Don’t Be Stuck with Unwanted Spider Veins
Have you noticed unsightly and prominent veins on your skin? Spider veins look similar to tree branches in shape and can be either red, purple, or blue in color based on severity. Individuals over the age of 45 to 50 are most likely to be afflicted with these dilated veins.
Spider veins are most prevalent on the legs, and they typically arise with their more sinister counterparts, varicose veins. Varicose veins are normally larger, as they are swollen veins filled with pooled blood. These veins can be fairly normal, but they are also severely unappealing.
Spider veins are mostly harmless, but they could be symptoms of poor blood circulation and varicose vein formation. They decrease the overall aesthetic of the affected area, which can diminish a person’s self-confidence. In rare cases, spider veins have the potential to be harmful.
The Cause of Spider Veins
People who work jobs that involve a lot of standing such as nurses, factory workers, teachers, and shopkeepers are more likely to develop spider veins than other people. This is due to the extra pressure they exert on their leg muscles. Spider veins also arise due to damaged or weak valves in your veins. When your valves do not allow blood to leave the veins, the blood will back up, causing your veins to swell up. This could potentially lead to varicose veins. Individuals with a history of blood clots are also susceptible to spider veins.
Genetics is often one of the best predictors of spider veins. If your parents had or have them, you are very likely to see spider veins crop up now or in the future. Chronological aging also typically leads to spider veins, and this can be a natural sign of aging. Other common symptoms include regular consumption of contraceptive pills, pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy, sun exposure (for people with low melanin levels), and obesity, among other factors.
In short, if the pressure in an individual’s veins increases at an above average rate, they are more susceptible to spider veins.
Sclerotherapy for Treatment of Spider Veins
Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution into the afflicted vein, causing it to collapse and improving blood flow. The solution is typically a concentrated saline solution. This is the most common treatment option. Sclerotherapy can be used to rectify both varicose and spider veins.
The procedure normally takes around fifteen to thirty minutes to be completed. During the procedure, the saline solution is injected into the veins using a very fine needle. Mild discomfort for a couple of minutes is common, especially when the bigger veins are targeted. You may need multiple sessions to treat and remove all the veins depending on your requirements and health condition.
Schedule Your Consultation
For treatment of your spider veins, it’s vital that you visit a skilled and experienced medical professional. Doctors Roger Friedman, Douglas Forman, and Kathy Huang are board-certified plastic surgeons with years of experience. To arrange your consultation, contact our office.
