Spider veins and small varicose veins can form nearly anywhere on the body but are most commonly found on the face, hands, and legs. These visible networks of red, blue or purple lines get their name because they resemble a spider’s web, starburst pattern or the branches of a tree. While spider veins are not usually painful, they can become unsightly as the networks enlarge.
Dr. Leslie Smith offers both laser vein treatment and injectable procedures using Asclera for uncomplicated spider and small varicose veins. Treatment of spider veins can yield a dramatic improvement in the aesthetics of the treatment area. In most cases, veins are eliminated and will not reappear.
What Causes Spider Veins
There are different reasons why spider veins might occur. Those that appear on the legs are primarily due to genetics, which means if your mother or father have spider veins, you are more likely to do so as well. Hormonal fluctuations, such as those seen during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, may also contribute to those visible vein networks. This may explain to a degree why women are more prone to develop spider veins and broken capillaries.
In some cases, spider veins on the legs might be a noticeable sign of a vein condition below the skin’s surface, known as chronic venous insufficiency or CVI. This disorder occurs when larger veins stop working properly, allowing blood to pool inside. When spider veins are a symptom of CVI, physical symptoms might also be present, such as aching or heaviness in the legs at the end of the day. If you experience discomfort with your spider veins, it is best to be assessed by a vein specialist that can address the underlying problem before having veins treated at Sapphire Advanced Aesthetics.
Spider veins on the face can largely be attributed to skin damaged by excess sun exposure. This cause is most frequently seen in individuals with fair complexions. Trauma to the skin, excessive use of alcohol or skin conditions like rosacea can also contribute to facial veins. Some medications, particularly anabolic steroids are also factors to be considered when determining a cause.
Benefits of Spider Vein Treatment
If you are unhappy with the appearance of your spider veins, there are many good reasons to seek treatment today:
- Treatments are not invasive and performed as office procedures
- Discomfort during treatment is minimal and there is no downtime afterward
- Visible veins are eliminated for long-lasting results
- Many patients only require one treatment session to achieve their desired outcome
Dr. Smith features two proven treatment options for spider and small varicose veins, allowing her to customize treatment to the needs and desired results of each of her patients. Her experience with both procedures ensures you will receive treatment that is both safe and successful for you.
How does it Work?
Asclera is an injectable treatment offered by Dr. Smith to treat uncomplicated veins. This minimally-invasive procedure involves the injection of medication into the affected veins, which damages the lining of the blood vessel, so the vessel seals closed. Over time, the collapsed vein will be absorbed by the body and replaced with tissue, while you see the vein disappear from the skin’s surface.
Asclera is a comfortable procedure with little or no downtime. A typical session with Dr. Smith lasts about thirty minutes, depending on the specific area to be treated. Dr. Smith will administer the injections and then apply compression with a stocking or bandage to encourage healthy blood flow in the area. The procedure does not require any anesthesia, which means there is no need for a recovery period and you can drive yourself home from your procedure if you like.
Spider Vein Treatment Recovery
There should be no prolonged post-treatment discomfort. Patients are asked to avoid long flights, extended periods of sitting or standing, sunbathing and heavy exercise for three to four days following treatment. Compression stockings may be worn for a few days to promote the healing of the treated veins.
Pricing for Spider Vein Treatment
Pricing for Asclera treatments will vary based on the number of veins to be treated and the amount of medication needed to achieve the desired results. Dr. Smith will be able to provide you with a more precise estimate of the cost of your procedure at your initial consultation. Pricing at Sapphire Advanced Aesthetics is competitive for our Minneapolis/St. Paul patients.
Spider Vein Treatment FAQs
What is the Difference between Spider and Varicose Veins?
Spider veins usually appear on the skin’s surface in a network of red, blue or purple lines. The veins may be caused by many different factors, including sun exposure and trauma to the skin. Varicose veins are more extensive than spider veins and may protrude in a rope-like fashion up the leg. Vessels may be blue, purple or flesh-colored. The most common culprit in the formation of varicose veins is chronic venous insufficiency, which can be treated by eliminating the damaged vessel.
What is Asclera?
Asclera is a prescription medication approved by the FDA for the treatment of uncomplicated spider veins and small varicose veins. The medication is injected directly into the damaged vessel, where it damages the lining of the vein to seal it closed. The collapsed vein can then be reabsorbed by the body while blood is rerouted to healthy veins nearby.
Is the Treatment Painful?
Asclera injections are relatively comfortable and do not require any anesthesia. Patients typically feel a burning sensation as the medication is administered into the vessel, but the feeling is short-lived. There is no significant discomfort after Asclera treatments, so patients usually head back to work and their daily schedules immediately following treatment.
Are the Results Permanent?
Because the vein is eliminated from the body, the results of Asclera are considered very long-lasting. It is possible that additional spider veins could form in the area, requiring another treatment to maintain your positive aesthetic results.
How Many Treatments are Needed?
While some patients achieve their desired results in just one Asclera treatment session, others may need a second procedure to complete their aesthetic goals. This may be particularly true for patients that want many spider veins treated since Dr. Smith is limited in how many injections she can do in a single treatment. At your initial consultation, Dr. Smith should be able to give you a better idea of what will be required to achieve your best outcome. Asclera is a comfortable, minimally-invasive way to say goodbye to unsightly spider veins for good. To find out if you are a candidate for this procedure, contact Sapphire Advanced Aesthetics today at 952- 460-1970.