How to Treat Spider Veins Before Swimsuit Season
Swimsuit season will be here before you know it, and we want you to look and feel your best, though it may be hard if you are suffering from spider veins. The dermatologists at Dermatology & Mohs Surgery Institute have treatment tips to share to get rid of those spider veins for good and to help boost your confidence again as we head into summer.
How to Identify and Treat Spider Veins
What Are Spider Veins?
If you have been able to visibly see blue, purple, or red veins on the surface of your legs or face, you are experiencing spider veins. They don’t hurt, but most people do not like the way they look and how visible they are. Spider veins are caused by valves inside our veins not working properly. When a vein doesn’t work properly, blood can pool inside it and cause it to bulge, making the vein visible to the human eye. Spider veins are hard to prevent because so many different things can cause them, but it is recommended to stay fit and healthy to help them from appearing. Spider veins can be caused by genetics, pregnancy, hormones, or sun damage. It is also more likely to occur after your 40s, in women and in those who are overweight. When spider veins become noticeable, a dermatologist can help you with treatment options.
Spider Vein Treatments
Spider veins are not painful, but most who have them removed or want treatment options want them for cosmetic reasons. Treatments can help to fade the spider veins or have them completely removed. The first option is to use compression stockings. Compression stockings place pressure on the veins in the lower legs to help improve blood flow. If you experience swollen legs from spider veins, it helps keep the swelling down too.
Another option that dermatologists perform is sclerotherapy. During sclerotherapy, an irritant is injected directly into the spider veins. It helps to shrink the veins and reduce swelling in the legs. Eventually, the spider veins fade or disappear. Multiple treatments will be needed to see complete results. Compression stockings are often needed to be worn briefly after treatment as well. A less invasive option than sclerotherapy is laser treatment. The dermatologist uses a laser to clot and dry up the vein.
Lastly, endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) is more invasive than regular laser therapy and begins with a small incision being made into the spider veins. Next, a catheter with a laser at the end is inserted into the vein. The laser heats the walls of the vein and causes blood to stop flowing through it. Eventually, the vein shrinks and fades from blood not flowing through a faulty vein. EVLT takes just one hour and requires no downtime.
The quicker you begin trying different treatments, the more likely you are to find something that works for you. You can begin by trying compression stockings and work your way up to a different treatment if the stockings are not successful in achieving a reduced appearance of the veins.
Beginning these treatment options now can help your veins be faded or gone by the time summer gets here! If you are in Bloomington, Illinois, or the surrounding areas, complete this form to get in touch with a dermatologist at Dermatology & Mohs Surgery Institute.