Spider veins and varicose veins are different issues and shouldn’t be confused. Spider veins are blood vessels that have stretched to form a branching, web-like pattern on areas of the skin. They are most commonly found on the lower legs or thighs, although they can also form on the face.
Along with being physically different from varicose veins, spider veins are treated differently, too. The most popular treatments for spider veins in North Miami Beach are sclerotherapy and laser therapy.
The most popular ways to treat spider veins are minimally invasive, relatively quick, and require little to no recovery time.
Sclerotherapy is a procedure that injects a chemical (called a “sclerosing solution”) into the affected blood vessels with a needle. The solution causes these veins to shrink and disappear. Once blood flow is cut off, the body naturally redirects the blood to healthy vessels.
Sclerotherapy is a popular treatment for spider veins because very little is required from the patient. It’s almost painless and there’s no recovery time. This treatment is best for medium-sized vessels with a diameter of over three millimeters.
For small spider veins, especially those in delicate areas such as the face or ankles, laser therapy is usually preferred over sclerotherapy, especially for veins between one and three millimeters in diameter.
Laser therapy uses the energy from heat to destroy the affected veins. The light is passed over the area and no incisions or needles are involved. However, laser therapy can cause side effects such as blisters, bruises, or reddened skin, but these will heal on their own eventually.
Not everyone is a good candidate for spider vein treatment, and those who are good candidates may be best suited for one kind of procedure over another.
Only a doctor can determine a person’s candidacy and which treatment is the best to use for their spider veins. In addition, the patient needs to maintain reasonable expectations about what their chosen treatment can do. For instance, sometimes it takes more than one treatment for spider veins to disappear completely. Also, patients need to be prepared to encounter side effects after they have their chosen procedure.
In general, good candidates for spider vein treatment will not be pregnant and will have no history of blood clots or blood clot formation.
Spider veins are a superficial problem that do not cause any symptoms. However, for many people, they are unsightly, embarrassing, or lower their self-confidence. As a result, people with noticeable spider veins often seek treatment to get rid of them. The most popular treatments do so with little discomfort and minimal side-effects, making them a good option for most people with spider veins.
