What are Spider Veins?
Spider veins or varicose veins are a skin (and vein) condition that are a result of damaged or improperly functioning veins. They are typically not painful and are harmless but nonetheless present a cosmetic issue for many individuals.
Spider veins can blue, purple, or red. They look like thin lines or “webs” on the skin, which is why they are called spider veins. They are a result of blood flow issues which cause the veins to enlarge as you see. Many people seek Spider Vein Treatment to repair these damaged veins.
What Causes Spider Veins?
Spider veins are a result of blood pooling and enlarging the veins. This happens because veins rely on a valve system to keep blood flowing unidirectionally—that direction being towards your heart. If you have ever gotten deep tissue or massage work done, note how carefully your masseuse will massage towards your heart instead of away when doing deeper tissue work. Veins that have become enlarged as such have poorly functioning valves (which would prevent backflow of blood).
Anything that can damage your veins will cause the appearance of spider veins. Like many skin conditions, excessive sun exposure can cause the tiny blood vessels in your face to burst and give the appearance of spider veins.
Besides genetic factors that are outside of our control, common lifestyle factors can be a cause of the development of spider veins. Prolonged sitting, as well as standing, are notable contributors to the condition. Unsurprising, as people who stand on their feet all day—such as healthcare workers, are often a significant demographic of people searching for treatment for both spider veins and varicose veins. This is because the legs are the furthest place in your body away from the heart, and blood flow must work against gravity. This is made worse when someone is standing for sitting for a long period of time without moving.
What are Spider Vein Treatments?
At The Herschthal Practice, we use laser vein treatment to address spider veins. Our choice of tool is the Excel V laser—a non-invasive laser that targets blood vessels from the skin’s surface. The beauty of this tool is that we can change the wavelength of the energy the laser outputs which allows us to modify the treatment to suit a variety of skin types.
During treatment, we will position the handheld device over the affected areas, and it will emit green laser energy which will target the veins without targeting the surrounding areas. This process has minimal, if any, discomfort due to the cooling component that is a part of the Excel V laser.
As a result, this non-invasive procedure has no downtime required. As typical of laser skin treatments, there will be some redness or sensitivity in the treatment zone for a few days.
What Else Can Be Done about Spider Veins?
If you are waiting to receive treatment for your spider veins or would like to know if there is something you can do to help prevent the appearance of spider veins for future reference, there are some solutions—namely compression.
Compression stockings or socks can help prevent spider veins by improving blood flow to those areas (the legs) which typically see them the most. Compression can also reduce the incidence of swelling in the legs which can lower the risk of blood clots. They are a great tool for people who are on their feet all day.
Some compression stockings can only be acquired through prescription due to their strength, speak to your primary care provider for more information on whether that would be applicable for you.
Spider Vein Treatment Boca Raton FL
Spider veins are typically harmless, but they present a very real aesthetic concern for most people. If you are one of those people, visit us at The Herschthal Practice to receive laser treatment that can reduce the appearance of your spider veins.
Dr. Jordana or David Herschthal would be glad to consult with you and decide the best course of action for this and all of your other aesthetic dermatology needs.
Contact us here or book an appointment online. We hope to hear from you soon!
