Spider Veins

Vascular Solutions

Vein Specialists located in Charlotte, NC

Despite their small size, spider veins have a tremendous impact on your appearance, as clusters of dark veins blemish your legs. Peter Ford, MD, FACS, RPVI, and the qualified team at Vascular Solutions, located in Charlotte, North Carolina, have extensive experience safely eliminating spider veins. To learn more about your treatment options, call the office, or request an appointment online today.

704-544-7535

Spider Veins Q & A

What causes spider veins?

Spider veins appear when tiny veins near the skin’s surface become enlarged and visible. When the cluster of veins emerges, they take on a web-like appearance, which is why they’re called spider veins. Spider veins don’t pose a threat to your health. They’re primarily a cosmetic problem that the team at Vascular Solutions can solve.

What symptoms develop due to spider veins?

Most patients with spider veins don’t experience symptoms. In rare cases, spider veins cause tingling, burning, or localized discomfort. You’re more likely to have symptoms when you have clusters of spider veins, or a problem exists in the larger underlying veins.

What treatment options do I have for spider veins?

The team at Vascular Solutions treats spider veins with sclerotherapy or laser leg vein treatment.

Sclerotherapy

Your provider performs sclerotherapy by injecting a medicine called Asclera® into the spider veins. Asclera makes the veins contract, and over time, the veins disappear as your body reabsorbs them.

In some cases, your Vascular Solutions provider may perform ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy. Ultrasound allows them to map your veins and accurately guide the injection.

Sclerotherapy is ideally suited for average-sized spider veins (1-3mm in diameter). Laser treatment is often a better option when spider veins are less than 1mm in diameter.

Laser leg vein treatment

The team at Vascular Solutions performs laser leg vein treatment using one of today’s most advanced lasers, the Cynosure ICON®. After placing the handheld device against your skin, the laser’s energy safely passes through your skin. The targeted veins absorb the energy, destroying the veins without harming the surrounding tissues.

How many laser sessions will I need to eliminate spider veins?

One laser session only takes 30 minutes. During that time, you’ll have little to no discomfort. You should see an improvement after your first treatment. However, most patients need up to three sessions to completely eliminate their spider veins.

What should I expect after laser treatment for spider veins?

You can get back to most of your usual daily activities as soon as you finish your laser treatment. The team at Vascular Solutions recommends that you:

Avoid strenuous exercise for the first week
Wear compression stockings for 3-7 days
Avoid prolonged sun exposure for 4-8 weeks

Your skin is more sensitive to sunlight after a laser treatment. It’s important to use an SPF-30 or higher sunscreen while you heal.

If you’re ready to eliminate unsightly spider veins, call Vascular Solutions or request an appointment online today.