Spider Vein Removal FAQ

Spider veins comprise a small group of thin blood vessels near the surface of one’s skin. Also known as reticular veins, they appear as a sunburst or spiderweb on one’s skin. Typically, spider veins are blue or red. They can be anywhere, but they appear most often on a person’s legs, face, or chest. Researchers estimate more than 50% of American men and women of all ages have spider veins.

Spider veins share many of the same causes as varicose veins. Heredity plays a significant factor in the development of spider veins, but other causes include weight gain, trauma, hormonal factors, pregnancy, and excessive sun exposure. Additionally, persons who must stand or sit for long periods are at higher risk of developing spider veins.

The most obvious symptom of spider veins is the unique spiderweb appearance that develops as a result of the twisted and turned blue and red vessels. Aesthetic reasons are why many individuals seek spider vein treatment and removal services at Island Vein Specialists. But there are a handful of problematic and uncomfortable symptoms that accompany spider veins’ unwanted appearance. Among these symptoms are aches and pains, heaviness, burning, itching, and night cramps.

Spider veins cannot be prevented entirely, but you can lower your risk of developing them by staying in good shape. Exercising regularly will improve your strength and circulation, which minimizes your chances of spider vein development. It is also advisable to elevate your legs when possible and avoid standing and sitting for long stretches.

Island Vein Specialists is committed to providing treatment for patients in West Islip, NY and Mineola, NY who suffer from spider veins. In addition to helping ensure confidence in the way your legs and face look, we want you to be forever comfortable and free of venous issues. To help accomplish our mission, we offer multiple forms of spider vein removal and treatment, including:

Sclerotherapy

Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy is among the most popular spider vein treatment options. To perform this technique, our medical professionals will inject sclerosant directly into a vein to stop blood flow and shut it down. We can complete this procedure in a half-hour or less at our vein treatment clinics on Long Island, NY. You may experience slight discomfort at the injection site for a few minutes, but the sensation will go away on its own. There is no minimum recovery period for this method, but it is best to avoid strenuous exercise for at least a week. Sclerotherapy is successful for four out of every five patients.

Laser Therapy

We can also perform laser therapy techniques to heat spider veins and cause them to collapse. We will use local anesthesia to ensure you remain comfortable throughout the process, which may include three to five sessions. There is minimal downtime following laser therapy as well.

Every treatment plan is unique to a patient. However, treatments such as sclerotherapy are significantly less expensive than surgery and require far less downtime. Visit either of our convenient Long Island clinics for a consultation to learn more about expenses and what to expect from spider vein treatments.