated with a device like the catheter required in vein ablation. Sclerotherapy is a quick, convenient, and effective way to treat spider veins on the surface of the skin. In the right hands, this procedure is generally safer and more effective than laser treatment for spider veins.
Most effective treatment for spider veins, no down-time.
What to know before receiving Sclerotherapy
There are many different types of sclerotherapy available on the market. These solutions each have their own advantages and disadvantages, as well as pricing. Different clinics use different medications, so results may vary.
In addition, many of the medications need to be diluted (mixed with sterile water) to reach the proper dose. If this is not done properly in a certified vein center, the medication dosage may be incorrect.
Use of an inferior medication or incorrect dose can lead to discomfort as well as discoloration of your skin. If sclerotherapy is injected into the wrong location (like an artery) it can cause necrosis of the skin. It’s important to choose a Board Certified Vein Doctor to perform sclerotherapy.
Effectiveness
Ease of Insurance Coverage
Difficulty to perform
Overall Safety
Is sclerotherapy a good option for you?
Foam Sclerotherapy
Also known as: Vein Injections, Foam Sclerotherapy
Best For: Large varicose veins, small varicose veins
Joseph S
3 weeks ago
The pain and heaviness on my legs was starting to become unbearable, my only regret is not getting this vein treatment sooner. I feel so much better now, with the pain gone I’m a whole new person.
What is Foam Sclerotherapy?
The Procedure:
Similar to liquid sclerotherapy, your vein doctor will identify the vein visually on the surface of the skin or with the help of ultrasound technology. Once identified, your vein doctor will enter the vein and prepare to inject the sclerotherapy solution. To make sure the foam is fresh, the vein doctor will prepare the solution immediately before injecting it by mixing air and medication rapidly between two syringes.
Then, once injected, your physician will monitor the foam under ultrasound guidance as it travels through your veins.
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Why patients respond well to Foam Sclerotherapy:
Foam sclerotherapy is effective in treating veins that are tortuous or more difficult to access with conventional therapy.
Foam sclerotherapy is an excellent choice for recurrent vein disease.
What to know before booking Foam Sclerotherapy treatment:
Foam sclerotherapy is an excellent choice for recurrent vein disease.
Varicose veins can have connections to deeper veins within your legs called perforating veins, and it is critical that no medication enters these perforating veins and travels to the deep veins.
An experienced physician will carefully assess for the presence of these connecting veins prior to injecting foam sclerotherapy.
Effectiveness
Ease of Insurance Coverage
Difficulty to perform
Overall Safety
Is foam sclerotherapy a good option for me?
Pre-mixed Foam Sclerotherapy
Also known as: foam sclerotherapy
Best For: Large Varicose veins, vein symptoms including discomfort, heaviness, leg fatigue, restless legs, cramps, treating venous insufficiency (the underlying cause of spider veins and varicose veins)
Gina C
9 weeks ago
I had the best care anyone could ask for. Needing work on several veins, I had many appointments and each time the doctors and the staff were both personal and professional. As I am finishing my last few follow-up appointments, I am very pleased with the results and my legs look and feel much better. Thank you!
What is Pre-mixed foam sclerotherapy?
How is Pre-mixed foam sclerotherpy performed?
Similar to regular foam sclerotherapy, your vein doctor will identify the vein visually on the surface of the skin or with the help of ultrasound technology. Once identified, your vein doctor will either use a small needle to enter surface veins and inject them with a sclerotherapy solution or use ultrasound guidances to inject those veins slightly below the surface of your skin.
The difference between this procedure and regular foam sclerotherapy however, is that instead of agitating the solution with air, the sclerotherapy solution comes “pre-made” in a canister as described above.
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Why patients respond well to Pre-mixed foam sclerotherapy:
Pre-mixed foam is safe and extremely effective. It’s an excellent option for recurrent vein disease.
Pre-mixed foam can be used instead of surgery to treat large varicose veins when performed by an experienced provider.
What to know before booking Pre-mixed foam sclerotherapy vein treatment:
Pre-mixed foam is powerful, so should always be performed by an extremely experienced provider.
In addition, pre-mixed foam is not covered by all insurance and is very expensive without insurance coverage.
Effectiveness
Ease of Insurance Coverage
Difficulty to perform
Overall Safety
Is Pre-mixed foam sclerotherapy a good option for me?
