SPIDER VEIN TREATMENT
Spider veins are clusters of fine red, blue, or purple blood vessels that are visible just beneath the surface of the skin. True to their name, they look like spider webs, tree branches, or thin river tributaries. Unfortunately, they make their home on very visible real estate—usually the legs and face.
Incredibly common, spider veins affect 50% of people over the age of fifty so if you have them, you’re not alone. While they rarely cause symptoms and aren’t considered medically dangerous, spider veins are unsightly nuisances that carry some pretty hefty cosmetic impact.
Sclerotherapy for Leg Spider Veins
Available since the 1930s, sclerotherapy injections are the most common treatment option for spider veins in legs and are extremely safe and effective when done by a vein specialist like ours. During this procedure, a safe solution is injected directly into the veins. This damages the inner lining of the vein creating a clot, which blocks blood circulation to the vein beyond. Treated veins collapse and are then reabsorbed naturally by the body. Sclerotherapy is never used on the face—it is for the legs only.
Sclerotherapy is an in-office procedure that does not require anesthesia or downtime. You may be asked to wear compression stockings to decrease swelling and to aid healing. Multiple treatments are typically necessary.
Sclerotherapy is not appropriate during pregnancy because a foreign substance is injected into the body.
What causes spider veins?
• Genetics
• Age
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Long periods of standing
• Immobility
• Sun exposure
• Hormonal changes
• Injuries
• Rosacea
• Can signify blood backing up deeply within the body
Candela VBeam Laser Treatment for the Face
Tired of trying to cover up facial spider veins with makeup? The worst, right? Designed for delicate skin, the VBeam is typically used to treat spider veins on the face. It can also be used on very fine, delicate veins on the legs and around the ankles where the skin is more sensitive and not amenable to sclerotherapy.
The VBeam generates laser beams with specific wavelengths that target the blood. Without damaging its surface layer, the laser light travels through the skin where it can zap away those pesky vessels! How? The laser causes the vessels to shatter. Then, the debris is absorbed by the body.
The VBeam cannot be used on darker skin tones (for the face or the legs) because the melanin in darker skin picks up the laser light and could burn or scar the skin. A consultation can determine how best to treat you and your individual skin type. Lasers can safely be used in pregnancy because they emit light energy—there is no radiation. However, many pregnant women prefer to wait until after they deliver to do any procedures.
Like sclerotherapy, this is an in-office procedure that does not require anesthesia or downtime. Multiple treatment sessions may be necessary.
What does spider vein treatment cost?
The cost is variable. It could be from $225 for one solitary, larger spider vein or it could be $1500 if the entire face is treated. Most people focus on localized areas, which typically cost between $550-$650 per treatment. A consultation is necessary to determine what's required to achieve your personal goals.
Please contact us to schedule an appointment in our Stamford, CT office:
CALL (203) 323-5660