What are Spider Veins?

Spider veins develop when blood begins to pool within small veins close to the skin due to damaged or weakened valves. These valve’s job is to keep blood flowing in the right direction, but when they fail, the vein begins to dilate and become visible through the skin, forming what we call spider veins. Spider veins are most commonly found on the legs, and although they affect both sexes, they are found most frequently in women. While the legs are the most common area patients experience spider veins, they may also appear on the cheeks and nose. These facial spider veins occur as a result of aging and sun exposure.

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Evaluation of Spider Veins

To the untrained eye, spider veins can all look the same. For the majority of patients, spider veins are merely a cosmetic issue. However, for some, the spider veins are an early indicator of an underlying circulation issue called Venous Insufficiency. In these cases, spider veins are only the tip of the iceberg. Venous insufficiency can lead to issues such as leg pain, swelling, fatigue, itchy skin, bulging varicose veins, and spider veins. If a patient with spider veins associated with venous insufficiency is not correctly diagnosed, and undergoes treatment for cosmetic spider veins, the issues will persist, and the spider veins will come back with the potential for complications.

Correctly diagnosing the cause of spider veins is an extremely important task, and can be difficult even for medical professionals. With a combined 45 years of experience, the team at Siragusa Vein and Laser has mastered the process of identifying and treating these different types of spider veins. Sometimes, spider veins develop as a result of a “feeder vein” not working properly. These “feeder veins” are often underneath the skin and impossible to see with the naked eye, however if they are not addressed at the time of treatment, there is a high chance the spider veins will come back. We utilize a state-of-the-art technology called a VeinViewer™, which allows us to accurately identify any “feeder veins” associated with the spider veins being treated. Our experience and utilization of industry leading technology and practices results in our patients receiving the best possible treatment and a relaxing experience, while knowing that their legs are in great hands.

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We all want to be confident in our appearance, and liking the way our legs look plays a large role in that. Wearing a bathing suit, shorts, or a dress can be a source of embarrassment for those with unsightly veins. Spider veins affect 50% of Americans and are one of the most common reasons people feel insecure about the appearance of their legs. After treating thousands of patients with spider veins, Dr. Siragusa has perfected the techniques to quickly and painlessly rid patients of their unsightly spider veins. It’s time to stop hiding your legs and get back to living your life and loving your legs.

Spider Veins Treatment And What To Expect

Once a patient has been determined to be a good candidate for treatment, spider veins are treated with a quick and painless procedure known as sclerotherapy. This is a fifteen-minute procedure, which is performed by injecting a small amount of medication into the spider vein, causing it to shrink and collapse. As the vein shrinks, the blood that has been pooling in the spider vein is forced into healthy veins. The treated vein will then begin to heal and then naturally turn into collagen that is absorbed into the body. Patients generally require two of these sclerotherapy treatments to completely clear affected areas and can return to work or daily activity immediately following treatment.

Take The First Step

If you are ready to stop hiding your legs and dealing with the embarrassment of spider veins, let Dr. Siragusa and his team get you back to loving your legs and living your life.