Unsightly Spider Veins: A Cosmetic Problem or Something More…
If spider veins have you covering up your legs and feeling a sense of dread at the very thought of wearing a bathing suit, you are not alone. The older you get, you probably notice more of these bright red and blue thread veins showing up close to the skin on your legs and feet. These veins stretch and become prominent from abnormal venous blood flow that increases the pressure within them. When spider veins occur without other venous disorders and symptoms, they are considered to be medically insignificant and more of an aesthetic concern.
When spider veins are more than a cosmetic concern
Spider veins on the legs may be a sign of more serious venous disease, particularly when associated with other vascular symptoms such as aching burning pain and a feeling of tired legs that increases after long periods of standing or activity. Restless legs, itchy legs and swelling may also be indicative of an underlying venous problem.
When you come to VSA for spider vein treatment, we will also evaluate you for signs of venous disease. If present, your treatment is addressed before any cosmetic work is provided. This approach minimizes the risk of recurring spider veins and can prevent the occurrence of serious blood clots, varicose veins and leg ulcers. Should we find venous disease to be your problem, you may be entitled to insurance benefits for diagnosis and treatment.
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State-of-the-Art Aesthetic Spider Vein Treatments
Spider veins may be eliminated with a laser, sclerotherapy, or a combination of both procedures. Sclerotherapy is a rather simple procedure of injecting spider veins with an agent that causes them to collapse. When spider veins are too small to inject, laser spider vein treatment provides a safe, non-invasive and highly effective treatment alternative. We primarily use the 940 nm Medipulse laser system, a cutting edge technology that makes spider veins disappear right before the patient’s eyes and with very little discomfort.
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Vein Treatment Common Questions
An underlying venous problem can lead to more serious problems such as blood clots, bleeding, skin pigmentation and ulcers. Relatively simple procedures can eliminate these conditions before they become catastrophic and life threatening events. Treatments for venous diseases are generally covered by health insurance plans and Medicare.
During your initial visit, all of the following are provided:
- Office consultation with physician
- Ultrasound screening
- Diagnosis and treatment plan
- Comfortable, relaxed environment
- Professional caring staff specializing in state-of-the-art vein treatment
- Awake but comfortable with local anesthesia
- No incisions or sutures (stitches)
- Minimal to no scarring
- All procedures done through a simple needle stick
- Most patients do not require pre-medication and can drive themselves to and from the procedure
- Little downtime – resume walking the same day
- Post operative discomfort managed through OTC pain medicine
Besides people with an obvious vein problem (bulging veins), the following symptoms may be related to underlying venous disease:
- Painful and Tender legs
- Restless legs
- Itchy legs
- Swollen legs
- Strange sensations on the legs
- Leathery skin on the legs
- Skin discoloration on the legs
- Leg ulcers
When your venous screening exam reveals the presence of venous disease, we accept most insurance coverages including Medicare.
Spider Vein Treatment Common Questions
Bright red to blue spider veins commonly develop close to the skin’s surface from abnormal venous blood flow causing them to stretch and become enlarged. Also called thread veins, spider veins are a common, mild and often insignificant variation of varicose veins. They are frequently found on the legs and feet but can also occur on the face and upper body. Most patients who seek spider vein treatment are bothered by their unsightly appearance. Spider veins on the legs may be a sign of more serious venous disease, particularly when associated with symptoms such as aching burning pain, a feeling of tired legs that increases after long periods of standing or activity, restless legs, itchy skin, swelling and/or more advanced venous disease problems.
The development of spider veins is influenced by family history, trauma, hormonal influences, pregnancy, sedentary behavior and advancing age.
Spider veins may be associated with a venous problem that will progress if left untreated. Such problems can predispose a patient to developing phlebitis, painful blood clots in superficial veins and deep vein thrombosis, life-threatening blood clots in deeper veins. Untreated venous disease can also lead to bleeding, skin pigmentation and ulcers. Cosmetic spider vein treatments only eliminate existing veins. Treatments for venous disease prevent new spider and varicose veins from developing in other parts of the legs. Unlike cosmetic spider and varicose vein treatments, procedures for diagnosing and treating venous diseases are generally covered by health insurance and Medicare.
Aesthetic treatment for spider veins at VSA is individualized for each patient. Treatments include laser spider vein procedures, sclerotherapy or a combination administered during several sessions. Sclerotherapy is ideal for larger spider veins and involves injecting these veins with an agent that causes them to collapse. Lasers are a safe, non-invasive and highly effective treatment for those spider veins too small to inject. At VSA, laser spider vein treatment is primarily provided with a 940 nm Medipulse laser system. This cutting edge technology erases spider veins right before the patient’s eyes with very little discomfort.
After an evaluation to rule out an underlying venous disease problem in need of correction, we provide you with an aesthetic spider vein treatment plan. More about spider vein treatment includes:
- Treatments are provided in our office.
- You will be awake and comfortable during your procedure.
- Each treatment may be 30-60 minutes.
- Most patients require one to three treatments.
- Following treatment, spider veins are eliminated. Lasers and sclerotherapy may cause some temporary brownish splotches which fade in a few months.
- There are no side effects that will limit your activities after treatment. You can return to work or your daily schedule immediately following treatments.
An appropriate plan is determined during your initial screening exam. Click the tab below to request a spider vein treatment consultation.
More About Vein Treatment and VSA…
Get in touch with VSA
State-of-the-Art Vein Treatment
You are one step away from the most effective, technologically advanced procedures for the safe and virtually painless treatment of spider veins, varicose veins, venous leg ulcers and chronic venous insufficiency. These state-of-the-art aesthetic and medical procedures are fast, comfortable, without side effects, associated with a rapid recovery, and performed in the office while you remain awake. Procedures for the treatment of venous disease are generally covered by insurance and Medicare.
Contact Vein Specialists of Arizona (VSA)
- Address: 9515 W. Camelback Rd., Suite 108
Phoenix, AZ 85037
- Phone: (623) 428-0068
View Larger Map Vein Specialists of Arizona is conveniently located in Phoenix close to Anthem, Avondale, Buckeye, Camp Verde, Casa Grande, Cave Creek, Chandler, Cottonwood, Flagstaff, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Lakeside, Maryville, Mesa, Peoria, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Scottsdale, Sierra Vista, Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise, Tempe, Tucson and Yuma.
If spider veins have you covering up your legs and feeling a sense of dread at the very thought of wearing a bathing suit, you are not alone. The older you get, you probably notice more of these bright red and blue thread veins showing up close to the skin on your legs and feet. These veins stretch and become prominent from abnormal venous blood flow that increases the pressure within them. When spider veins occur without other venous disorders and symptoms, they are considered to be medically insignificant and more of an aesthetic concern.
Spider veins on the legs may be a sign of more serious venous disease, particularly when associated with other vascular symptoms such as aching burning pain and a feeling of tired legs that increases after long periods of standing or activity. Restless legs, itchy legs and swelling may also be indicative of an underlying venous problem.
