Laser vein treatment can help patients find relief from spider veins through advanced laser technology. Veins are the natural circulation system that carry blood throughout your body, and the outer layer of these small tubes is comprised of collagen and elastic fibers. Veins help maintain the proper functions of your body, but when they become distorted, twisted, or bulging, they can cause pain, discomfort, and embarrassment. At Sutton Place Dermatology, we are dedicated to providing the most up-to-date varicose vein treatments and spider vein treatment options available while always putting your personal care and comfort first.
Spider veins are denoted by visible and often unsightly veins that appear on the surface of the skin. They affect women more often than men. Spider veins are small and may appear to be blue, purple, or red in color due to the vessels that turn and twist. They most commonly occur on the face, arms, and legs. The term spider vein derives from the dilated capillaries on the skin that resemble the legs of a spider. This condition is most common among older men and women and expecting mothers, and in some cases, spider veins can cause pain, burning, stinging, or aching, which can be worsened by prolonged standing.
Common causes for spider veins include:
Treatment for varicose veins and spider veins include sclerotherapy, and spider veins can also be treated with laser vein removal. Unlike traditional vein removal procedures, these up-to-date treatments allow for less downtime and more beautiful results.
Varicose veins are raised, swollen blood cells that are turned, curved, or bowed. They may be dark purple or blue in color and appear to bulge from the skin in a twisted manner. The most common place for varicose veins to develop and become visible is on the legs. Both spider veins and varicose veins can be hereditary. On top of being aesthetically displeasing, varicose veins can be uncomfortable and disrupt your daily life, as common symptoms of varicose veins include painful aching or cramping of the legs, restlessness, tingling, stinging, or throbbing.
Laser vein removal utilizes a laser that selectively targets and destroys the small blood vessels of the affected area. This procedure reduces the prominence of spider veins, but it does not negatively affect or damage any healthy skin or veins. The light energy in the laser vein removal procedure is absorbed by the hemoglobin of your blood within the blood vessel and not by the surrounding tissue. This ensures that only the affected veins are targeted and treated properly to restore a smooth complexion.
Sclerotherapy treatment uses a solution of natural salt water (saline) that is injected through a micro-needle into the problematic veins. Following a sclerotherapy treatment, this solution will slowly break down only the unhealthy tissue of varicose or spider veins. After your sclerotherapy procedure, your veins will initially collapse. As time progresses, these veins will fade away and break down until you are only left with a smooth complexion and healthy veins.
Sclerotherapy treatment is an outpatient procedure that in most cases, requires no downtime or recovery time. A sclerotherapy procedure may take twenty to thirty minutes to complete in total. Our dermatologists will use a specifically designed light to view your veins prior to the injection to promote the easiest and most comfortable procedure possible.
In most cases, a small bandage will be applied to the injection site to promote the healthy healing process, and our dermatologists may advise you to wear support stockings for one to two weeks after the procedure. No anesthesia is needed for a sclerotherapy treatment, and most treatments only require one injection. For some treatments, our dermatologists may need to inject more than one dose after the initial sclerotherapy procedure for the most effective results. The number of injections and sclerotherapy treatments is dependent on the quantity and severity of your varicose or spider veins and will be discussed beforehand.
Our dermatologists would be glad to discuss laser vein removal or sclerotherapy with you. To request a personal consultation with our dermatologists to discuss laser vein removal or sclerotherapy, please request an appointment online or call 212.838.0270.
