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Leg & spider veins
Sclerotherapy for red, purple and blue spider veins on the legs and body.
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No referral needed · at our clinic
Many men and women have spider veins. They can be red, purple or even blue, and can appear anywhere on the body, including the face, neck, chest and legs.
Spider veins are small, dilated blood vessels that typically appear on the legs, face, neck and chest. They come in various patterns: short, unconnected lines, a connected “sunburst” pattern, or a spider web that can cover quite a large area. They tend to appear more often in women than men.
TreatmentNon-surgical
DowntimeLittle
Treated veins fadeOver a few weeks
What causes spider veins?
The exact cause of spider veins is still somewhat unknown, and they may be hereditary for you. Most cases are the result of genetics and/or aging, but known causes also include pregnancy, hormonal changes, weight gain, lack of exercise, prolonged periods of sitting or standing, sun damage and some skin diseases.
On the legs, spider veins can be due to the type of work you do, such as long hours of sitting or standing. Pregnancy and obesity in women are also known causes. On the face, they may involve lifestyle choices such as drinking alcohol or excessive sun exposure causing sun damage.
As people age, these veins may multiply and become hard to cover up with makeup or clothes, which can be both embarrassing and frustrating, and can affect self-esteem. Most of these veins are not essential, and if you regard them as unattractive, you may benefit from their treatment.
Spider veins can also be the symptom of a larger problem of varicose veins. In that case, the larger varicose vein is treated as well as the small spider veins.
Our spider vein treatments
Spider vein treatments at Rao Dermatology are quick, non-surgical and have little downtime. These non-invasive treatments can reduce or remove spider veins, ease the discomfort associated with this condition, and help with any self-consciousness you may feel about their appearance on your face or legs. We offer both sclerotherapy and laser treatment.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is an injection that causes spider veins to fade or disappear altogether. There is a 50 to 90% chance that it will greatly improve the appearance of the treated area. The sclerosing agent is dextrose and saline. The solution irritates the lining of the vessel, causing it to swell and stick together and the blood to clot. Over a few weeks, the vessels turn into scar tissue and then fade, eventually becoming barely noticeable or invisible. Some blood vessels are more resistant and need additional treatments.
Laser treatment
We pass a laser over the vein so that light energy can make its way through the skin. It helps liquefy the coagulated blood confined in the vessel, and your lymphatic system then simply rinses it out.
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Spider vein treatment is quick and involves minimal discomfort.
If you still have questions about our spider vein treatments, come in for a consultation with Dr. Rao. He will take the time to determine whether you are a good candidate for the procedure. We invite you to a welcoming environment where you can expect to be listened to and understood.
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