Found in the superficial layers of the skin, spider veins are skinny, threadlike veins that often appear on the legs and feet. These tiny veins can appear red, blue or purple in color, and rarely cause pain or present any medical problems.
Family history, hormones and pregnancy may play a role in the development of spider veins. A milder type of varicose vein, spider veins tend to appear more often in women than men. While they do not require medical therapy, spider veins can be cosmetically treated for those patients who find them visually unappealing.
At NorthShore, we offer a full range of safe and highly effective treatment options for the elimination of unwanted spider veins. Depending on the number, size and location of your spider veins, our experts may recommend one of several in-office procedures, including:
- Sclerotherapy — This technique involves the injection of an FDA-approved medication directly into the affected veins. The solution irritates the interior walls of the vessel. This process works by closing off the spider vein, causing it to eventually shrink and disappear over a period of 4 to 8 weeks. Typically, several sclerotherapy sessions are required for the best results and it may take several months for improvement to be seen.
- Laser Vein Therapy — An advanced Cutera® laser is used to deliver light energy to the affected veins. Coagulating the blood within the vein, the process eventually breaks down the blood vessels of the spider veins until they disappear over a period of 2 to 6 weeks. The best outcomes are often achieved after one or two treatments, although it may require several months for final results to become noticeable.
For More Information
Please call 847.663.8050 for more information on spider veins or to schedule an appointment with one of our vascular specialists.