Spider Veins and their Treatment

Spider veins are small veins in the superficial skin that frequently run in families (especially in women). The treatment of these veins is almost entirely cosmetic as these smaller cousins of true varicose veins virtually never cause pain. Most physicians use sclerotherapy to treat them. This involves the injection of the veins using a very small needle with a solution that encourages them to close and heal. The response is variable dependent upon the number that close and the number that re-open. Several weeks to months should be allowed to ellapse between treatments to gauge response and the sun should be avoided while bruising is present in the areas treated. The veins can grow back, but tend to do so in slightly different locations if they do. Notice in the photo series below how the skin is slightly darkened in areas where veins were present prior to injection. These areas can persist especially if sunlight is not avoided while this hyperpigmentation is present. Some of this pigmentation can remain even after treatment, but most fades with time.

PRIOR TO TREATMENT	AFTER 1 TREATMENT - 6 WEEKS
AFTER 2 TREATMENTS - 4 MONTHS	AFTER 3 TREATMENTS - 5 MONTHS

There are other physicians that treat spider veins with lasers however this is more expensive than sclerotherapy. The response in variable.

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Please note that this information (as well as that on all my pages) is offered freely to individuals considering cosmetic surgery. No rights are granted and it is not to be reprinted or copied without the author's prior written consent. Understand that some of the information presented may be a matter of professional opinion. Although efforts have been made to assure accuracy, no guarantees are expressed or implied.

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