What is the Difference Between Varicose Veins and Spider Veins?
Varicose veins are larger than spider veins and often have a more raised, rope-like appearance. While both often cause cosmetic concerns, varicose veins in the legs can cause symptoms and may require treatment for health reasons. Spider veins form from high pressure inside the capillaries, the smallest blood vessels in the body. This high pressure forces the thin vessel walls to stretch.
What Treatments are Available for Spider Veins?
Dr. Schwartz will select the treatment or combination of treatments most suitable for your spider veins. The size of your spider veins often helps decide which treatment methods to use since some strategies will not work well on the tiniest of spider veins.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy uses an FDA-approved solution injected into problem veins. The solution irritates and scars the vein’s walls, causing them to collapse. The body will eliminate the treated veins over time. Sclerotherapy is considered the gold standard of spider vein treatment but cannot be used on tiny spider veins.
Laser Treatments
Topical laser treatment can target the pigments in spider veins to help eliminate them without penetrating or damaging the skin. The pigment molecules absorb the laser energy and break apart so the body can eliminate them. This treatment is a complementary treatment to sclerotherapy, allowing Dr. Schwartz to target the tiniest spider veins that sclerotherapy can not effectively treat.
VeinGogh
The VeinGogh treatment excels in areas where sclerotherapy cannot always be used, as many facial/nose veins are too tiny to be treated with sclerotherapy injections or standard laser treatments, which are, generally, both better suited to treat larger spider veins on the legs. The VeinGogh treatment provides a superior solution for even the tiniest spider veins on the nose, cheeks, and around the eyes. Dr. Schwartz inserts a fiber-thin needle under the skin next to the problem vein, where it emits pulses of energy that damage and collapse the vein wall. The highly targeted micropulse does not harm the surrounding skin and causes no discomfort.
VeinGogh delivers outstanding results using proprietary Microburst Technology™, which creates effective, controllable heating of dermal vasculature, without significant discomfort or damage to the surrounding tissue.
What Causes Spider Veins?
Heredity plays a substantial role in spider veins and varicose veins. Other causes of spider veins include hormonal changes, obesity, changes in blood flow due to pregnancy, and long periods of sitting or standing. On some occasions, spider veins, especially in clusters around the ankles, suggest that you should see a vein specialist for a complete diagnostic screening.
