When it comes to signs of aging, fine lines and wrinkles often receive the most attention. However, you might also notice spider veins, tiny red, blue, or purple lines that spread across your skin like a delicate web. If you’ve ever looked down at your legs and thought, “Where did those come from?” you’re not alone.
Although these veins, which typically appear on the legs or face, aren’t usually dangerous, they may be frustrating or hurt one’s confidence. Premier Med Group offers vein treatment in Pennsylvania and New Jersey that can make them disappear.
What Are Spider Veins?
Spider veins, or telangiectasias, affect an estimated 50% to 80% of adults, typically appearing between the ages of 30 and 50.
Most often found on the legs, they are simply thin blood vessels that sit close to the surface of your skin. For some people, they also appear on the face, where the skin is thinner and more delicate. It’s not hard to see why they’re called spider veins, given the web-like patterns they create.
Just because they’re typically harmless, however, doesn’t mean you have to live with them. Most people choose to treat them for cosmetic reasons.
That said, spider veins can be an early sign of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), which affects up to 35% of adults. With CVI, your veins don’t circulate blood back into the heart effectively, which can lead to complications. If you have spider veins and other risk factors for CVI, discuss with your healthcare provider how to manage the condition.
What Causes Spider Veins on Legs?
Spider vein causes are often a mix of factors, including the following.
- Genetics. If your mother or grandmother had spider veins or varicose veins, the odds are you will get them, too.
- Age. Veins lose elasticity as you get older, making it easier for blood to pool and create visible veins.
- Gender. The Office of Women’s Health reports that women are twice as likely to get spider veins as men.
- Hormones. Changes from pregnancy, menopause, or even birth control pills can increase the risk.
- Standing or sitting for long periods. If your job keeps you on your feet or glued to a chair all day, circulation can slow down, leading to spider veins.
- Obesity. Extra weight weakens veins over time.
- Sun exposure. Too much sun can damage tiny blood vessels under your skin.
Whatever the reason for the spider veins, a doctor can provide vein treatment in New Jersey to repair them and improve the appearance of your skin.
Spider Veins vs. Varicose Veins? Learn the Difference From an Expert in Vein Treatment in Pennsylvania
It’s easy to confuse spider veins with varicose veins, but they’re not the same. As discussed, spider veins are small, closer to the surface, and usually painless.
Varicose veins are larger, bulging veins that can twist and rope under the skin. They often cause more discomfort, such as aching, throbbing, or swelling, and can lead to more serious health problems like blood clots.
Either way, your circulation is the common denominator, and that’s worth checking out with a vein specialist.
Options for Vein Treatment in New Jersey
If you don’t like the look of your spider veins, your doctor has several removal options to make them less noticeable.
Sclerotherapy
The American Academy of Dermatology Association notes that sclerotherapy is the most common treatment for spider veins on legs. The treatment includes injecting a solution directly into the vein, which causes it to close and fade over time. It’s quick, fading the veins within three to six weeks, and requires little to no downtime.
Laser Therapy
For smaller spider veins, especially on the face, laser treatments can target and close off damaged veins without needles. The procedure feels like a rubber band snap, and most people tolerate it without any trouble.
Radiofrequency or Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT)
These procedures involve inserting the laser device directly into the vein, which heats it until it collapses and closes. Most people need multiple treatments, and it can take up to a year for the vein to disappear.
Lifestyle Guidance
Doctors recommend exercise, weight management, compression stockings, or even adjusting your daily habits to prevent new spider veins from forming.
Can You Prevent Spider Veins?
While you can’t always stop spider veins completely, you can lower your risk with some simple changes. Staying active to maintain a healthy weight and avoiding prolonged periods of sitting or standing can help reduce pressure on your veins. Don’t forget to slather on the sunscreen, either.
Will these changes magically erase the veins you already have? No. But they will help with spider vein prevention.
Let Premier Med Group Treat the Spider Veins on Your Legs
Whether you’re dealing with mild spider veins or more advanced vein issues, Premier Med Group’s board-certified doctors have the experience and state-of-the-art technology to address your concerns so you feel more confident. From sclerotherapy for eliminating spider veins to laser therapy for varicose veins, we’re your go-to vein specialist treatment team.
Schedule a consultation with Premier Med Group today at (908) 904-1900 to explore safe and effective vein treatment from experienced and caring professionals who have only your comfort and well-being in mind. Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.
FAQs About Spider Veins
Learn more about vein-related concerns from our specialists below.
Why Do Spider Veins Most Often Appear on Legs?
The legs carry the most pressure from standing and walking, which makes them the most common place for spider veins to form.
What’s the Difference Between Varicose and Spider Veins?
Spider veins are smaller and usually painless, while varicose veins are larger, bulging, and can cause discomfort, like aching or swelling, requiring more intensive treatment.
Are Spider Vein Removal Options Permanent?
Treatments like sclerotherapy and laser therapy can zap them away, but new spider veins can pop up elsewhere later on.
