Spider veins are tiny thread-like veins that appear just beneath the surface of your skin and look like spider webs on your legs and/or face.  They may be red, blue, or purple in color. Although spider veins are not typically painful, they may become raised to the touch.

Spider veins result from circulatory issues in which certain valves interfere with the normal flow of blood through your veins. Under normal circumstances, valves in the circulatory system open to allow blood to pass through, close to prevent the blood from traveling backward. When any of these valves stop functioning properly, blood may begin to travel backward through the vein. This causes the vein walls to weaken and allows the blood to pool in the vein, forming a dark web of blood that is visible beneath the surface of the skin.

While spider veins don’t require treatment, their appearance is annoying, and many patients seek spider vein treatment as a cosmetic procedure. While non-invasive treatments such as wearing a supported host may offer some relief, chances are this won’t clear up your veins enough to make a dramatic difference in your appearance.

Depending on your condition, Dr. Bachilo may recommend minimally invasive treatments, such as laser treatment, sclerotherapy or she may recommend surgery to destroy or remove the veins more effectively. Spider vein surgery is generally a straightforward procedure that uses minimally invasive techniques and requires tiny, inconspicuous incisions.

Another common and widely used treatment for spider veins is sclerotherapy, which involves injecting fluid into the veins with a small needle. Still, endovenous laser ablation of EVLT is rapidly gaining widespread popularity among doctors and patients due to its increased effectiveness and ease of use.

Each treatment has its advantages and disadvantages. Sclerotherapy works better on larger veins, but many patients don’t want to deal with needles and injections. Laser therapy is effective for smaller veins but may produce skin pigment loss, making it inappropriate for darker-skinned individuals.

In addition to treating your existing spider veins, Dr. Bachilo will also provide tips and advice to keep you from developing additional spider veins. Spider veins often form when people stand or sit for long periods of time, so you may need to incorporate more exercise into your daily life and eat healthy foods to support vein health.  Spider veins may also be the body’s response to carrying excessive weight, so losing weight may help to prevent the formation of new spider veins.