ClariVein
Also known as: Mechanochemical Ablation
Best For: Vein symptoms including discomfort, heaviness, leg fatigue, restless legs, cramps, treating venous insufficiency (the underlying cause of spider veins and varicose veins)
Andrea R
2 weeks ago
I am so pleased and excited about my results! All those ugly veins and lumps are gone.
What is ClariVein?
How is Clarivein Performed?
Your vein doctor will prep the area with a cleaning solution. The unhealthy vein is then identified using an ultrasound. The vein doctor will then gently numb an entry point to gain access to the vein. Once the vein is accessed, a delivery device called a catheter is inserted into the vein.
This catheter is a specially made catheter that is able to rotate and deliberately cause mechanical damage while delivering a sclerotherapy solution. The catheter is deployed along the entire length of the vein to ensure complete treatment.
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Why patients respond well to ClariVein:
Clarivein does not leave a permanent implant like venaseal, and does not require tumescent anesthesia like endovenous ablation.
The catheter is relatively small and can be used to treat tortuous veins.
What to know before booking ClariVein treatment:
Clarivein is not covered by the majority of insurance providers.
In addition, there have been some reports of complications with clarivein, including difficulty travelling past a venous valve and causing patient discomfort in the process.
Effectiveness
Ease of Insurance Coverage
Recovery Time
Overall Safety
Is ClariVein right for me?
Traditional Vein Surgery
Also known as: phlebectomy, vein stripping, vein removal
Best For: Very large varicose veins
What is Vein Stripping?
How is vein stripping performed?
After the unhealthy vein is identified under ultrasound, the patient is taken to the operating room under anesthesia. The vein doctor will then perform a cut down, or cutting into the skin overlying the diseased vein.
Once the diseased vein is identified visually, the surgeon then uses various surgical instruments to enter and remove the vein. The most common method involves using a hook to forcibly pull the vein out of the body.
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Why patients respond well to Vein Stripping:
For very tortuous or large veins, surgery may be the best option
Remains the best option in limited scenarios
What to stay aware before receiving Vein Stripping:
There are many non-invasive or minimally-invasive procedures that are safer and more efficacious than surgery with a lower rate of complications.
Surgery is no longer considered first-line treatment.
Effectiveness
Ease of Insurance Coverage
Difficulty to perform
Overall Safety
Is vein surgery right for me?
This article is a contribution from our expert vein specialist Dr. Michael Nguyen.
So How Do You Know Which Vein Treatment Option is Best for You?
A qualified vein doctor at a reputable vein center can help you decide which treatment is best for you, or come up with a customized treatment plan that uses several technologies. Here are five things to look for at a top vein clinic:
The vein doctor actually listens to you! It seems obvious, but in today’s busy world your physician might run in and out the door before you finish explaining your symptoms. At our vein centers, we make sure we understand your goals and expectations before we even start to formulate a treatment plan. You should be provided with a thorough explanation and all your questions should be answered.
The vein center performs an ultrasound to take a look at what is going on under your skin. Even if you come in for cosmetic issues (spider veins only), a top vein dr evaluates the veins within the leg to find out what is causing the spider veins. Treating veins on the surface without addressing an underlying issue can be like repainting a wall without fixing a leaky pipe inside the wall – wasted effort!
The vein specialist knows how to use an ultrasound: In order to perform newer vein procedures with minimally invasive technology, your vein doctor should know how to use an ultrasound. Many doctors rely on assistants to help them; our physicians are all fully trained experts at ultrasound-guided technology.
The Vein Center is Accredited: The IAC, or intersocietal accreditation commission, recognizes top performing vein centers that meet the highest quality standards. All of our vein clinics are IAC certified with fully trained doctors, technicians and the best equipment.
Your Vein Treatment Plan is customized for you: Vein Treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. You should feel like your vein specialist took time to come up with a plan that matches your legs. Our physicians come up with tailored treatment plans that use one, two, or even three of the top technologies available, and we explain each treatment plan to every patient so you know exactly what to expect.
Find your most convenient VTC clinic location
If you need spider vein treatment or varicose vein treatment, or if you are experiencing chronic leg discomfort and wondering if your circulation is the problem, we are here to help. Our gold-standard accredited vein centers, staffed by Ivy League trained vein specialists, are located in New York, New Jersey, California and Texas. Our vein doctors will help you choose the best vein treatment for your unique individual needs.
What is the Best Vein Treatment for You? A Comprehensive Ranking of Spider Vein and Varicose Vein Treatment Options