What are spider veins?
As you get older you may start to notice little blue or purple veins running up your legs or face. Just as the name suggests, spider veins may even look a little like the thin, delicate webbing left by a spider. While these veins aren’t a cause for concern, we also know that they may make you feel self-conscious. If you’re looking for a way to get rid of your spider veins, the team at Northeast Houston Vein Center can help.
What causes spider veins?
Spider veins appear when the veins don’t work properly anymore, causing blood to flow backward through the veins. If you notice spider veins on your face, they are often caused by blood vessels that have burst due to trauma or sun damage.
Many people confuse spider veins with varicose veins, but they are different. Spider veins are typically much smaller and unlike varicose veins, won’t cause pain or discomfort, or bulge out from the skin. You may be more prone to spider veins if,
- You are pregnant
- You have a family history of spider veins
- You are female
- You are an older adult
- You are overweight
- You are taking hormonal birth control or undergoing hormone replacement therapy
- You sit or stand for long periods of time throughout the day
How are spider veins treated?
If you have spider veins in your legs, your doctor may recommend wearing compression socks, which can improve blood flow through the veins. These socks can also prevent the formation of new spider veins.
Of course, if you are looking to get rid of the spider veins you currently have, the team at Northeast Houston Vein Center has treatment options. The two most common and popular ways to treat spider veins are sclerotherapy and a unique system called VeinGogh.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure that requires our vein doctors to inject a special solution into the veins to stop blood from flowing through the veins. This will cause the veins to shrink and eventually collapse and disappear. Depending on the severity of your spider veins, you may require several sclerotherapy sessions in order to achieve optimal results.
VeinGogh
Similar to sclerotherapy, our VeinGogh system involves injecting the dysfunctional veins to quickly and effectively destroy them. Results appear fairly quickly and the treatment itself only takes about 20-25 minutes. This procedure does not require anesthesia or downtime, and most patients will only require a single treatment session.
If you are dealing with unsightly spider veins and want to discuss your treatment options, call Northeast Houston Vein Center at (281) 446-4638 to schedule a consultation.
