Spider veins are well named: With just a little imagination, they do resemble the web of a spider. But creepy names aside, spider veins happen when there’s damage in these tiny blood vessels, and getting treatment isn’t just about having skin that looks clearer — it’s about improving overall vascular health, too.
At Laser & Varicose Vein Treatment Center, Inam Haq, MD, FACS, and Sushilkumar Samant, MD, FACS, help patients eliminate unsightly spider veins using the most advanced techniques, including laser vein treatment. Here’s how laser treatment works and how it can help you improve your vein health.
Also called telangiectasia, spider veins happen when tiny blood vessels near the surface of your skin weaken, often due to pressure in the larger veins. As pressure mounts, these blood vessels widen and dilate, making them more visible through your skin.
Many factors contribute to spider vein formation. While injury can certainly play a role, some people develop spider veins as a result of smoking, hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause, or lifestyle habits like spending a lot of time sitting or standing.
Weight gain, sun damage, and even age-related changes can play roles, and so can your genes — if you have family members with spider veins, you're more likely to have them, as well.
Spider veins can be a cosmetic concern, but they can cause other symptoms, such as itching, particularly when you have multiple spider veins in a localized area.
Sclerotherapy was once the only way to treat spider veins, and while that technique is still effective, modern medical lasers offer an alternative. The lasers we use to treat spider veins deliver focused beams of light energy directly to the vein.
After an initial evaluation, your treatment begins by numbing the skin around the damaged blood vessels. For endovenous laser therapy, we make a tiny puncture over the affected area. This tiny incision is just large enough to accommodate a catheter.
Releasing bursts of laser energy causes controlled damage in the lining of the vessel. Over time, these tiny microinjuries cause the vessel walls to collapse, preventing future blood flow. Blood is rerouted to neighboring healthy veins, and your body eventually absorbs the vessel material and eliminates it through its natural waste system.
Once your treatment is complete, we cover the puncture wound with a bandage. There’s no prolonged downtime following endovenous laser therapy, but it’s a good idea to avoid strenuous activity for a brief time afterward and to limit sun exposure to aid in healing.
With state-of-the-art treatment at Laser & Varicose Vein Treatment Center, you can enjoy clearer skin and eliminate any discomfort, all while optimizing your circulation now and for years to come.
To learn more about laser treatment for spider veins and varicose veins, request an appointment online or over the phone today at our locations in Staten Island’s Midland Beach or Borough Park, Brooklyn, New York.
