If you have small red and blue veins that have appeared on your skin, you may be thinking what causes spider veins?
While the thought of having any type of spider on your body frightens you, having spider veins may make you self-conscious and have an impact on your social life and clothing choices.
In this latest blog from Define Laser & Cosmetic Clinic, we talk about why spider veins appear on your body and the best ways to treat them.
What causes spider veins?
Spider veins are small, damaged veins that can appear on the surface of the legs or face. They can be blue, purple or red in colour and look like thin lines but the veins themselves are not painful.
In the legs, spider veins can occur when the valves inside the veins stop working properly.
If the valve becomes weak or damaged, the blood will struggle to flow in the correct direction and it begins to pool inside the vein. Over time, this will cause a bulge in the vein which then branches out causing the spider vein.
Do they go away without treatment?
In some cases spider veins can disappear on their own. Pregnancy or weight gain can create spider veins but they will usually disappear after the pregnancy or weight loss.
Treatment options
There are various treatment options ranging from compression stockings and socks, sclerotherapy – which involves injecting the vein and laser.
Laser treatment is known as a very effective treatment for spider veins as it is reasonably short and non-invasive. Laser treatments tend to be less invasive and less painful. In the procedure, the light beam used causes the spider vein to clot and dry up. Suitable analgesia is discussed prior to the procedure which can be briefly uncomfortable during the treatment. Downtime is approximately 6 weeks to allow for fading of the veins or bruising before the subsequent laser session.
How to avoid them
As there is not enough knowledge to know what causes spider veins, we can’t say exactly how to prevent them.
However, maintaining a healthy weight and staying fit is helpful, as well as not standing or crossing your legs for a long period of time.
Treating Spider Veins
Call Define Laser & Cosmetic Clinic now on (07) 3325 5775 to discuss your options or send an online enquiry here.
Define Laser has the latest laser technology and a qualified doctor to tailor our laser and cosmetic treatments especially to you.
Our Albany Creek clinic is at a convenient location with ample parking at 3/25 Ferguson Street, Albany Creek.
With a range of services including laser skin treatments, injectables, laser hair removal and skin treatments we have a solution for you.
Enquire online here to book, or call us on 07 3325 5775.
