Mevish Jaffer
In the fashion savvy world we live in today, looking your best is a trend that never goes out of style. However, many individuals find this challenging due to unsightly blemishes or scars caused by spider veins. Much like the name implies, spider veins are basically small thread-like veins, which are usually blue-green, purple or red in color. Most people develop spider veins on different areas on their legs, such as the ankle, thigh and calf regions. It’s also common for others to have spider veins on their face.
Many individuals are thought to form spider veins as a result of the following reasons:
- Being over-weight
- Excessive standing on the job
- Genetics
- Hormonal changes due to certain types of medications
- Pregnancy
There are also other factors that come into play, including the individual’s gender and age. For example, females are typically apt to get spider veins more than males, and younger people are generally not as affected by the condition at all.
Spider veins are not harmful in most cases; however the unattractive appearance they tend to form are a direct result of the twisting and breaking of veins which take place under a person’s skin. Regardless of the exact cause for the condition, most people who suffer from spider veins prefer to undergo treatment. Although various types of makeup or concealer are often thought to be the best thing to cover up spider veins, the advancement of technology is now enabling individuals to undergo different types of spider vein treatment options in order to get rid of the problem permanently.
It’s important for individuals to compile and study as much information about spider veins as possible prior to determining the type of spider vein treatment which would work best for their situation.
Another important factor to consider is the severity of the problem. As the veins become worse over time, individuals can often experience certain pains and cramping. Although most of the spider vein treatment plans that individuals can consider involve skin resurfacing, less severe cases can usually be covered up with specialized stockings. The purpose of the stockings is to apply pressure on the legs in an effort to alleviate the appearance of spider veins.
Sclerotherapy
Other spider vein treatment options include the use of sclerotherapy and lasers. Sclerotherapy treatment for spider veins incorporates the use of a saline mixture, which is directly injected into the veins in order to destroy them. Once individuals receive this type of injection, the appearance of their current spider veins is completely eliminated.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy is another popular alternative for spider vein removal. Laser treatments typically work by using heat energy to destroy the veins which are causing the condition. Although the feeling of pain during laser procedures is often minimal, it’s common for some patients to feel a slight burning sensation.
The associated risks involved with laser therapy are also nominal; however it’s still important for individuals to be aware of them. Blood clots can sometimes be a threat, and individuals can typically expect to have some swelling and bruising once the procedure is completed. Fortunately, this only lasts for a short period of time.
Spider Vein Treatment Cost
The cost for the different types of spider vein treatments mentioned above tends to fluctuate based on the severity of the condition. Because they are considered to be cosmetic procedures, insurance companies generally do not provide coverage. However, individuals can often work out some type of financing plan with different treatment centers.
The most obvious and number one reason why individuals choose to get rid of spider veins is to improve the appearance of their skin. For those who are unable to afford skin resurfacing treatments for spider vein removal, it’s also possible to achieve healthier and younger looking skin by making some lifestyle changes. Although it’s not as much of a “quick fix,” changing your diet and staying fit by consistently exercising can also help to reduce the appearance of spider veins.
[page updated December 2008]