Spider veins and varicose veins can cause embarrassment, especially when wearing shorts and bathing suits.

The reddish-purple lines on your legs are not unhealthy, but they can certainly cause discomfort and be a cosmetic nuisance. Many women work hard to get their legs in shape but are embarrassed to show their legs because of unwanted veins.

The veins are not "broken" but are actually dilated vessels. Now we can obliterate these networks with the simple injection of a sclerosing solution. The chance for a greatly improved appearance is greater than 90 percent.

What actually causes these veins to stretch is not completely understood. They occur despite weight control, diet and exercise. They become more numerous with age, but can occur even in the teens. Hormonal changes, particularly those caused by pregnancy and heredity, seem to be factors leading to the development of spider and varicose veins. Some even arise after trauma. They can occur on the face and may be related to excessive sun exposure. I know of no reliable means of prevention. Wearing support hose may help in some individuals. Weight control and low impact exercise may also help

Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is one of the most successful therapies available for removing these veins. The procedure involves injecting a solution through a very tiny needle into the veins. This causes irritation and inflammation inside the vessel and leads to closure of the vessel. With no blood flowing, the veins become invisible and are replaced by scar tissue. The veins fade in two to three weeks.

These vessels are not needed for your circulation. They are actually unnecessary detours that can safely be destroyed. Depending on its size, a vessel may need to be injected more than once (usually with one month between treatments). Numerous vessels can be treated in one session.

There are several different solutions available. Saline (salt water), aethoxysclerol, and soltradecol are the safest and most popular.

If you have large varicose veins and small spider veins, it may be necessary to treat the larger veins first. This will vary from person to person. If there are very large veins near the groin, a surgical procedure called a ligation may be necessary.

Non-invasive vascular studies are occasionally done in patients with extensive varicose veins to help plan the best overall treatment.

Most patients require 3-5 sessions to achieve the desired cosmetic improvement. Some patients will require periodic treatments every year or two. A treated vein does not actually recur, but new veins can continue to develop in predisposed individuals.

The procedure can be slightly painful for a moment. As the saline is injected, it will usually sting or burn briefly, and you may feel muscle cramps. This discomfort goes away almost immediately. Aethoxysclerol and soltradecol treatment is almost painless.

Surgical support hose should be worn after treatment for three to seven days. For large veins (one-eighth inch or longer), support hose will need to be worn for a longer period of time. Hose can be purchased at some pharmacies, surgical supply stores and at this office.

Side effects occasionally occur. They are rarely more than a short-term nuisance. They will be discussed with you at your first consultation.

Photoderm VL/Vasculite
Photoderm light or laser therapy can be use to treat the very tiny thread-like veins that may remain after sclerotherapy as well as facial veins. Laser therapy can even be a primary treatment if your veins are very small.

At Ginsburg Dermatology Center, we primarily use a therapy called Vasculite, a laser that delivers intensive energy to the veins. By selecting parameters based on vessel size and your skin type, we can customize treatments specifically for you. Photodoerm is light source similar to a laser that we use to target small facial veins. After Photoderm VL, Vasculite or sclerotherapy treatments, you may resume normal activities immediately. Walking is encouraged, although I recommend avoiding high impact activities for several days. Sun avoidance is necessary following the Photoderm VL treatment.

If you need further information we can schedule a pre-treatment consultation, or you may schedule an appointment for treatment.