Spider Veins

Spider veins, also known as telangiectasias, are small, thin blood vessels visible beneath the skin. They appear most commonly on the face and legs, and may look like a series of lines, tree branches or spider webs. Spider veins are caused by a variety of factors, including heredity, pregnancy and weight gain. Some people experience painful symptoms such as aching, burning, swelling and cramping from spider veins, while others are simply bothered by their appearance.

Treatment for spider veins can be done through traditional sclerotherapy or through more advanced and minimally invasive laser procedures. Laser treatment for spider veins offers patients:

• Fewer side effects
• Less trauma
• Shorter treatment time
• Shorter recovery time
• Minimal downtime

There are several different types of laser treatment available, including endovenous laser treatment, or EVLT, which treats large veins by passing a laser fiber through a catheter directly into the vein. Veins just under the surface of the skin can be treated with a simpler laser procedure over the course of several treatment sessions. After performing a physical examination and going over a patient’s medical history and general health, the doctor will decide which procedure is best for each individual patient.