Effective Spider Vein Treatment

Spider Veins

Spider veins are small, visible veins on the skin. They may be red or purple lines forming a spider-like pattern. Unlike varicose veins, they don’t protrude from the skin. They can cluster together and look like your legs are bruised, which is why many people think they may have varicose veins.

Telangiectasias are the finest, bright red ones; slightly deeper, purplish ones are known as reticular veins. On the face, they’re called facial veins.

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Causes and Concerns

What Causes Spider Veins?

Spider veins are common and become more frequent with age. About half of all women have them by age 50. Hormonal influences such as pregnancy, taking contraceptive pills or hormone replacement therapy also increases the chances of developing spider veins. Sun damage may encourage them to appear on your face. Men may also have spider veins and teleangiectasias on their faces and legs.

The main risk factors for getting spiders veins are:

  • A family history
  • Being female
  • Already having varicose veins
  • Sun damage

Are spider veins a cause for concern?

Most spider veins have no symptoms. If you have aching, itching, burning or throbbing legs it may indicate you have underlying varicose veins. Varicose veins are not always visible.

Occasionally, spider veins on the ankles or feet may bleed, which might also indicate you have underlying varicose veins.

If you experience these symptoms, we recommend an ultrasound scan to investigate further.

Treatment Options for Spider Veins

Skin Laser Treatment for Spider Veins

At Pulse Laser Aesthetics we treat spider veins on the legs and face with our high-spec vascular laser. Laser heat is projected directly at these small veins so they collapse and eventually fade. Three to six laser sessions are typically needed to achieve the best results. Spider vein treatments are available in our Auckland and Wellington clinics.

Sclerotherapy Treatment for Small Veins

Small veins can also be treated with sclerotherapy or microsclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy can improve the look of both varicose veins and spider veins and reduce painful symptoms, like aching, throbbing and cramping.

Sclerotherapy is usually used when our specialist team has diagnosed varicose veins. It may be performed as part of your initial varicose vein treatment, as a "tidy-up" treatment after your varicose vein treatment or simply for the treatment of small varicose veins, reticular and spider veins.

See our treatment options for varicose veins

Please contact us if you have some of the symptoms above for varicose veins. We will recommend you have an ultrasound scan with us to find out more. An ultrasound scan provides our specialist team with a map of your veins and arteries so we can confirm a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Our specialist team will let you know the best option for your varicose veins, spider veins and facial veins.

Ready for clearer, healthier-looking skin?

Share your goals with the Pulse Health team and receive a treatment plan tailored to your circulation and lifestyle.

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