Spider Veins

What are Spider Veins?

Spider veins, medically diagnosed as Telangiectasias, are small, dilated blood vessels (between 0.5 and 1 millimeter in diameter) near the surface of the skin. These superficial blood vessels can be red, blue, or purple in color. Spider veins most commonly occur on the legs, but they are also found on the face or other areas of the skin surface. These dilated blood vessels may be short, about the width of a hair, and form a root-like network of patterns.

While some have the appearance of a spider web, others may resemble a tree with branches. As every anatomy is slightly unique in each individual, spider veins will look different on everyone. Some patients may have small clusters of spider veins in light patches, while others may have darker, more severe spider vein networks covering an entire leg.

     spiderIMAGE_DRYVPOPOV

If left untreated, spider veins can develop and progress.

 

Spider Veins Causes

  • GENETIC INHERITANCE

  • SMOKING

  • AGING

  • TRAUMA

  • OBESITY

  • PREGANCY

  • CHILDBIRTH

  • STANDING FOR LONG PERIODS

The exact cause of the spider veins on an individual patient is difficult to determine. There are different causes for their development and they can occur under various conditions. Exposure to extreme temperature variations, heat damage, trauma damage, wind and sun damage, aging, obesity and genetic inheritance are among the most common causes of spider veins. Both men and women can be afflicted with this problem, particularly with aging. It may perhaps be more commonly observed in women, due to the connection of spider veins to pregnancy and childbirth, although the extra gain in weight and the strain of childbirth will be the contributory factors, rather than any genetic variation particular to the sex of the patient. People who spend large amounts of time outdoors in sun and wind, possibly due to their occupational responsibilities, have also been found to be more susceptible to spider vein problems.
 

 

Spider Vein Treatment

For the treatment of spider veins, we provide an individualized approach to care as the condition will be unique to each person. One of the most well-known and effective treatments for spider veins is liquid Sclerotherapy. Foam sclerotherapy is not used to treat spider veins, it is used for larger varicosities, perforator veins and, in some cases, varicose veins. Liquid sclerotherapy involves injecting a sclerosing solution directly into the affected spider veins, causing them to dissipate. This procedure is performed in the doctor’s rooms. A typical session of sclerotherapy takes approximately 45 minutes to perform. However, it can take up to or over an hour to perform for cases that are more extensive. The first session can also take longer to perform as it is often the most intensive. Sessions get progressively less and less intensive as the treatment begins to take effect. It is not unusual to require more than one treatment session to attain the desired results, particularly for more extensive leg veins.

Typically a patient will have 2 or 3 sessions but can require any amount of sessions. The number of veins injected per session can vary, depending on the size, appearance and location of the veins, as well as, the patient’s overall medical condition. Dr. Popov will provide you with an approximate duration that the particular session should take and estimate the number of treatments that will be required after examining your legs. Dr. Popov always personally performs your sclerotherapy session. Mild cases of spider veins may also be treated with compression stockings as compression of the veins promotes a more normal blood flow.

Compression stocking therapy can potentially reduce the number of new spider vein formations on the legs, but it cannot eliminate the veins that have already formed. Compression can greatly reduce the progression of the development of spider veins. Our aim is to rid you of your unsightly veins, greatly reduce further progression of the appearance of spider veins and to restore the appearance of your legs back to a more youthful appearance.
Learn more about treatment methods

 

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN RECEIVING PROFESSIONAL VEIN TREATMENT, PLEASE CONTACT US ON (011) 784-2804, YOU CAN ALSO GO TO OUR CONTACT PAGE OR ON OUR BOOK AN APPOINTMENT FORM .
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